It does close for lunch from 12p.m.to 2p.m. 98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+, Heather Stern Wilensky, Tick off the main sights in Chiang Rai in a day by choosing this convenient full-day tour. Explore the ancient royal city of Chiang Saen, take a long-tail boat ride on the Khong River, and explore the Golden Triangle. Normally at temples you leave your shoes outside, but theres no way that would have worked here, there were just too many people. When my driver heard I was early for my bus, he recommended his favourite cafe, so I thought Id give it a try. Gemma was sincerely interested in making every minute of our trip count. The bridge represented rising above desire on the journey to purity. Whenvisiting the White Templeor any other temple in Thailand, you must respect Thai culture and beliefs. Numbers are limited to a maximum of nine people to ensure a small-group experience with your professional guide. From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. Leave all the booking work to us, including international and internal Our driver in Chiang Mai . When crossing the bridge, you must not stop or obstruct the path of anyone else. Bella was extremely responsive and helpful!! Visiting a one of the numerous Karen Long Neck villages in Thailand is one of the most exotic experiences on the planet. The White Temple, known to Thais as Wat Rong Khun, is a masterpiece of artistic brilliance and spiritual devotion that awaits travelers from around the world. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. 2 Weeks in Thailand 3 Perfect Thailand Itineraries, How Long to Spend in Thailand: Itinerary Ideas for Families/Couples, 2-Week Itineraries in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam: Best 3 Options, Thailand Weather in January: Which Island/Best Places to Visit, Thailand Weather in February: Which Island/Best Places to Visit, Thailand Weather in March: Temperature, Places to Visit, Travel Tips, Thailand Weather in April: Temperatures, Places to Visit, Songkran Festival, Thailand Weather in May: Too Hot & Rainy? Escape the city and discover more rural parts of northern Thailand during a tour of Chiang Rai. Get the personalized experience of a private tour. Meet and interact with Thailand's long neck women when you visit the Union of Hill . The Asia Highlights team deserves more stars than the maximum allowed because of continually going above and beyond all expectations. Pssst this post may contain affiliate links. 12 Jan Everything you need to know about getting from Chiang Mai to White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai is in this post If you are visiting Thailand, chances are you've heard of the famous Wat Rong Khun White Temple. Another standout feature of the White Temple is the restroom. Some Of The Best Desserts To Try In Chiang Mai, Thailand Travel | Temple hopping in Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park | Best Place For Ethical Thailand Elephant Interaction, Whats It Like To Stay At Hotel Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Wat Rong Khun White Temple In Chiang Rai | Everything You Need To Know, What You Can Expect At The Chiang Mai Train Station, A Glimpse Of The Expat Life In Chiang Mai, Smith Suites Chiang Mai | How a $425 apartment made a year of travel possible, Wat Rong Khun White Temple In Chiang Rai | Everything You Need To Know, How Matts Flights Can Help You Find Cheap Plane Tickets . Find tickets & tours worldwide. The bus took longer than I expected (about four hours) and the road was a bumpy one. Everyone I met on my travels recommended it, and showed me the most incredible pictures theyd taken of it. Explore the Mekong river on a longtail boat and enjoy a tasty lunch. Monica is a very sweet young lady who speaks excellent English via email/WhatsApp, and knows the importance of excellent customer service. I could have got a public bus, but after a long day, to be honest, figuring out the timetable and waiting around for one seemed like too much hassle. 2.6K Likes, 25 Comments. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. And walking around the temples veranda I got to admire the temple from different angles. Thats just one example of how far out of her way she went to make our trip easier and more enjoyable. Copyright 2022 KEERAKIT ENGINEERING Company Limited | All rights reserved. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. All the establishments, restaurants, and shops around the temple suffered from the lack of visitors. The White Temple in Chiang Rai is on top of the 'things to see' list of most travelers visiting Thailand. In fact, that was all I wanted to do in Chiang Rai during my second trip to Thailand. Debbie Woods. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email, Thailand Biennale exhibition at Wat Rong Khun. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. $49.00. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. The idea is to ring them all from start to finish and enjoy the hum that you hear. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Visit Baan Dum museum or Black house a house for National Artist Dr. Thawan Duchanee that uses the opposite tone of color to design all the things. Thank you, Albee. If the flight wasn't so long I would visit Southeast Asia more often. This melding of culturesis part of the vision of thedesigner and owner of the building, who isa world-famous visual artist. (888) 651-9785 Chat now Day Trips from Chiang Mai to White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Cultural Tours Car Tours Historical Tours Private Sightseeing Tours City Tours Walking Tours Religious Tours 4WD Tours Motor Sports Apr 2023, Peter Bongiovanni, 8.30 am. Thailand Weather in October: Still Rain? Unlike some tours that only cover the temples of Chiang Rai, this experience includes a visit to the famous Long Neck Tribal Village, where youll have the chance to pose for photographs with members of the tribe. If so, what kind of insurance does the company hold? 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Each time, Alisa provided me an updated itinerary with activities that matched my interests. transportation, visas, hotels, meals, and activities. I quickly learnt that all around the temple was contrasts between good and evil. Quickly access bookings. You can get to Wat Rong Khun in a few different ways from Chiang Mai: I will walk you through the pros and cons of each option. The food was also surprisingly good. Chiang Rai: White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House (Small Group) 75. Sitting on a mountaintop overlooking Chiang Mai, the sacred site is a serene place for prayer and meditation. In the year 1867 (BE 2410) the first people settled in this area. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Most of them haveagold trim and look lavish,but in this temple, the designer decided to go with something unique and chose the color white. All establishments around the temple have opened again. It was one of the best meals Id had in Thailand, and it was right opposite the bus station. Underneath the bridge to the temple were hundreds of hands reaching up, apparently symbolising desire. It does not store any personal data. It is well known that Kositpipat didn't want money to be a major influence in the building of the temple. The golden toilet building might have symbolised greed, but still, I felt like a royal whilst going for a wee. You can reach the White Temple using a public bus from platform 8 at Chiang Rai bus terminal number 1 (also known as the 'Old Bus Station'). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". You'll visit the famous Blue Temple and White Temple, see the architecture of the Baan Dam Museum, and meet members of the Karen community, who live in a nearby village. planning will be made easy with just one specialist throughout. Many people visit Chiang Rai as the next destination from Chiang Mai, but note this attraction is nearly 3 hours (173 km) away. The stairs will take you all the way to the top of the hill to the White Pagoda. There were a couple of coffee shops directly opposite the temple, and luckily there was one with a couple of seats free outside, facing the White Temple. The entrance looks like the gate to heaven with all the white statues and glistening mirrors in the sunlight. You wont have to worry about finding your way around or fitting in all the different sights, as all logistics will be taken care of for you. Overview. I particularly like his black and white paintings. You may be fooled into thinking theres not much else here as Ive been tricked a few times! Hours: 8 am 6 pm daily (hours are approximate). You could spend your time visiting each one, but, with more than 200 throughout the city, your feet may not thank you. More details can be found in our privacy policy. Upon arrival, see multiple temples, such as the White Temple and the Blue Temple; go to hot springs; and see the Golden Trianglewhere Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar meet. Wait, maybe the Golden Triangle is the other one. I am excluding air travel as an option because it makes no sense to fly to Chiang Rai. Cant wait for the trip. Discover Rong Khun Temple (also known as the White Temple); see the Golden Trianglewhere the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet; enjoy a boat trip, and visit the Karen Long Neck Hill Tribe too, with lunch included to save you the hassle of bringing food with you. Wat Rong Khun ( Thai: ), better known as the White Temple, is a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Pa O Don Chai, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. Pick up from your hotel in Chiang Mai city. This is only for the ubosot, the main building. The hand with the red nail polish symbolizes humans obsession with outer beauty. Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai:White-Black-Blue Temple-Golden Triangle-Keren-Boat Trip. To date, he has spent more than USD 30 million onthis project. The White temple was symbolic of purity and the tiny mirrors all over the temple were tactically placed to reflect the teachings of Buddha. If you are still looking for a fantastic accommodation, then we can recommend the Mora Boutique Hotel with pool or for backpackers the Hostel Baan Mai Kradan!. Completely paintedgold and featuring ornate decorations, this building represents thebodywhile the ubosot(ordination hall) represents the mind. To create a new list, please delete some old ones. Avoid wearing revealing clothes and always remove your shoes before entering any temple or house. Dont worry, its perfectly acceptable; the noise that is! Browse more than 400 sample itineraries across Asia. His son Tan and daughter Kanokwan are also fantastic artists in their own right. Everyone else pays an entrance fee of 100THB. In 1964 villagers constructed the ubosot, which later became the White Temple. Another visually stunning building at the White Temple is the Crematorium. Korea Trip, Japan-Thailand The bus was super easy to get, I just went to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, and got my ticket from the Green Bus ticket counter. Round-trip door-to-door transfers are included, which saves the hassle of waiting for buses. Inside I think was a small art gallery. Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. 9.00 am. People worship him as the god of fortune and success. During the pandemic, the temple has been closed for a long period. From Chiang Mai. Do your due diligence before booking your car transfer! Thanks so much! From here you want to look for this white gateway. The theme of good and evil continued throughout the rest of the complex, with modern figures like Spiderman, and Predators dotted about in trees or on benches. And Ive got to say, a highlight of the rest of the Wat Rong Khun grounds was the toilet. Archive Filed Under: Destinations, Travel Tagged With: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. Ending with an optional visit to the Karen Long Neck Villiage this day trip includes pick-up and drop-off to hotels in Chiang Mai, all Temple entrance fees, lunch and water. I was planning my honeymoon trip, and I changed the destination multiple times. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Join us on one of our samlor trips and support the drivers of Chiang Mai. I really enjoyed it, and would do it again in a heartbeat. This guide will take you through what you can expect when visiting Wat Rong Khunand why you should visit. Not much is known about the original temple ruinswhichwerelocated wherethepresentWat Rong Khun (or White Temple)stands. There are no gold trims anywherethe entire temple is in white. Easy, competitive price, front row tickets. This 13-hour temple tour from Chiang Mai includes pickup and drop-off at city hotels, lunch, and entrance fees, and its a fun, personal way to explore the sites of northern Thailand. Leave Chiang Mai across mountains and green valley enroute stop at Hot spring for relaxing. You can see it in the background of the photo above! The gold of these buildings symbolises mans desire and greed for money. Take a dip in the Mae Khachan hot springs. There are no shops near Wat Ban Pong or at the White Pagoda, so dont attempt the hike unless you have supplies! Travel time: 3 hours one way (could be longer depending on traffic) Wat Ban Pong and the white pagoda are both lovely temples to visit while in Chiang Mai. If you do so, it would symbolicallymeanthatyou are blocking their path into heaven. I cant say enough about how much we appreciate all the efforts, attention to details and immediate responses to all questions that Albee and her team provided. In its relatively short existence Wat Rong Khun has become the most famous and popular tourist attraction in Chiang Rai. She offered her amazing ideas to other tours I wanted. Taking photographs when inside the main building is forbidden,so please abide by that rule and any others that may be in place when visiting. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. The site became famous after Khositpipat took it upon himself to turn the ruins into what it is today one of Thailand's most popular temples.Rather than restore the original temple, he decided to rebuild itcompletelyusing his own money. 2. from $81.76. In the following years, the temple became a huge destination for Chinese visitors. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Even the modern creations have a hidden meaning to them. It is a unique and stunning structure that western people call the White Temple. Remember the first itinerary is a rough draft and you may modify it to suit your tastes. Traveling with a private driver-guide is a convenient, comfortable way toreachthe remote Golden Triangle area from Chiang Mai, visiting temples, markets, and villages as you go travel all the way to the borders of Laos and Myanmar. This is themain building at the White Temple. It must be said that the Chiang Rai clock tower is one of a kind. 70. from $49.13. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Dont worry if youve only got limited time to visit Chiang Rai; this time-saving tour from Chiang Mai helps you tick off multiple temples and local highlights in a day. Decorated and respected ata global level, Khositpipat began work on the site back in 1997 and has been adding to it ever since. You will enjoy your Chiangrai one day tour: Going through aprivate tour will help a lot withgettingtickets prepared in advance and the local guide will lead you through aless-crowded route. Taking a bus to get from Chiang Mai to White Temple is a safe, comfortable and less expensive alternative for traveling this route. So I set up my camera and tripod and started a time lapse of the busy crowds. Entrance Fee For The White Temple In Chiang Rai. The Ancient City of Chiang Mai a Historical Wonder, 23+ Ways To Celebrate Childrens Day Chiang Mai 2023, Crazy Cheap Somtum Slider Waterpark Lamphun, Incredible Villa San Pee Seua Resort Chiang Mai. The White temple was designed by Arjar Chamermchai Kositpipat a famous Thai visual artist. Most travellers often assume that the White Temple is in Chiang Mai when it is in fact in Chiang Rai. We got to the White Temple entrance, and had to take off our shoes and carry them with us. pace. Marvel at the White Temple Chiang Rai or Wat Rong Khun, a modern art temple built by a legendary Thai artist. If you want to get to Wat Rong Khun from Chiang Mai, there are lots of bus tours you can book with your hotel or hostel. Transfer cost: Prices are around 1,100 baht per day@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4-0_1-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',110,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ensquaredaired_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-110{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Most of the mythical creatures, gods,and other statues and decorations depict this. I know theres much more to do in Chiang Rai than just the White Temple, but I was strapped for time so I couldnt spend a few days in Chiang Rai like most people do. There are more than 30,000 temples in Thailand,but not many can claim to be as unique as the White Temple in Chiang Rai. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. This tour will take you to this temple as well as Wat Saeng Kaeo Phothiyan and Wat Huay Pla Kang, two beautiful, but lesser-known temples. I recommend Asia Highlights to everyone and look forward to using them again on any other trips to Asia in the future. We started our trip in Bangkok, where Mr. Prassert our tour guide, met us. Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai: White Temple-Black House-Blue Temple-Karen Village. To popular destinations, bus companies operate multiple trips per day, often round the clock at 30-60 minute intervals. Travelers can get to the temple entrance by hiking or riding a car, scooter, or songthaew. . Id hoped to get a perfect picture of the White Temple from the start of the bridge, but I should have realised that would be completely impossible with so many crowds. 13. The White Temple today is an indelible ornament of Chiang Mai tourism; only a few months ago a $3.3 million laser light show took place at Wat Rong Khun. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thailand Weather in July: Temperatures, Best Places to Visit, Thailand Weather in August: Temperature and Best Places to Go, Thailand Weather in September: Temperature, Best Places to Visit. At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey your dates, your destinations, at your pace. Observe the black house temple's dark and eerie displays. Its a lovely spot to meditate or just sit in peace. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. BANGKOK (AP) An ailing elephant that Thailand had presented to Sri Lanka more than two decades ago returned to his native land for medical treatment Sunday following allegations that the animal was badly abused while living at a Buddhist temple. Whether I had a small change to an activity, a question about one of the arrangements, or a change or destination, Alisa was helpful, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, providing me with updated options in an extremely timely manner. Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Instead I got up at 6am and set out for a day trip to Chiang Rais White Temple. Inside the ubosot there are murals that feature images of Western celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Hollywood movies such as the Matrix. So I started looking into how to plan a day trip there from Chiang Mai. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Everything you need to know about getting from Chiang Mai to White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai is in this post. If you have visited temples in Thailand before, you would know that white is usually not a color used inthem. This is a bi-annual international contemporary art exhibition initiated by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, Thailand. while there is an airport in Chiang Rai, there are no direct flights from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. It is a real life National Geographic Magazine to have to see to believe. Everyone I met on my travels recommended it, and showed me the most incredible pictures they'd taken of it. I know there are lots of people who would probably disagree with me, but I found the small details around the temple just as impressive and interesting as the White Temple itself. Benefit from the convenience of having a private driver to take you therea much more comfortable option than crowded local buses. 10.30 am. There are several museums on the compound of Wat Rong Khun. So I started looking into how to plan a day trip there from Chiang Mai. If youve only got limited time in northern Thailand, opt for an attraction-packed tour that reveals the best of Chiang Rai in just one day. In one place you will see scary-looking mythical creatures and in another, you will see Batman or some other symbol of modern pop culture. Just before the ticket counter there were trees with heads hanging from them (not real ones, obviously). Overview. There are wonderful paintings and sculptures in this museum. Ms. Albee Ning has been doing a great job accommodating my requests and itinerary changes. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Prices are under $50 USD. Your email address will not be published. The highway from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai has a lot of traffic, so unless you are taking backroads and youre not in a rush to get to Chiang Rai, I wouldnt suggest this option. It was possible to visit the complex but not the White Temple itself. Good to know! The laziest option for getting to the White Temple is to join a sightseeing tour (available from most guesthouses and hotels) that includes the White Temple, Black House, and other sights. The grounds of Wat Ban Pong are large with lots to see. You can have fun running around with the kids trying to find everyones! Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our Read More Here, 2023 ensquaredaired. My bus back was from Chiang Rai bus station, so I had to get to the town centre. The driver was safe and punctual. Highly recommended. Between them, they decide the fate of men. This tour is limited to only 10 people to ensure you receive personalized attention from your guide. Travel time: 3 hours one way (could be longer depending on traffic) Gold, on the other hand, represents greed for material objects. Either side of the gate is a large statue representing "Ketu"and "Rahu". You end up flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then back to Chiang Rai, which makes no sense. These cookies do not store any personal information. If in this part of the world again, I will not hesitate to use your services.. Ithas been constructed withwhite plaster that contains tiny pieces of mirrors. A golden mural of the Buddha himself can also be found on the back wall inside the ubosot. Marvel at the vibrant sapphire blue color of the Blue Temple, also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten. Thats because it is the most comfortable option where you can have a degree of control over your schedule compared to taking a taxi or bus. Select options. Thank you Alisa and Asia Highlights! The car type will depend on the number of people in the booking: https://travellifestylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/977eb34e-fe8b-4bf9-9900-63ad58772252.mp4, 14 Budget Alternatives to Popular (and Expensive) Destinations, Landing Remote Writing Opportunities: How To Write a Winning Upwork Cover Letter, Kyoto Travel Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Kyoto. The central and most well-known building is the ordination hall aka the ubosot. Meet wonderful Karen Long Neck people. You feel like you are entering another world. Possibly the most Instagram famous temple in all of Thailand, The White Temple, is a spectacular art piece easily accessible from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. You can also ring some more bells atop the White Pagoda. Though all these landmarks can be visited independently, a private tour . Great to see a Green Trails trip to Doi Inthanon! Then heading back to Chiang Mai with safe and sound. In 1964 villagers constructed the ubosot, which later became the White Temple. The easiest way to get to the White Temple is to book a tour that leaves from Chiang Mai and here are three top-rated ones: