Thailand / Northern Thailand / Chiang RaiChiang Rai
The White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle
A relaxed northern town best known for its modern temples: the all-white Wat Rong Khun, the sapphire Wat Rong Suea Ten and the dark Baan Dam museum. North of town, the Golden Triangle viewpoint looks over Thailand, Laos and Myanmar where the Mekong meets the Ruak; tea estates of Doi Mae Salong are an hour west. Often done as a long day trip from Chiang Mai, better with a night.
Highlights
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
- Baan Dam (Black House)
- Golden Triangle viewpoint over three countries
- Mekong long-tail boat ride
- Doi Mae Salong tea terraces
- Singha Park
- Clock tower light show
- Night bazaar
Things to do
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) early visitMorning · 1h 30m
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)Morning · 1h
- Baan Dam (Black House) museumAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Golden Triangle & Mekong boat rideMorning · 5h
- Doi Mae Salong tea estate driveAfternoon · 4h
- Clock tower show & night bazaarEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: November – February
Worth knowing
Burning Season Smoke
⚠️ Crop and forest burning fills the northern valleys with smoke from February to April, worst in March: PM2.5 often reaches several times the safe level and mountain views disappear. Not a good time for children, the elderly or anyone with asthma. Check AQI before booking, carry N95 masks, or move this leg to November–January.
Heads up
Haze Starting
Smoke from crop burning usually begins in February. Early in the month is usually fine; by the end, check the daily AQI.
- Songkran (Thai New Year water festival) — Three days of nationwide water fights, biggest around Chiang Mai's old-city moat, Bangkok's Silom and Khao San Road, and Pattaya, where it runs on to about 19 April. Expect to be soaked anywhere outdoors: carry phones and passports in a dry bag. Buses, trains and flights sell out as Thais travel home; book two months ahead.
- Loy Krathong · 24 Nov — On the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, people float candle-lit krathong baskets on rivers and ponds. Sukhothai's historical park holds the oldest celebration, with light shows over the ruins; Bangkok's riverside piers get very crowded. Hotels in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai fill weeks ahead.
- Buddhist holy days (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asahna Bucha) · Visakha Bucha 31 May; Asahna Bucha and Buddhist Lent 29–30 Jul — Candle-lit processions round the temples at dusk, worth seeing in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya. Alcohol may not be sold anywhere, bars included, for 24-48 hours (hotels and airport duty free excepted); the Full Moon Party moves a night.