Sacred Art Journey: White & Blue Temples Experience

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Departure from Chiang Mai

   30 min

2. Begin your journey with a scenic 1.5-hour drive through Chiang Rai’s picturesque landscapes.

   Passes by

3. Mae Kha Jan Hot Springs Take a short break at this natural hot spring, where you can soak your feet and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere

   20 min

4. Visit a hill tribe village, home to the Karen Long Neck and other ethnic groups. Learn about their traditions, daily life, and craftsmanship. Part of the admission fee supports community needs such as healthcare, water, and electricity. The villagers welcome visitors and are happy to share their culture. If you prefer to skip this activity, you may wait at the village entrance for about 30 minutes.

   30 min

5. Continue the journey to Chiang Rai 1.5 Hours(1.5 hours)

   Passes by

6. White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) (1 hour) Marvel at this gleaming white masterpiece, a stunning creation by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Unlike traditional temples, the White Temple blends contemporary Buddhist art with surreal symbolism, featuring intricate carvings, mirrored mosaics, and thought-provoking murals that incorporate modern elements like superheroes and pop culture icons. The bridge leading to the temple represents the cycle of rebirth, while the interior murals depict the struggle between good and evil. This temple is not just a religious site but a living work of art, evolving with continuous renovations and additions.

   1 hAdmission included

7. Enjoy a traditional Thai buffet at a local restaurant, offering a variety of authentic dishes. If the restaurant is closed, a set menu meal will be provided instead

   1 hAdmission included

8. Admire the mesmerizing blue tones and celestial ambiance of the Blue Temple, designed by Phuttha Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat. Built on a site once inhabited by roaming tigers, the temple is famous for its deep sapphire-blue color, golden accents, and hand-painted murals depicting Buddhist teachings. Inside, a magnificent white Buddha statue sits in contrast to the temple’s vivid interior, creating a serene and mystical atmosphere

   40 min

9. Black House Museum Step into the dark and avant-garde world of Thai artist Thawan Duchanee at the Black House Museum. This controversial yet fascinating collection of over 40 black wooden buildings showcases intricate carvings, taxidermy, skulls, and animal bones, reflecting themes of life, death, and human nature. Unlike a temple, this space challenges traditional beliefs and offers insight into the artist’s philosophy of the impermanence of life. The blend of Lanna architecture and eerie, symbolic art makes this museum a thought-provoking and unique experience

   1 hAdmission included

10. Return to Chiang Mai (3-hour drive) Relax as you journey back, reflecting on a day filled with cultural wonders. Arive at hotel 06.30–07.00 pm.

    Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Chiang Mai

• Its from-price is 33% below the median of the 1358 experiences we list in Chiang Mai.
• It is longer than most of them.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is northern Thailand's cultural capital, a moated old city of temples, markets and crafts surrounded by forested mountains.

The old city, ringed by a square moat and the remains of brick walls, holds dozens of temples, among them the elegant Wat Phra Singh and the ruined great chedi of Wat Chedi Luang. Above town, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep crowns a mountain, reached by a staircase lined with serpents, with views across the valley.

Top-ranked sights in Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Golden Triangle.

See all 1358 experiences in Chiang Mai