In a nutshell
- The White Temple in Chiang Rai is unlike any other temple in Thailand — where else will you find murals featuring Michael Jackson, Master Yoda, and Superman?
- Admission to Wat Rong Khun costs 100 Baht (about $3). It’s open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- The White Temple is perfect for a day trip from Chiang Mai — or spend a night in Chiang Rai to explore at your own pace.
The Most Important Info About the White Temple in Chiang Rai
Here’s everything you need to know at a glance:
- Name: Wat Rong Khun in Thai, White Temple in English
- Admission: 100 Baht (approx. $3)
- Opening hours: daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Photography: allowed everywhere except inside the main building
- Dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered; no shoes (you only need to remove them right at the entrance to the main building)
- Getting there from Chiang Rai: 15 km — bus 15 THB, taxi 300 THB
- Getting there from Chiang Mai: 180 km — easy as a day trip (8:00 AM to 7:00 PM) by minibus
Why Is the White Temple in Chiang Rai So Special?
The White Temple was created by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. By building it, he’s erected a monument to himself and given his hometown an extraordinary gift.
Chalermchai has funded the construction entirely on his own, using both personal money and donations. He places great importance on not becoming dependent on major donors and only accepts donations up to 10,000 THB (approx. $250).
Although Wat Rong Khun already looks magnificent, it’s far from finished. Only about 20 percent of the planned complex has been built so far, and the White Temple isn’t expected to reach its full splendor until 2070. Looks like we’ll have to swing by every ten years to see how it’s coming along.
In 2014, the temple’s future was briefly very uncertain. An earthquake caused serious damage to Wat Rong Khun — at one point, complete demolition was even on the table. Fortunately, the core structure survived, and most of the damage has since been repaired.
How to Get to the White Temple in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai sits in the far north of Thailand, close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar. Bangkok is on the other side of the country, down in the south.
The White Temple itself isn’t located right in Chiang Rai — it’s about 15 km outside the city. You can easily visit on a day trip from Chiang Mai, or base yourself for a night in Chiang Rai to take things at a more relaxed pace.
Day Trip to the White Temple from Chiang Mai
If you’re staying in Chiang Mai and want to visit the white temple in Chiang Rai as a day trip, we’d recommend booking a guided tour. You can do this online or through your hotel.
Read our tips for Chiang Mai here
A day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai typically departs around 8:00 AM and gets you back around 7:00 PM.
Along the way, you’ll also stop at more impressive highlights in Chiang Rai.
Most tours include the following:
- Transfer to Chiang Rai by minibus (approximately three hours each way)
- Visit to hot springs — where you can enjoy a foot bath and cook eggs (seriously, no joke!)
- Stop in Mae Kampong, a small mountain village that serves as a model community for homestay tourism in the north
- Admission to the White Temple
- Admission to the Blue Temple
- Admission to the Hauyplakang Temple
Book the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai day trip here
Exploring the White Temple in Chiang Rai on Your Own
If you’d rather visit the White Temple independently, we recommend spending a night in Chiang Rai. That way, you can hit the temple in the morning or afternoon when it’s less packed.
From the city, there are a few ways to get there. From the old bus terminal, buses run regularly for 15 THB per trip to Wat Rong Khun. A taxi costs around 300 THB.
At the entrance, you pay 100 Baht in cash for admission.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Chiang Rai
Tips for Visiting the White Temple
Covered shoulders and knees are required when visiting the White Temple in Chiang Rai.
The visit follows a set route. You pass through the turnstiles at the entrance, then proceed single-file across the Bridge of Rebirth.
On either side, hands and heads reach up from the underworld. Crossing the bridge symbolizes the renunciation of worldly desires — which is why traffic only flows in one direction.
Stopping to take photos is not allowed, and turning around is out of the question. The path leads straight to the Gate of Heaven, behind which the main building — the so-called Ubosot — awaits.
As in every temple, you must remove your shoes before entering.
Inside the Ubosot, a completely different world awaits. While everything outside gleams white, the chapel walls are covered in vivid, colorful murals.
Every inch of the wall paintings reveals a new surprise: drawings of George Bush and Osama bin Laden, Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk, and even Hello Kitty have all found their place on the walls.
The Ubosot is the absolute standout of the whole visit. Beyond it, there are a few smaller buildings and the chance to make a donation.
For a small donation, you receive a small leaf-shaped metal piece on which you can write your name.
We did this too — the leaves are then hung up, and tens of thousands are already there, creating a seriously stunning sight.
Photography at the White Temple
Wat Rong Khun is a photographer’s dream. You simply can’t get enough shots here, and great photos are basically guaranteed.
That said, the White Temple in Chiang Rai is a hugely popular destination, and it gets correspondingly crowded. You can still get photos without people in them — it just takes a little patience.
Getting a clean shot of the full temple without any tourists in the frame is trickier. During peak season, that’s pretty much impossible during the day. But early in the morning, your chances are much better.
Photography is prohibited inside the main building, which is why you won’t find any photos of Michael Jackson or Yoda in this article.
Read our 10 tips for better travel photos
