December 2023

If you want to visit Chiang Rai but are very short on time, this Chiang Rai itinerary is for you! There are plenty of places to visit in Chiang Rai, and I would recommend a few more days, then 2 – however sometimes that’s all we have! This itinerary takes you to the most famous places in Chiang Rai, such as the White Temple, Blue Temple, ‘Black House’ and more.

I have missed a few “must do’s” in this itinerary as they didn’t really appeal to me, or I was heading towards them on a later date. You can fit plenty into one full day exploring Chiang Rai, it will be a busy day though!

This post contains affiliate links, I may be compensated if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thankyou for your support.

Where is Chiang Rai?

Chiang Rai is a city located in Northern Thailand, in the mountainous province. Chiang Rai is located near the border of Lao and Myammar. It is roughly 687km from Bangkok and 190km from Chiang Mai.

There is plenty to do in Chiang Rai, from Temples to hiking, street food to shopping and some very unique cafes! I have a blog post about 10 things you can do in Chiang Rai, which you can read here. This, however, doesn’t state the half of it! This town is truly beautiful and very easy to get around or lost in the streets. If you are heading to the Thailand/Lao border to cross, I would recommend spending a day or two here.

How to get there?

The best way to get to Chiang Rai is via bus or Mini Van. I always book my train or bus tickets through South East Asia on 12go Asia. A bus ticket will cost you anywhere between $10-20 AUD, depending on what bus class you get. I paid $17 AUD for a ‘VIP bus’ with Green Bus, it was super comfortable. I also got a snack and bottle of water for the trip. The bus had recliner seats, air con and a toilet.

You can also catch a taxi here, although this will be very expensive and with the great comfortable buses Thailand has to offer – it would be silly not to catch them (and they are affordable!).

You can get around Chiang Rai pretty easily via bus, walking, cycling or scooter. I choose to get to places slightly out of town by Grab Taxis/scooters. However, if you are confident on a scooter, this would be the best option. You can also rent bicycles if you’d rather do this and get some exercise.

Most of the attractions and cafes in the town are within walking distance. The local buses do run often as well, and it’s pretty easy to navigate where you want to go (also Thai people are lovely and will help you if needed!).

How long to spend here?

I followed the exact Chiang Rai itinerary below, but I could have spent another day or two here without an issue! There are lots of places on the outskirts of Chiang Rai that I didn’t have time to explore, which I would love to come back and do one day. If you are just looking to see the main sights in Chiang Rai, 2 days will be enough! Stretch it out to 3 if you want to do it at an easier pace.

There are a lot of tours that squeeze everything into one day, if you are really short on time! Some of these tours also operate from Chiang Mai, so this is an option too if you don’t plan on staying in Chiang Rai.

You will most likely of caught the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which takes about 3-4 hrs. I would recommend getting a bus that arrives in the early afternoon, so you have plenty of time to explore the city! Once you’ve dropped off your bags, head straight on over to the White Temple to start off this Chiang Rai itinerary.

This is Northern Thailand’s most famous temple, and is truely stunning! You can read my full guide to visiting the White Temple here. Spend an hour or so walking around the temple then head back into the main city for some street food! I am a sucker for street food, and will always recommend people go to the walking streets and try it out.

Once you have had some yummy dinner and maybe done some shopping – head to the Cat ‘N’ Cup Cafe. This is a great place for a tea or coffee and some dessert. You will be surrounded by playful cats, and even have the chance to give them some treats. It’s the perfect way to end the day, if you love animals (especially cats).

Today you will wake up extra early to start your full day of exploring! I completed this day without a tour, however if you want to visit places that are a little more out of range (such as the Golden Triangle), it might be good to try a tour. As I was heading to Chiang Khong afterwards, I didn’t go this far while I was in Chiang Rai. I completed todays itinerary by catching Grab Taxis and walking – which cost me a total of 300 Baht.

Start off heading to the Blue Temple around 7am (when it opens). I arrived about 7.15am and had the place almost to myself for about 20mins, then the tour buses rocked up. The Blue Temple is another beautiful temple, with amazing designs features. It is well worth the 30-45min stop and its free!

Afterwards, we will head out for breakfast or a coffee at the Lalitta Cafe – a short 15 min drive from the Blue Temple. This cafe is a mystical wonderland, and I throughly enjoyed walking around here. I got here are soon as it opened at 8am and had the place to myself for about an hour. The gardens are gorgeous, and really makes you feel like you are in some type of wonderland. It costs 60 Baht to enter the gardens, but this then goes towards food or drink.

After you’ve had some refreshments, head to the Wat Huay Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy. You can either catch a Grab or walk the 15-20min walk from Lalitta Cafe. The entry here is free and will take you about 30mins to walk around. It is beautiful to see, with some views over Chiang Rai. It’s worth the stop when you are already out here!

Next up, catch a Grab and head over to the Baan Dam Museum (around 15mins). This museum is EPIC, it displays such unique pieces of art and wooden structures. I spent over an hour walking around here, admiring the different pieces and looking in the strange rooms. There are some small cafes here too, if you get peckish. The entry will cost 80 Baht. Afterwards, head back into the main city.

Once you are in the main city, you can explore the many other temples all in walking distance. Other options for the rest of the day are to explore the Monkey Temple, head to a waterfall or Singha Park. You can also visit the Karen long neck village (I don’t recommend), or head to the Golden Triangle. Again, for anything else like this I would organise your own transport like a scooter or a taxi driver for the day.

There are plenty of beautiful places to stay in Chiang Rai – from budget to luxury. Whether you want to stay in town, close to the attractions. Or if you want mountain escape – Chiang Rai has it!.

Photos supplied via Booking.com Photos supplied via Booking.com

Easy walking distance from the bus station and close to the main attractions. Beautiful staff, clean rooms, female only dorms, washing machine and dryer – free pancakes every morning! Do I need to say more? This hostel isn’t extremely social, but its got friendly helpful staff and a very chilled vibe.

Photos supplied via Booking.com Photos supplied via Booking.com

Located about 2km outside of town, which makes it still in walking distance to the min attractions. Laluna hotel offers a pool, comfortable rooms, included breakfast and a peaceful setting.

Photos supplied via Booking.com

Located on the island in the middle of the Kok River, The Riverie by Katathani offers luxurious rooms surrounded by lush garden, diverse plants and seasonal flowers. . The resort also features a swimming pool, fitness centre and a variety of dining options. The hotel has big spacious rooms, free breakfast and multiple transport services.

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• Northern Thailand – 2-Week Itinerary 
• 28th December 2023
• Itinerary

• 10 Things to do in – CHIANG RAI
• 21st December 2023
• Thailand

• The White Temple, Chiang Rai – Quick Guide
• 18th December 2023
• Thailand

Northern Thailand was the second stop of my world tour in 2023, and I spent a little over 2 weeks exploring this area. It was not enough, (is it ever enough?) I would recommend spending about a month here to really explore all the sights but if you are short on time and just want a taste of what Northern Thailand has to offer,then this itinerary is for you. 

This itinerary also does follow the Banana Pancake trail, which is a popular backpacking route through Asia. You can follow this itinerary, head to Chiang Khong and then head into Laos via the Slow Boat. 

This blog post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small compensation if you use them (don’t worry at no extra cost to you!) Thank you for your ongoing support. 

How to get to Northern Thailand 

The best way to start exploring Northern Thailand is to either fly into Bangkok or Chiang Mai. If you are travelling internationally, you are most likely going to fly into Bangkok – which is why this is where this itinerary starts! 

To find cheap flights to Bangkok, I always use Skyscanner – it’s the best way to find cheap flights! 

How to travel around Thailand 

Internally travelling through Thailand is extremely easy, it is probably one of the easiest countries to travel round. There is a really good bus and train system, which makes it easy for travellers to hop around the country. There is also a good flying network, where you can catch domestic flights easily. 

I mainly used buses and Mini Vans on my travels as this was the cheapest and most convenient way. Majority of this type of transport (and trains), can be booked through the 12go Asia website. This is the website I use to book all my transport from trains to ferries while in Southeast Asia. 

I also recommend downloading the Grab App, which is what I use for internal transport in cities. Grab is like Uber, except you can catch cars or scooters! I love catching scooters as its much quicker (sorry mum). 

You can also rent a scooter to travel around Thailand, however, just keep in mind that it is illegal to drive a scooter over 50cc in Thailand without a motorcycle license and international license. This doesn’t mean people don’t do it, just something to keep in mind (and insurance won’t cover you!). 

Day 1-3 Bangkok 

Photo by Arnie Chou on Pexels.com

You’ll start off this Northern Thailand itinerary by flying from your home country to Bangkok. Once you land in this vibrant city, make your way to your hotel – depending on your flight time, rest tonight or head out and explore. 

There is so much you can do in this city from rooftop bars with extortionary views, street markets, world class restaurants and mouth-watering street food. Massive shopping centres, nature parks, temples and much more. Head down to Khao San Road for an eventful night or to the Wang Lang Market for a more authentic experience. 

I spend my 3 days in Bangkok eating my through the street vendors, it was marvellous – I highly recommend. 

Day 4-6 Chiang Mai 

The next few days will be spent in Chiang Mai, somewhere I wish I had more time as there is so much to do! Here you can visit temples, get lost in the many street markets, eat street food, shop, go hiking and much more. There is so much to do, you could easily spend a week here! 

My top recommendations over the next 3 day are to visit an elephant sanctuary (an ethical one) – I recommend Chai Lai Orchid, where you can stay overnight and have a wakeup call by elephants! You can get a Sak Yant tattoo, a spiritual tattoo completed by a holy person. I highly recommend this place. Get out of the city and explore the outskirts! This is something I wasn’t able to do, but I wish I did because there looks like there’s a lot of beautiful sights.

There are 3 ways you can get to Chiang Mai, Bus, plane, or train. I personally flew because it was the shortest option and reasonably cheap. For the best flight deals, check out Skyscanner. 

The bus and train can both be booked on 12go Asia. I will warn you; they are about 12-14hrs in duration. You can catch them during the day or night, and they are bout $50 AUD each. The flight was $70 and took 1.5hrs – the decision is yours! 

Day 7-9 Pai 

Photo by Bruno Bueno on Pexels.com

Pai is a beautiful small town that is worth a short visit, if you don’t like having a lazy morning or doing Muay Thai – maybe skip this. I was in Pai for a one-week Muay Thai bootcamp, but if you come here just to visit, there isn’t that much to do. I spent a lot of my time training or eating. The food scene in Pai is amazing and I recommend eating as much as you can, the walking street is also amazing! 

There are a few waterfalls and things to see around Pai, but it is a very laid-back place. This can actually be nice, as a lot of other places in Thailand can be buzzing with energy (sometimes it’s over stimulating). 

You can read my blog about the best places to eat in Pai here. 

There are two ways to get to Pai, bus or taxi. Bus is the way cheaper option and will only cost $15-20 AUD. Head down to Chiang Mai bus terminal 2 and catch a minivan headed to Pai. The main company that operates these transfers are Prem Pracha and can be booked online. You will be allocated a seat on your ticket, and I recommend motion sickness tablets. It is an extremely windy road, and the drivers drive fast. I don’t usually get motion sickness, but this bus ride got me – both times. 

If you are travelling in peak season, make sure you book your bus tickets in advance! Or you might have to wait around at the bus station for a spot to open. These tickets can be booked on 12go Asia. 

Day 10 -11 Chiang Mai 

Today is simply here to split up travel days and give a bit of a rest, or else you would be travelling for 8-9hrs to get to Chiang Rai. If you want another day in Chiang Rai, you can make this a complete travel day! 

You will catch the minivan bus back from the ‘Pai Bus Station’ where you were dropped off, in the centre of town. You will need to show your online ticket to the counter, and they will tell you what bus you are one. 

I do recommend booking your bus tickets to and from Pai in advance on 12go Asia. 

Day 12 – 14 Chiang Rai 

The final stop on this Northern Thailand itinerary! Chiang Rai is a small town filled with the most incredible temples. Surrounded by lush nature and mountainous regions, it’s worth a visit. I highly recommend visiting the White Temple and Blue Temple, as well as heading to the mountainous regions if possible! 

You can read my guide about what to do in Chiang Rai here. 

From Chaing Rai it is extremely easy to continue your journey into Laos. You can easily catch a bus to Chiang Khong to catch the slow boat the following morning, or straight to the border to cross in the same day.

The easiest and cheapest way to get to Chiang Rai, is by bus. Again, these can be booked on 12go Asia and its best to book in advance. There are multiple buses you can choose from, basic to VIP. I caught a VIP bus which cost me $17 AUD and was luxurious. The bus ride should take 3-4 hrs. 

You can also fly to Chiang Rai from Ching Mai, but this includes a stop over and will take about 4-5hrs. 

Conclusion

Is two weeks enough time to see the beautiful sights of Northern Thailand? Definitely not. However, it is enough to get a taste! This allowed me to pick my favourite spots, places I’d love to go back and visit and places I probably wouldn’t visit again. This itinerary is great for first timers or people who just want to get a taste of what Northern Thailand has to offer. Happy travelling!

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There are 101 things to do in Chiang Rai, however if you are short on time and want to see some of the highlights – then this blog is for you! Chiang Rai is a beautiful place to explore, and I honestly wish I had more time here. There is something for everyone, whether you love food, nature, culture or the art of doing absolutely nothing.

Chiang Rai is a very popular place for both backpackers and travellers. It is also a very convenient place to stop if you plan on taking the slow boat into Laos. As Chiang Rai isn’t too far from Chiang Mai, and with the easy transport connections between the two cities, it is somewhere I highly recommend you visit on your Northern Thailand travels.

How long do I need in Chiang Rai?

I only had 2 nights in Chiang Rai, which was enough to see majority of the big sights, but I wish I had another day or two. Chiang Rai is a small town, so you can easily get lost in the streets and markets, exploring the many temples. But there are also the outskirts of Chiang Rai which have mountainous landscapes with endless greenery. I wish I had another few days to explore here.

I would recommend spending at least 3 nights here. 

How to get to Chiang Rai

Getting transport around Thailand is incredibly easy, even if you are new to travelling. You can get to Chiang Rai by bus or flying. The easiest and cheapest way to get to Chiang Rai, is by bus from Chiang Mai (which I am sure you are visiting). 

There are several buses that travel to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, all different levels, and costs. I took the VIP bus, which cost me $17 and was pure comfort. It has recliner seats, onboard bathroom, snacks/water, AC and heaps of leg room. It was worth it for the 3-4 hr journey. You can easily book your bus tickets on 12go asia.  

1. The White Temple

The White Temple is probably the most famous temple in all of Thailand, and for good reason. This temple is located about a 20min drive from the city centre of Chiang Rai, and can be reached by either bus, taxi, cycling or self-drive. This temple is absolutely incredible, in appearance, architecture and significance. This is a piece of art and despite having murals of iron man and others in the temple itself, it is a holy place. 

Even if you don’t like temples this is one that I highly recommend you visit! You will need about 1-2hrs to explore the temple and for travel time. The entry fee is 100 Baht (roughly $5 AUD). You can read my full guide to visiting the White Temple here. 

2. The Blue Temple

Another extremely popular temple in Chiang Rai, only a short 5-10min drive from the city centre. This is another extraordinary temple, which blew me away with its bright colours and attention to detail. As soon as you approach this temple you will see two massive blue statues at both the entrance and exit. The detail, paintings, murals, and statues are all beautiful, it is a very unique temple. 

The temple complex itself is quite small and will only take about 30mins to explore fully, maybe a little longer if you want to take photos. This temple does get busy, and it seems it’s the first stop on a lot of tours that leave from Chiang Rai. I arrived at 7.15am and got it to myself for bout 10mins, before the tour groups arrived. The entry here is free. 

3. The Baan Dam Museum

Also known as the ‘Black House’ or ‘Black Temple’, roughly a 20 min drive from Chiang Rai. This is a collection of artworks from a famous Thai artist, Thawan Duchanee. This was a spot I originally wasn’t going to visit, but I am so glad that I did! The wooden art pieces are spectacular – if not a little strange and quirky. There are some interesting pieces here, I’ll say that much. 

The paintings in the main museum as you walk in, are some of the pieces that truly amazed me. They are not only interesting to look at with your own eyes, but if you scan the QR code, it opens a filter on Instagram and the paintings come to life! I thought that was a very cool mix of original and digital art. Entry here is 80 Baht, and I spent about 1.5hrs wondering around the grounds. There is a small gift shop and café inside the grounds, as well as some shops around the outside. 

4. Cat “N” A Cup

Have you ever wanted to have a cup of coffee or piece of cake surrounded by adorable cats? This is the place for you. Cat ‘N’ Cup is close to the main walking straight in the centre of Chiang Rai and one person from your group will need to purchase something to enter. The coffee here is very good and the Japanese cheesecake – mouth-watering.

The cats here are all rescued or adopted, they are so loved, you can tell by the way the employees treat them. You can play with them, pat them, and only cuddle them if they approach you. It was a great little place to hang out for a night and get little bit of love from some fury friends. 

5. Khan Korn Waterfall

This is a 70m waterfall is located approximately 40mins from the Chiang Rai city centre. It can easily be accessed via scooter, tuk tuk or by a tour. This is by far one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area and entry in completely free! There is a short 1.5km jungle trek in order to reach the waterfall, but most of the trail is shaded.

This is something I ran out of time to do, but would absolutely recommend if you want to see some of the incredible nature that surrounds Chiang Rai!

6. Wat Huay Pla Kang

I will admit, if you aren’t heading out this way from Chiang Rai, you could probably miss this. However, if you are (especially if you go to Lallita Café), this is worth a quick visit – and its free! 

Wat Huay Pla Kang, also known as the Big Buddha of Chiang Rai. This is a giant statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. The statue sits on top of a pedestal of lotus petals and rises 90 metres into the air.

This giant statue is about 15-20min outside of Chiang Rai, or 15 mins from the Blue Temple. You will be able to spot it on the way north, it’s very hard to miss. There isn’t much to do here but climb the few 100 steps and admire the details of the statue. You also do get some decent views of Chiang Rai for the top. 

7. Chiang Rai city Temples

There are plenty of temples scattered throughout the city of Chiang Rai, all easily accessible via walking or bicycle. Spend the day hopping around to the many different temples for free and admiring the unique traits of each one. You might also stumbled across a hidden gem or two!

My personal favourite was the “Red Temple” which although smaller in size compared to temples such as the White and Blue Temple, still had such vibrant colours and artwork.

8. Lalitta Cafe

This is a café I found through social media, that I had never heard of before – but it deserves a place on this list! It’s about a 15–20-minute drive outside the main town of Chiang Rai and costs 60 Baht to enter. The 60 Baht goes towards food and drinks though.

This café is a mystical wonderland, which made me feel like I was stepping straight into fairy tale. The gardens are beautiful with a variety of different plant and flower species, the statues are unique and there is even a waterfall! This is a great place for kids and adults, really making you feel like you are in a fairy tale. The coffee is also very good! 

9. Golden Triangle

This is somewhere I didn’t visit while in Chiang Mai, as I ran out of time and was heading to Chiang Khong later in my travels. The Golden Triangle is 9km north of Chiang Rai, along the Mekong River. Here, you can visit 3 countries at once, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. From the viewpoint you can see where land connects all three countries, surround by waterways. Although it is a tourist stop, and very busy, it is a unique place in South East Asia that would be worth visiting.

10. Street Markets

I love exploring the night markets in each town I visit through Southeast Asia; in my opinion they have the best food and are all reasonably cheap! Chiang Rai walking street and markets are no different. This walking street is a little bit smaller than other ones in places like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, but it’s worth it for a snack or some dinner. 

Go check out the ‘dining hall’ for some incredible Pad Thai and curries! When you are facing the dining area, head to the left and it’s the first booth. Incredible food for only 50 Baht! 

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If you want to visit Chiang Rai but are very short on time, this Chiang Rai itinerary is for you! There are plenty of places to visit in Chiang Rai, and I would recommend a few more days, then 2 – however sometimes that’s all we have! This itinerary takes you to the most famous places in Chiang Rai, such as the White Temple, Blue Temple, ‘Black House’ and more.

I have missed a few “must do’s” in this itinerary as they didn’t really appeal to me, or I was heading towards them on a later date. You can fit plenty into one full day exploring Chiang Rai, it will be a busy day though!

This post contains affiliate links, I may be compensated if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thankyou for your support.

Where is Chiang Rai?

Chiang Rai is a city located in Northern Thailand, in the mountainous province. Chiang Rai is located near the border of Lao and Myammar. It is roughly 687km from Bangkok and 190km from Chiang Mai.

What is there to do?

There is plenty to do in Chiang Rai, from Temples to hiking, street food to shopping and some very unique cafes! I have a blog post about 10 things you can do in Chiang Rai, which you can read here. This, however, doesn’t state the half of it! This town is truly beautiful and very easy to get around or lost in the streets. If you are heading to the Thailand/Lao border to cross, I would recommend spending a day or two here.

How to get there?

The best way to get to Chiang Rai is via bus or Mini Van. I always book my train or bus tickets through South East Asia on 12go Asia. A bus ticket will cost you anywhere between $10-20 AUD, depending on what bus class you get. I paid $17 AUD for a ‘VIP bus’ with Green Bus, it was super comfortable. I also got a snack and bottle of water for the trip. The bus had recliner seats, air con and a toilet.

You can also catch a taxi here, although this will be very expensive and with the great comfortable buses Thailand has to offer – it would be silly not to catch them (and they are affordable!).

You can get around Chiang Rai pretty easily via bus, walking, cycling or scooter. I choose to get to places slightly out of town by Grab Taxis/scooters. However, if you are confident on a scooter, this would be the best option. You can also rent bicycles if you’d rather do this and get some exercise.

Most of the attractions and cafes in the town are within walking distance. The local buses do run often as well, and it’s pretty easy to navigate where you want to go (also Thai people are lovely and will help you if needed!).

How long to spend here?

I followed the exact Chiang Rai itinerary below, but I could have spent another day or two here without an issue! There are lots of places on the outskirts of Chiang Rai that I didn’t have time to explore, which I would love to come back and do one day. If you are just looking to see the main sights in Chiang Rai, 2 days will be enough! Stretch it out to 3 if you want to do it at an easier pace.

There are a lot of tours that squeeze everything into one day, if you are really short on time! Some of these tours also operate from Chiang Mai, so this is an option too if you don’t plan on staying in Chiang Rai.

You will most likely of caught the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which takes about 3-4 hrs. I would recommend getting a bus that arrives in the early afternoon, so you have plenty of time to explore the city! Once you’ve dropped off your bags, head straight on over to the White Temple to start off this Chiang Rai itinerary.

This is Northern Thailand’s most famous temple, and is truely stunning! You can read my full guide to visiting the White Temple here. Spend an hour or so walking around the temple then head back into the main city for some street food! I am a sucker for street food, and will always recommend people go to the walking streets and try it out.

Once you have had some yummy dinner and maybe done some shopping – head to the Cat ‘N’ Cup Cafe. This is a great place for a tea or coffee and some dessert. You will be surrounded by playful cats, and even have the chance to give them some treats. It’s the perfect way to end the day, if you love animals (especially cats).

Today you will wake up extra early to start your full day of exploring! I completed this day without a tour, however if you want to visit places that are a little more out of range (such as the Golden Triangle), it might be good to try a tour. As I was heading to Chiang Khong afterwards, I didn’t go this far while I was in Chiang Rai. I completed todays itinerary by catching Grab Taxis and walking – which cost me a total of 300 Baht.

Start off heading to the Blue Temple around 7am (when it opens). I arrived about 7.15am and had the place almost to myself for about 20mins, then the tour buses rocked up. The Blue Temple is another beautiful temple, with amazing designs features. It is well worth the 30-45min stop and its free!

Afterwards, we will head out for breakfast or a coffee at the Lalitta Cafe – a short 15 min drive from the Blue Temple. This cafe is a mystical wonderland, and I throughly enjoyed walking around here. I got here are soon as it opened at 8am and had the place to myself for about an hour. The gardens are gorgeous, and really makes you feel like you are in some type of wonderland. It costs 60 Baht to enter the gardens, but this then goes towards food or drink.

After you’ve had some refreshments, head to the Wat Huay Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy. You can either catch a Grab or walk the 15-20min walk from Lalitta Cafe. The entry here is free and will take you about 30mins to walk around. It is beautiful to see, with some views over Chiang Rai. It’s worth the stop when you are already out here!

Next up, catch a Grab and head over to the Baan Dam Museum (around 15mins). This museum is EPIC, it displays such unique pieces of art and wooden structures. I spent over an hour walking around here, admiring the different pieces and looking in the strange rooms. There are some small cafes here too, if you get peckish. The entry will cost 80 Baht. Afterwards, head back into the main city.

Once you are in the main city, you can explore the many other temples all in walking distance. Other options for the rest of the day are to explore the Monkey Temple, head to a waterfall or Singha Park. You can also visit the Karen long neck village (I don’t recommend), or head to the Golden Triangle. Again, for anything else like this I would organise your own transport like a scooter or a taxi driver for the day.

Where to Stay?

There are plenty of beautiful places to stay in Chiang Rai – from budget to luxury. Whether you want to stay in town, close to the attractions. Or if you want mountain escape – Chiang Rai has it!.

Photos supplied via Booking.com Photos supplied via Booking.com

Easy walking distance from the bus station and close to the main attractions. Beautiful staff, clean rooms, female only dorms, washing machine and dryer – free pancakes every morning! Do I need to say more? This hostel isn’t extremely social, but its got friendly helpful staff and a very chilled vibe.

Photos supplied via Booking.com Photos supplied via Booking.com

Located about 2km outside of town, which makes it still in walking distance to the min attractions. Laluna hotel offers a pool, comfortable rooms, included breakfast and a peaceful setting.

Photos supplied via Booking.com

Located on the island in the middle of the Kok River, The Riverie by Katathani offers luxurious rooms surrounded by lush garden, diverse plants and seasonal flowers. . The resort also features a swimming pool, fitness centre and a variety of dining options. The hotel has big spacious rooms, free breakfast and multiple transport services.

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Sak Yant tattoos have become extremely popular with westerners over the years. Even more when actors like Angelina Jolie started getting them years ago. Of course, there are proper ways to get a Sak Yant and treat a Sak Yant, as well as wrong ways. I have always been drawn to getting a Sak Yant, as soon as I found out about these spiritual tattoos. I have a lot of tattoos, a lot which don’t have any meaning (which is completely fine!). Getting a Sak Yant was the first time I actually wanted a tattoo with some sort of meaning. Never the less, on my trip through Thailand it was inevitable that I was going to get one.

I wanted to get one done at a safe place, with good hygiene. I was also stumped with the question of whether I could even get one, being a female. After extensive research online, I found a place which I cannot recommend more, Sak Yant Chiang Mai. The whole experience was perfect. Even though it is tailored to westerners, I found I didn’t loose any of the spiritual components to the experience.

This blog is going to provide some basic information on Sak Yant tattoos, however I am not an expert. So I would always recommend doing your own research.

What is a Sak Yant tattoo?

A Sak Yant is a form of tattooing that originated in ancient Thai peoples and culture. It is a magical geometrical, animal or deity design. Which accompanied by Pali phrases offers power, protection, fortune and other benefits to the bearer of the tattoo. 

Sak Yants are tattooed by ruesi, wicha practitioners or Buddhist monks. They are traditionally completed with a long metal rod, with a sharpened point at the end (Khem sak). Although, it has been modernized to help hygiene standards over the years. 

To simplify it, a Sak Yant is a visual representation or talisman of a goal, desire or affirmation, which has been created by a holly man and charged with power. 

Where can I get one?

There are many places you can get a Sak Yant tattoo throughout Thailand, however not a lot of them are legit or safe. There are a lot of touristy places which have tattoo parlours offering fake Sak Yants, which are not completed by a Monk or Ajarn. Or Temples where you can get Sak Yants but hygiene and safety standards can be questioned. I would recommend going with a trusted source, such as Sak Yant Chiang Mai. This way they can organise either in-house or a temple visit and make sure it will be safe and hygienic.

Is it disrespectful to get a Sak Yant?

Yes and No. It isn’t disrecpectful to get a Sak Yant if it is completed by a qualified Sak Yant Master. You do not need to be a buddhist to get one of these spiritual tattoos, you just need to commit to the 5 prospects of Buddhism.

It is disrespectful to get a Sak Yant Tattoo from a tattoo artist who is not trained in the magical art and skills of reading the Magical text. This means its disrespectful to get it from a tattoo shop.

Short review of Sak Yant – Chiang Mai

My whole experience from start to finish with Sak Yant Chiang Mai was fantastic. I was treated very well and even had a laugh or two! The Sak Yant master who tattooed me was very friendly, and the team made me feel very comfortable. The work itself is completely up to my standards. I have a lot of tattoos and I am in love with my Sak Yant, it is very well done, especially for a stick and poke! 

Inside the shop Outside the shop

Its best to arrive to your appointment a little earlier (appointments can be booked online, with a deposit of 1000 Baht), you can then take some time to pick out a Sak Yant and talk to the staff about what you want your Sak Yant to mean.

You are taken into a private room to complete the Sak Yant, which does have AC and pillows for comfort. You will start off by entering the room lower the the Sak Yant master and giving them an offering – which is organised by the team at the shop. Afterwards, the Sak Yant master will say a prayer and your tattoo will begin. Afterwards the tattoo is blessed, and you will be taken out of the room. At the end of the process you are given tea and some tasty treats by the staff.

If you are looking for a safe place to get a Sak Yant, I cannot recommend Sak Yant Chiang Mai more. It is a very professional, safe and clean environment to get a Sak Yant. 

The whole process was extremely quick, from picking a design, to the explanation to getting the tattoo itself. I was in and out of the shop within 40mins. You do get a 1-hour session included in the basic price, if you go over this time you will have to pay more. I got a very basic design, if you want something more detailed or a bigger size – you will need to book multiple sessions. You may end up being in there for hours, it really depends on what design you want.

My tattoo only took about 15mins to fully complete, and I am glad it took such little time! I chose to have my Sak Yant on my ribs, which is a painful spot to get any tattoo. I have a high pain tolerance, but it is safe to say I am happy it only took 15mins!! 

The fresh tattoo

Sak Yant Chiang Mai offers two ways to get a Sak Yant, in- house or Temple Monk Tour. Both of these options are available from Mon- Sat, but the Temple Monk Tour takes longer than the In-house option. 

You will need to make a donation to either the Monk or Ajarn, which starts at 1000 Baht (roughly $43 AUD). It is free for people to watch the in-house Sak Yant, but if you’d like to bring a friend/partner to the Temple, it will cost an extra 500 Baht. 

The in-house minimum for a Sak Yant is 2000 Baht (roughly $86 AUD)

The minimum for the Temple Monk tour Sak Yant is 4500 Baht (roughly $195 AUD)

The cost will go up depending on how many you choose to get and how long each piece is going to take. There are multiple designs on their website with an idea of how much either will cost. 

Yes you can! But there are a few rules. A female can get a Sak Yant in a temple setting, but it will not be from a monk. There are certain Ajarns who work along side Monks and will complete the Sak Yant, where the Monk will provide the blessing. Sometimes you will need a male present in these situations, but it depends on the Ajarn/Monk – and the company you go with.

Most of the time a female will be tattooed via an Ajarn over a Monk. I also recommend choosing the in-house offer, as it’s much easier for females. The major difference between an Ajarn (almost always an Ex monk) and Monk (someone still engaged in Temple duties), is that an Ajarn will do their Yantra Tattoo for a set fee and will do Tattoo’s on Women.

Sak Yants can consist of sacred images and therefore, certain designs can only be placed on certain parts of the body. Sacred and Buddhist drawings cannot go below the waist, or close to private parts (breasts etc). Images that represent Buddha or the Master Yant’s have to be placed on the back, the arms and side torso. Men can have some designs placed on the thigh.

The feet are off limits for everyone. In Thai culture the feet are the lowest part of the body, it is against the law to point your feet towards a Buddha, or step on money with the image of the King. Only animal designs can be placed below the waist, no images representing Buddha or powerful Yants.

The team at Sak Yant Chiang Mai will let you know where a design can or cannot be placed.

Is it hygienic?

Yes. Sak Yant Chiang Mai change the needles and ink for each tattoo and person. They also whip down any surface or pillow used by each customer. They will make sure the whole process is hygienic and safe.

Final Thoughts

Getting a Sak Yant isn’t something people should take lightly, or just want to get for fun. It is a spiritual tattoo which has rule which should be followed seriously. Or, you are essentially just getting a normal tattoo. The whole process is a very unique experience, which I would recommend to anyone. I would love to go back and get another with another spiritual meaning one day, and I will be heading back to Sak Yant Chiang Mai to get it done.

If you want a hygienic, safe place that doesnt take away from the experience, Sak Yant Chiang Mai is for you. Remember, it is a tattoo and will be on your person for ever!

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  A Quick Guide to visiting the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), in Chiang Rai. Everything you need to know, from how to get there to what to wear.

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  A Quick Guide to visiting the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), in Chiang Rai. Everything you need to know, from how to get there to what to wear.

Wat Rong Khun – commonly known as the White Temple, is probably the most famous temple of all of Northern Thailand. This is one of the countries new temples, so it doesn’t date back too far, unlike others in the country. This is the most exquisite temple I have seen to date. The extraordinary architecture and many unique details are unlike anything I have ever seen.

If you are heading to the North of Thailand, and aren’t particularly a temple person – trust me this is the temple you want to visit! This blog post is going to give you a quick guide on all things to do with getting to the White Temple, dress code, cost and more.

What is the White Temple?

This temple jewel was created by the Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who had financed the construction from his own pocket and from donations. This work of art began with construction in 1997, with a setback in 2014, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake severely damaged the White Temple. Believe it or not the White Temple is not yet completed! And is believed to be completed by 2070.

The White temple is open from 8 am to 5pm on weekdays, and until 5.30pm on weekends. There is a dress code – you will need to cover your knees and shoulders.

When is the best time to go for photos? Honestly…it’ll be busy all year round – unless you go in the off season. There are tours constantly visiting the White Temple. I’ve heard some people say it’s best to go early morning, or late afternoon. Honestly, I think it’ll be busy either way. I went during late afternoon, and it was busy – but I didn’t have to wait too long to get a good shot without people in it.

You can admire the temple from the outside, completely free! However, if you want to enter the complex it will set you back 100 Baht (roughly $5 AUD).

How to get there?

The White Temple is located roughly 12km from the main city of Chiang Rai, so you will need some type of transportation there. There are 4 ways you can get there, which I have elaborated on below.

This is the quickest and most convenient way to get to the White Temple. I would also recommend a Grab taxi over a normal taxi, as you don’t have to argue with the price, it is what it is on the app. I caught a grab motorbike from the centre of Chiang Rai, which cost me 98 Baht for a one way ride. A car would cost slightly more, around 150-200 Baht. I read a few blogs that grab drivers didn’t drive out to the White Temple for pick up/drop off, but I never had an issue while I was there!

You can also grab a Tuktuk, but like taxis – make sure you negotiate a price before stepping into the vehicle.

If you don’t have the Grab app, I highly recommend you download it for your travels through South East Asia!

There are multiple tours you can take in Chiang Rai, which will take you to all the attractions in one day. You can also get a few tours from Chiang Mai OR some places do stop off at the White Temple on the way to the Thailand/Lao border. You are looking at about 1500-2000 Baht for a full day or exploring from Chiang Rai. I would recommend looking at your hostel or hotel for deals.

There is a bus that heads to the White Temple from Bus Terminal 1 in Chiang Rai. This bus can easily be found by asking one of the locals or looking for the blue bus. It will cost you 25 Baht for a one way ride to the White Temple. The buses are basic and only have a few seats so you may need to stand for the duration (20min drive).

If you want to catch the bus back to Chiang Rai from the White Temple, it is simple. Once you’ve left the temple complex, head towards the main road (Phahon Yothin Rd). When you are facing the main road (or Honda Automobile), head to the left – towards Chiang Rai. There is a little bus stop maybe 50 metres from the intersection. This is where you will hail down the blue bus, to take you back to Chiang Rai. The bus comes every 20ish minutes.

The ‘bus stop’ Inside the bus on a busy day

You can also get to the White Temple by driving yourself via scooter – very easy to rent in Chiang Rai. You can also cycle here, as bicycles are pretty common in Chiang Rai. Just keep in mind, it will take you about an hour or more to cycle here and it will be along the main highway.

Walking through the White Temple

The White Temple of Chiang Rai is truly exceptional piece of art. Even the colour white is special because it actually symbolises mourning. The temple is white in colour as this symbolised Buddha’s purity and wisdom, which it is said “shines over the earth and the universe”.

The main building is reached via the bridge of the “rebirth cycle“. Before the bridge, hundreds of hands from hell will reach out to you: they are the symbol of unbridled desires. Therefore, the path to happiness symbolically follows past temptations, greed and the worldly desires. It should also be noted that the temple has a one way path, turning around is not allowed. After crossing the bridge, you will come face to face with the “Gate of Death“, which is guarded by two mythical creatures (Death, who decides on life, and Rahu, who determines the fate of the dead).

When you are inside the White Temple, photography is prohibited. Once you enter the Temple, it really is a mixture of religion and chaos. Murals of demons, flames, the burning Twin Towers, Michael Jackson, Batman and Harry Potter – have been immortalized in this temple. 

The White Temple is stunning, but don’t forget to walk around the grounds and explore the many other Temples and features! There are plenty of gold buildings or you can hang a lucky Bodhi Left for 30 Baht.

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