If there’s one thing we’ve learned while travelling in Thailand, it’s this some days are meant to be big. The kind of days you wake up early, gulp a quick coffee, and pile into a taxi still half-asleep knowing you’re about to see places that photos can never quite capture.
This was one of those days. We’d been based in Chiang Mai for a while, soaking up the relaxed vibe and slow mornings. But the pull of Chiang Rai’s famous temples was too strong to resist.
The Long Road North
Our driver arrived promptly at 7:30 a.m., his car spotless and the air con on full blast, a relief, even at that hour. As we wound our way out of Chiang Mai, the streets were busy and there were a few monks collecting alms and market stalls setting up for the day. The road north is long, it took around three hours without stops though we did stop for 20 minutes at a geyser to boilboil an egg which was great fun, same that water is hot out of the ground!!! Back in the car, we continued on and honestly just the scenery is worth it. Lush green hills roll past, dotted with tiny villages and roadside shrines garlanded in bright marigolds.
Tip: Bring snacks, water, and something to entertain the kids (we had Lego, sticker book and a Kindle) it’s a decent stretch of road.
Wat Rong Khun: The White Temple
Arriving at Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, felt like stepping into another world. Even from the car park, you can see the shimmering white facade, as if someone carved a snow palace and set it against the Thai countryside.
It’s impossible to overstate how detailed and surreal this place is. Every inch is covered in carvings gleaming glass fragments catch the sun so the walls sparkle. As you cross the famous bridge over a pit of outstretched hands (symbolising unrestrained desire), you feel a mix of awe and curiosity.
Inside, murals blend traditional Buddhist imagery with pop culture references Superman, Neo from The Matrix, even Hello Kitty peeking from a corner we even found a ninja turtles. Georgia loved spotting the characters; it turned the visit into a kind of treasure hunt we also went into the mystical cave, which was a bit weird enjoying it
Practical tip: Entry is very affordable (around 50 THB per adult), but you’ll want to dress respectfully covered shoulders and knees.
After exploring every nook and cranny, we stopped at the small café near the temple for cold drinks and a break in the shade.
A Fairy Waterfall Lunch in Ban Du
From the White Temple, we continued a short drive to Ban Du, a little village just outside Chiang Rai town. Here, we’d planned lunch at a place a friend described as “like eating in a fairy garden.”
They weren’t wrong. The Khun Korn Waterfall Café felt hidden in plain sight. The café sits beside a small series of clear, trickling waterfalls that tumble over rocks into shallow pools. Wooden walkways and little footbridges crisscross the area.
We picked a table right beside the water, shaded by massive trees and surrounded by lush ferns. The owners had strung colourful paper lanterns between branches, and potted orchids hung from the beams.
It was one of those unplanned highlights: a place we could have stayed all afternoon if we weren’t on a mission to see one more temple.
Wat Rong Suea Ten: The Blue Temple
Our final stop was Wat Rong Suea Ten, known simply as the Blue Temple. If the White Temple is dazzlingly bright, this one is rich, deep, and opulent.
The exterior is painted in the most vibrant blue you can imagine, with gold trim and elaborate serpentine sculptures guarding the entrance. Inside, a massive seated Buddha shimmers a pearly white against more blue and gold murals. The whole place feels serene and almost dreamlike.
By then, the kids were flagging, but even they couldn’t help but be impressed. We took our time wandering around, listening to the chanting in the background and just soaking in the atmosphere.
The Ride Home
By late afternoon, we were back in the taxi, tired but happy, with memory cards full of photos and that satisfying feeling that comes from ticking off something you’ve dreamed about seeing in person.
The drive back to Chiang Mai was quiet everyone dozing off to the hum of the road, occasionally waking to catch glimpses of the sunset turning the hills gold and pink.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether it’s too ambitious to do the White Temple, Ban Du, and the Blue Temple in a single day trip from Chiang Mai, here’s our verdict: it’s a long day, but absolutely worth it.
You’ll need an early start, some stamina, and a good driver but you’ll come back with memories that feel almost like stepping into a storybook.
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