Chiang Rai Temples Tour: Review of White, Blue, Black + Lunch

Alright, so you’re pondering a day trip from Chiang Mai to visit those crazy beautiful temples in Chiang Rai, right? That’s where I was not too long ago, and after some research, I ended up booking the ‘From Cm Chiang Rai White Blue Redblack Temple with Lunch’ tour. Was it worth getting up super early and spending a whole day bumping around in a minivan? Let me tell you everything. This is my deep-dive experience, hitting the highs, the lows, and what to perhaps expect when checking out these amazing sights.

Setting Off: The Early Morning Hustle

So, the tour picks you up super early, around 7 AM or so. That might feel painful on vacation, it’s pretty standard for these day trips because Chiang Rai is just a bit of a trek – around three hours or so each way from Chiang Mai. I have to say that the minivan was, you know, surprisingly comfortable, and our guide was also really friendly and made some very funny small talk as we picked up others. It was also quite the mixed crowd, too, some backpackers, some older couples, you name it. One tip for you would be to definitely try and snag a window seat so that you could catch a bit of shut-eye, or, you know, get some good scenery shots. Overall, that initial pickup was, well, a little chaotic but definitely efficient. We were on the road before I could even fully process my morning coffee!

Wat Rong Khun: The Iconic White Temple

Wat Rong Khun, that place they call the White Temple, is where we first showed up, and let me tell you, the pictures honestly don’t do it complete justice. When you walk up to it, that gleaming white color just shining under the sun is very impressive. The artistic detail is rather crazy too; there are, like, hands reaching up from the underworld and those spooky heads hanging from the trees. All that is rather intense! We probably spent about an hour or so here, snapping some photos and wandering around. Is that bathroom really gold, you ask? Well, yes. Yes, it is. A tip I might give you would be to try and find a spot away from the biggest crowds so that you can actually appreciate the finer details. Also, the White Temple tends to be pretty strict about that dress code, just so you know. Shoulders and knees must be covered, which, you know, is quite standard for temples in Thailand.

Wat Rong Suea Ten: The Dazzling Blue Temple

Next on our temple hop was Wat Rong Suea Ten, or as everyone says, that Blue Temple. So, after the bright white of the first one, this was something different. The intense blues just stand out like crazy, and that huge main Buddha statue in there is just… something. I believe the style is maybe more modern, yet it still feels very spiritual and calming. You know, our guide talked about the story of the temple and that local artists were involved, which made it feel even more special to visit. Plan about, perhaps, 45 minutes or so here, that way, you can take it all in. One word of advice, maybe, is to check out the smaller details around the temple grounds – some of those carvings are honestly works of pure artistic genius.

Baan Dam Museum: The Black House’s Dark Allure

Alright, now brace yourself for the Black House, also Baan Dam Museum, because it is very different from the temples. You know, calling it “dark” is really just scratching the surface, actually. So, it is a collection of that artist Thawan Duchanee’s rather unusual work, filled with animal bones, skins, and some kind of strange sculptures. Now, it can also be quite intense, possibly a little disturbing for some. I might suggest to you that you go in there with an open mind and a good dose of curiosity. Some folks in our group really, like, loved it; others were itching to leave after like fifteen minutes. I might say it’s definitely thought-provoking, if nothing else! Give yourself maybe an hour, or so, to wander the grounds and take everything in. Just so you know, photography is typically allowed, yet some indoor spaces might have, you know, some restrictions.

Lunch Break: Fueling Up the Adventure

So, somewhere around midday, we broke for some lunch, and I have to say, it was just alright, to be completely honest. The tour brings you to just a local restaurant. The food they serve is, I suppose, “touristy Thai” – that’s, like, pad thai, green curry, stuff like that. It all was edible, yeah, and filled that hole, yet it was not exactly a gourmet experience. It’s usually served buffet style, which is kind of efficient for keeping the tour on schedule. One piece of advice would be: perhaps don’t expect too much from it, and maybe bring a snack or so, just in case you get a little hungry later. Or there is, of course, always the ever-so-slightly touristy street food at a temple’s entrances.

Other Stops: Red Temple

This tour can include the Red Temple, which is just slightly unique. Or it can go in some totally different, unforeseen direction; however, based on some sources, it looks like you may have to barter for a visit! I suggest that you make sure that the tour will be in fact touring this specific location. The structure is quite new and incredibly tall, with more art around and on it than one might ever know what to do with.

The Ride Back: Reflecting on the Day

That drive back to Chiang Mai felt very, very long. So, after a whole day of temple visits and cultural immersion, everyone on our van was sort of tired. I just passed out, to be completely honest. The guide actually kept things upbeat, telling a few jokes and answering questions, and that definitely helped to pass some time. Expect that you’ll get dropped off back at your hotel or guesthouse somewhere between 6 and 7 PM, so then you might just get some dinner. Overall, you know, that journey is part of the deal on these day trips – bring something to occupy yourself!

Is This Chiang Rai Tour Really Worth It?

So, is the ‘From Cm Chiang Rai White Blue Redblack Temple with Lunch’ tour ultimately worth the money and the crazy early wake-up call? Well, it may just depend on what you want to get out of it, to be honest. If you might be short on time and, or, want to see the top Chiang Rai attractions in a pretty hassle-free way, then yes, it definitely could be a good option. All things considered, you’re paying for some transportation, a guide, and also an organized schedule. It isn’t really a deep cultural experience, of course, and some might also find the schedule to be a bit rushed, that food to be a bit lacking. Now, for me, it was definitely worth it just to see the White and Blue Temples. But those who prefer just traveling at their own speed may be much happier renting a car or just hiring a private driver.

Here is a breakdown to see if the trip sounds good:

What I Liked:

• Seeing the White and Blue Temples – so photogenic!
• Some Comfortable Transportation (for a minivan)
• Having Someone Else Organize Everything

What I Didn’t Like:

• Super long drive
• That food isn’t that amazing.
• It Might Feel A Bit Rushed

In Conclusion:

I will always remember that the “From Cm Chiang Rai White Blue Redblack Temple with Lunch” tour, for good and bad, gave you a way to remember so many aspects of travel to Chiang Rai in an easy to digest and simple manner!

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