Fresh Air › Instead of Chiang Mai Old City
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is Chiang Mai's smaller, quieter neighbour to the north. The main draw is Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple — a surreal, entirely white contemporary temple still under construction by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, incorporating modern imagery (superheroes, cartoon characters) into Buddhist iconography in a way that is genuinely strange and compelling. The Black House (Baan Dam) across town is the opposite — a complex of dark, wood and bone and fur, created by another artist. The Golden Triangle border area with Myanmar and Laos is 90 minutes away.
Why visit
The White Temple is extraordinary and architecturally unlike anything else in Thailand. The Black House is fascinating. The Golden Triangle region and Mekong border area are nearby.
Crowd level
Receives some visitors for the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) but the city itself is much quieter than Chiang Mai.
Best time
November-February
Getting there
Small airport with flights from Bangkok. 3hrs by bus from Chiang Mai. Songthaews within the city.
Tradeoffs
Less to do than Chiang Mai as a base. Fewer restaurant and accommodation options.
Direct comparisons
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Region
- Northern Thailand
- Fresh Air Score
- 79/100
- Cost level
- $
- Distance from Chiang Mai Old City
- 180 km