White Temple Area

The area around Wat Rong Khun — universally known as the White Temple — stretches south of Chiang Rai along Highway 1 and contains several striking artistic landmarks clustered within a few kilometres of each other. Wat Rong Khun itself is the masterwork of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, an all-white temple encrusted with mirror glass that blazes in the sunlight; its bridge over a pool of outstretched hands remains one of the most photographed images in Thailand. Nearby, Baan Dam (the Black House museum, 13 km north of Chiang Rai) provides a compelling dark counterpoint — a collection of black teakwood structures displaying antlers, animal hides, and macabre artworks by National Artist Thawan Duchanee. The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) adds a third colour to the circuit, with its vivid lapis-blue interior.