Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai tour: Temples & Golden Triangle

Four temples and a river in a single day from Chiang Mai

This full-day tour departs Chiang Mai early and returns the same evening, visiting the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Black House museum, the Blue Temple, and the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, with a boat trip on the Mekong River included. Hotel pickup and an English or Mandarin-speaking guide are part of the package. The itinerary also includes a stop at Mae Kachan Hot Spring and lunch at a local Thai restaurant. A second package option adds a visit to a Karen Long Neck village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. White Temple1h · entry included
2. Blue Temple40m · entry included
3. Golden Triangle30m · entry included
4. Mae Kachan Hot Spring30m

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai day tour

• Pickup from hotel early morning
• Visit Mae Kachan Hot Springs
• Explore White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Tour Bann Dam (Black House) Museum
• Visit Chiang Rai Blue Temple
• See Golden Triangle border area
• Boat trip on Mekong River
• Return drive to Chiang Mai

The experience

The minibus picks you up from your hotel around 7 am and heads north toward Chiang Rai. The drive passes Mae Kachan Hot Spring, where you'll stop for a break halfway: the thermal waters sit right beside Highway 118, and the driver needs the pause as much as you might want to stretch. From there the road continues to the temples.

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is the centerpiece: an entirely white structure with mirrored glass mosaics embedded in the plaster, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a renowned local artist, to represent the purity of Lord Buddha. A white standing Buddha statue stands in front. The Black House (Baan Dam) is the opposite: a sprawling museum and art studio built by national artist Thawan Duchanee, mixing traditional northern Thai buildings with modern designs and thought-provoking artwork. The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seua Ten) features a magnificent blue interior with a large white Buddha. Its paintings echo the style of the White Temple. Between the three, Chiang Rai earns its nickname as the city of colorful temples.

The Golden Triangle is where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet at the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. You'll take a boat trip on the Mekong to see the three countries from the water. You stay on the Thai side and view the landscape and villages across the river. Lunch is at a local Thai restaurant. The return to Chiang Mai follows the same route, arriving back at your hotel in the evening after roughly 13 hours out.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer by minibus.
• English or Mandarin-speaking guide.
• entry to the White Temple, Black House museum and Blue Temple.
• boat trip on the Mekong River at the Golden Triangle.
• lunch at a local Thai restaurant.
• stop at Mae Kachan Hot Spring.
• travel insurance under Thai law.

Options for this experience

2 options

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: White, Black and Blue Temple, Golden Triangle and Boat TripGuide in English or Chinese · 07:00Pickup is included

PKG "B" with Karen Village includedGuide in English or Chinese · 07:00PKG "B" with Karen Village included: Chiang Rai tour covering the White, Black and Blue Temple, Golden Triangle and Boat Trip, plus the Karen Long Neck Village, with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15.19

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Thailandlocaltour.com

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Chiang Mai with limited time: the early departure and single-day loop covers Chiang Rai's three signature temples plus the Golden Triangle and back by evening. Choose Package B if visiting the Karen village is a priority for you.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the White Temple and why is it all white?

Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, was designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat to represent the purity of Lord Buddha. The entire structure is white with sparkling mirrored glass mosaics set into the plaster, and a white standing Buddha statue stands in front of the main building.

Can I visit the Karen Long Neck village on this tour?

The Karen Long Neck village is included only if you book Package B at checkout. The standard package visits the three temples, Golden Triangle and Mekong River instead.

What happens at the Golden Triangle?

The Golden Triangle is where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet at the point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. You take a boat trip on the Mekong River to view the three countries and the villages along the banks from the water. You remain on the Thai side and do not cross into other countries.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, lunch at a local Thai restaurant is included in the tour price and is part of the day's itinerary.

How early does the tour start and when do I return?

Pickup from your hotel is around 7 am, and the full day is approximately 13 hours, so you'll return to your hotel in the evening.