White Temple, Black House & Blue Temple tour from Chiang Mai

Three temples, three distinct styles, one morning-to-afternoon arc through Chiang Rai

A guided day tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Province visits the White Temple, Black House and Blue Temple with entrance fees, lunch and air-conditioned transport. The White Temple is the centerpiece—a white chapel that photographs distinctly—and the route strings all three sites together in a single outing without you arranging the stops or the timing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit temples and Black House in Chiang Rai

• Travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
• Explore White Temple and take pictures
• Visit Black House (Baan Dam) art site
• See the Blue Temple of Chiang Rai
• Return to Chiang Mai

The Experience

The day starts with a drive north from Chiang Mai into Chiang Rai Province. Your guide handles the route and the entrance fees at each stop, so you step out at the White Temple ready to photograph it without a queue or a ticket desk to navigate. The temple's white exterior is the visual anchor of the tour; it's the stop most travelers remember and the one that takes the longest to explore. From there you move to the Black House—Baan Dam—where the architecture and artwork run entirely in black, a stark contrast that makes the style itself the point. The Blue Temple comes last, painted sapphire blue inside and out, and it's the newest of the three color-coded temples in the province.

Lunch is included partway through the day, and the guide speaks English throughout. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters on a 10-hour outing in northern Thailand heat. The route also passes a hot spring, though the stops at the three temples are the core of the itinerary. By the time you head back to Chiang Mai in the afternoon, you've seen three distinct architectural statements without managing pickups, timing or entry logistics yourself.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all three temples.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• hotel pickup in Chiang Mai.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Kiyzo

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour if you're comfortable sharing the vehicle and the guide with other travelers and want a lower price; pick the private tour if you'd rather set the pace and have the guide's attention to yourself, which also lets you linger longer at whichever temple appeals most.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What makes the White Temple different from other temples in Thailand?

The White Temple stands out for its white color throughout—the chapel, the structures and the grounds are all painted white, which is unusual in Thai temple architecture and makes it instantly recognizable in photographs.

How long is the drive from Chiang Mai to the temples?

The full tour runs 10 hours from pickup to return, which includes drive time, time at each of the three temples, lunch and the stops in between.

Is the Black House actually a temple?

The Black House, or Baan Dam, is an art installation and museum space rather than an active temple—it's a collection of traditional-style buildings and structures all rendered in black, showcasing a particular artistic vision.

Can I choose which temples to visit, or do I see all three?

The tour visits all three temples—the White Temple, Black House and Blue Temple—as a fixed route; the itinerary includes all three stops.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is included in the tour price, though drinks are not covered and you can purchase them separately during the meal stop.

Do I need to be in good physical condition for this tour?

The tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the length of the day and the walking involved at each site.