Chiang Rai Day Trip: Golden Triangle & White Temple Tour

The White Temple is made entirely of glass and sculptural pieces designed by a single Thai artist.

A 12-hour guided tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai visits four major sites: the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) with its distinctive white architecture, the Golden Triangle at the Thailand-Myanmar-Laos border, a Karen Long Neck tribal village, and Mae Kachan Hot Spring. The tour includes hotel pickup within the city center, lunch at a local restaurant, all entrance fees, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a boat ride across the Mekong River to the Laos border (passport required). An additional surcharge applies for hotels outside the 3 km city center radius.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Chiang Rai sightseeing tour

• Pick up from Chiang Mai hotel
• Drive to Mae Khachan Hot Spring
• View highest geyser in Thailand
• Visit White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Admire White Temple architecture
• Travel to Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen
• Explore Golden Triangle region
• Enjoy views over Mae Khong River
• Optional boat ride on Mae Khong River
• Visit Laos border and boat ride
• See Wat Prathat Phu Khao
• Visit Karen Long Neck tribal village
• Return drive to Chiang Mai
• Arrive back at Chiang Mai hotel

The Experience

The day starts with pickup between 7:00 and 7:15 from your Chiang Mai hotel or meeting point, then heads north toward Chiang Rai. After about an hour on the road, you stop at Mae Kachan Hot Spring to stretch and see Thailand's highest geyser — there are restrooms and a restaurant if you want to grab something before moving on. The real draw comes next: the White Temple, a working Buddhist monastery where every surface gleams with white paint, glass inlays and sculptural details all conceived by a single contemporary Thai artist. You walk through the grounds and see how the design breaks from traditional temple architecture.

From there the tour heads to the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen, where the Mekong River forms the actual border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. You get panoramic views over the river and the three-country junction, and there's the option to take a small boat ride across the Mekong to the Laos border for an extra 300 baht (about 20 minutes on the water). You'll need your passport for this crossing. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour visits Wat Prathat Phu Khao before heading to the Karen Long Neck tribal village, where you spend time with the community. The return to Chiang Mai takes around three hours, with arrival back at your hotel between 8:00 and 9:00 pm.

An English-speaking guide stays with the group the entire day and handles all the logistics — entrance fees are included, as is the air-conditioned transport and lunch. The tour works for families with children and people of any fitness level. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring your passport, and pack a light layer since you'll be in and out of the vehicle. If your hotel is outside the 3 km radius of central Chiang Mai (Night Bazaar, old city, Nimmana Road and nearby areas), you'll pay a surcharge on the day of the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Chiang Mai (Night Bazaar, old city, Nimmana Road and nearby areas).
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• entrance fees to all four sites.
• air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• a boat ride across the Mekong River to the Laos border (passport required, about 20 minutes).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sightseeingbangkok.com

Is this one for you?Pick the shared tour to travel with other visitors and split costs, or book private if your group wants a dedicated guide and vehicle for the full 12 hours.

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Top questions

What exactly is the White Temple and why is it so different from other temples in Thailand?

Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, is an active Buddhist monastery where the entire structure is painted white and decorated with glass, mirrors and sculptural artwork all designed by a contemporary Thai artist. The design breaks from traditional temple style and creates a striking visual effect that makes it one of Chiang Rai's most photographed sites.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

Yes, you must bring a valid passport. The tour includes a boat ride across the Mekong River to the Laos border, and you'll need your passport for this crossing. The boat ride costs an extra 300 baht (optional) and takes about 20 minutes.

What is the Golden Triangle and what will I see there?

The Golden Triangle is the point where the Mekong River forms the border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. From the viewing area in Chiang Saen, you see panoramic views over the river and the physical triangle formed by the three countries meeting at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price. The meal break happens after you visit the Golden Triangle and before heading to the Long Neck tribal village.

How long is the drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, and what time do we get back?

The initial drive to Chiang Rai takes about an hour. The full tour is 12 hours, and you arrive back at your Chiang Mai hotel between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. The return journey from Chiang Rai takes around three hours.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off within the city center, lunch, all entrance fees to the sites, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, a boat trip across the Mekong River to the Laos border, and an English-speaking guide for the entire day are all included. An extra 300 baht is optional for the boat ride if you want to cross to the Laos border.