Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip from Chiang Mai with Pickup

Summary

White Temple’s mirror tiles, Blue Temple’s glow and a hilltop pagoda all in one day

You’ll ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with a local guide, stopping first for coffee before exploring the surreal White Temple’s mirrored halls, tasting northern Thai food for lunch, then wandering through the glowing Blue Temple and climbing the Red Temple’s pagoda for countryside views. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter and little surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

By the time we pulled up at DOI CHAANG Caffè Mae Suai, I was already half-awake from the drive out of Chiang Mai — three hours is longer than it sounds when you’re watching mist roll over rice fields. Our guide, Pim, handed out water in these glass bottles (nice touch) and pointed to the coffee shop’s garden. I wandered around just to stretch my legs, but ended up distracted by a couple of older locals playing chess under a tree. The air smelled like roasted beans and something sweet I couldn’t place. Maybe pandan?

The White Temple — Wat Rong Khun — is honestly stranger in person than any photo. It almost glows; all those mirror tiles catch the sun so sharply you have to squint. Pim explained how the artist wanted it to look like heaven on earth, but I kept noticing tiny details: cartoon characters hidden in murals, little skulls dangling from trees outside. There was this moment where a monk walked past me and nodded — I nearly dropped my phone because I’d been trying to get the perfect shot of that bridge everyone photographs. Didn’t expect to feel so weirdly moved by it all.

Lunch was at this low-key spot nearby (not included, but cheap), where Pim ordered for us since none of us could pronounce anything properly. I tried khao soi — still think about that curry broth sometimes — and then we headed for the Blue Temple. Wat Rong Seur Ten is smaller but feels calmer; blue everywhere, gold trim catching late afternoon light. Inside was quiet except for some kids giggling near the entrance, their parents lighting incense. The main keyword here is “day trip Chiang Rai temples” if you’re searching online — just saying.

Last stop: Red Temple (Wat Huay Pla Kang). You see this giant white Guan Yin statue way before you get there — she looks out over everything. We climbed up the pagoda (nine floors… my legs were jelly after) and watched clouds drift across green hills below Chiang Rai city. There was a breeze up there that made everything feel lighter somehow. On the drive back to Chiang Mai, Pim played old Thai pop songs on low volume while most of us dozed off or stared out at dusk settling over the fields.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit temples and local coffee shop

• Stop at DOI CHAANG Caffè Mae Suai
• Marvel at the White Temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Explore the Blue Temple
• Visit the Red Temple and pagoda

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai take?

The drive is about 3 hours each way; expect a full-day tour.

Are entrance fees included in this Chiang Rai temples tour?

Yes, entry fees for White Temple are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

No, lunch is not included but there’s a stop at a local restaurant where you can buy food.

What temples are visited on this Chiang Rai day trip?

The tour visits White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seur Ten), and Red Temple (Wat Huay Pla Kang).

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Chiang Mai?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

Is public transportation available near departure point?

Yes, public transportation options are nearby.

Can pregnant travelers join this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers due to distance and duration.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Chiang Mai, entry tickets for White Temple, an English-speaking local guide throughout the journey, air-conditioned transport with glass-bottled drinking water provided onboard—lunch is at your own expense at a local restaurant before returning in the evening.