The Blue Temple, Black House and Wat Huay Pla Kang

The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

A newer working temple in the Rim Kok area on the edge of Chiang Rai town. It's known for its deep sapphire-blue walls and gold detail, and for the white Buddha image in the main hall. It's smaller and quicker to see than the White Temple: most people spend 30 to 60 minutes here. There's no entrance fee, but the same dress rules apply, with shoulders and knees covered.

The Black House (Baan Dam Museum)

Despite the nickname "Black Temple", Baan Dam is not a temple. It's the former home and studio of the Thai artist Thawan Duchanee (1939–2014), who began building it in 1975. Around 40 dark timber and stone buildings spread across the gardens and hold his work and collections: animal skins, horns, bones and heavy carved furniture. It's a deliberate counterpoint to the White Temple, and some visitors find it macabre.

There's a small entrance fee, and the museum closes for lunch around midday, so check the hours before you go.

Wat Huay Pla Kang (the "Big Buddha")

A temple complex about 8 km north of town, known for a giant white statue visible from far away. It's often called the Big Buddha, but the statue is actually Guan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy. You can take a lift up inside for views over the rice fields and hills. Beside it stands a nine-tiered pagoda. Some tours list the complex as the "Red Temple".

What order to visit

The White Temple is south of town and the other three are north, so a sensible loop from Chiang Rai is:

1. White Temple first, at opening time
2. Blue Temple, back through town to the north side
3. Black House, further north, avoiding its lunch break
4. Wat Huay Pla Kang in the late afternoon, when the light on the statue is softer

With a private tour, a car or Grab rides, that's a comfortable full day. If you're coming from Chiang Mai, check which temples your tour covers. See day trips from Chiang Mai.