Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

5travelqueenNi 5:00 PM Sep 9, 2022

Worth a bit of a detour!
We added Chiang Rai on to the end of our trip just for this temple, and it didn't disappoint, its just so different! Annoyingly all the Instagram posers seem to love it too, but once you make it past them on the bridge it's a pleasant walk around, admiring the intricate details and bizarre features. For a 100 baht entrance fee this is a don't miss stop in northern Thailand. They will absolutely close on time and start warning announcements 30 minutes before but you can see the front of the temple without entering.

4jrapeter 5:00 PM Feb 9, 2020

A tad expensive comparably but an amazing sight
This was originally free (or so we are led to believe) and then was 50 bahts for foreigners and now its 100 bahts each for foreigners. It’s pretty expensive in Temple terms. It is however, a magnificent sight, best visited as early as possible after the 8am opening if you want photos without people in them. In fairness we arrived at about 8.45am and it was still fairly quiet but as we left at 10.30am it was getting pretty busy. If you are staying in Chiang Rai you can get a blue bus from the central bus station for 20bahts each one way. You can get it back as well but have to find the bus stop! We got a songthaew back and negotiated it at 120bahts to go immediately with just us (although he picked up a couple of locals on the way LOL). We probably could have held out for 100 but who cares for 50p? Purchased and rebuilt in 1997 by a wealthy Thai artist, this places gleams and twinkles bright white with mirrored tile pieces. There are a number of whiter and a number of gold temples and pagodas but this is not a homage to ancient Thai history as some of the wall murals have real life characters (Elvis, Michael Jackson & Zinidane Zidane) and fantasy characters (Superman, Batman, Harry’s Potter, Minions, Matrix etc etc) painted in them! Outside there are statues/busts/creations including characters from Aliens, Terminator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Predator etc etc. Don’t be put off though, the architecture and design is stunning and not spoiled by these affectations of modernity. As mentioned, we spent 1 3/4 hours there for our 200bahts (£5) and thought it was very good.