Day trip to Chiang Rai, White Temple, Black House Museum and Golden Triangle (CR04)

A day filled with the very best sights of Northern Thailand

Travel to one of the most famous attractions in all of Thailand, and make a variety of interesting stops along the way. The absolute highlight is the White Temple of course, but Baandam (The Black House), the Golden Triangle, the imposing Maesai border crossing, Long Neck Village and the Mekong are all worthwhile sights on their own.

Bring an empty camera with a full battery, because this is a full program!

On your way to Chiang Rai, you’ll make a quick stop at the Thaweesin Hot springs, which is conveniently located at a rest stop. The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun was designed and built by local artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat, who wanted to bring Buddhist teachings closer to the people. Its beautiful white ordination hall (Phra Ubosot) is decorated with small mirror fragments, along with large mural paintings of the Lord Buddha in different gestures. The details are incredible and wherever your eyes rest, you are bound to see something new.

Baandam Museum (The Black house) is a complex of different buildings built from stone, wood and other natural materials, and decorated with paintings, elaborate sculptures and furniture-like installations by Thawan Duchanee. You will see Burmese, Balinese and other worldly influences throughout the compound as well.

During your Chiang Rai tour, you will also visit the Golden Triangle, a region infamous for its opium production, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at a single spot. Take in the views of the mighty Mekong river and make a quick border run into Laos by longtail boat. You will visit a small community of Karen hill tribe people, well-known for its women and their long necks.

What to expect during this tour?

For an in-depth overview of this tour, read this blog with many more pictures.
Please take into account that these are approximate times and that the guide can switch around these activities, depending on weather conditions or other events:

07:00 – 08:00 am   Pick up at your accommodation
09:00 – 09:30 am   Stop at the hot springs (20 min)
10:30 – 11:00 am   Visit White temple (45min)
11.45 – 12:00 pm   Lunch (30 – 45min)
12:30 – 01:00 pm   Visit black house museum (30 – 40min)
01:45 – 02:15 pm   Visit Long Neck village (30 min)
03:00 – 03:30 pm   Visit Golden Triangle (30 min)
03:30 – 04:45 pm   Boat trip to Laos and visit Laos market (the boat ride is an additional 30 BHT)
05:00 – 05:30 pm   Departure from Chiang Rai

PLEASE TAKE YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THIS TRIP
It will not be stamped, but it is required for the Laos boat trip, and at the rare occasion of a police checkpoint.

What will be included?

• Transportation
•  Lunch at local restaurant
•  English-speaking guide
•  Insurance
•  Entrance ticket

Pick up and drop off time

• pick up from your accommodation 7.00 am-7.30 am
• drop off at your accommodation or a night market between 9.30 pm and 10.00 pm

Please note that

• This is a join-in tour, so the time of departure and arrival is an approximation. If you have a flight, bus or train to catch, please let your tour guide know well in advance.

***There are 12 people in this joined tour and transportation is by minivan***