Whatever else Chiang Rai might be famous for, or might be on your list of reasons to visit the town, you can’t help but be in awe of the outstanding wats that can be found there. All the colours: black, white and blue are simply stunning, worthy all on their own for a side-trip. Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, shimmers in the northern heat; Baan Dam, the Black Museum is high-grade spookiness; Wat Rong Seua Ten, the Blue Temple overwhelms your senses. For non-colours, you’ve got the massive Wat Huay Pla Kang dedicated to Kuan Im, the Goddess of Mercy, Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Ming Muang built in 1262. And that’s just to name a few…

Wat Huay Pla Kang

Wat Rong Seua Ten

Wat Rong Khun

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Ming Muang

Baan Dam