Chiang Rai is home to some amazing Thai Buddhist temples, one of which is Blue Temple Chiang Rai, also known as ‘The Blue Temple’ or ‘Wat Rong Seur Ten’.
Small but unbelievably beautiful, Blue Temple Chiang Rai is one of the newest temples in Chiang Rai, having recently been constructed in 2016. Locals and tourists flock here in numbers to witness the eye-catching vibrant sapphire blue colour, which is visible throughout the temple.
A nice bit of history to note is that ‘Rong Seur Ten’ in Thai translates to ‘House of the dancing tiger’. It is said, historically, tigers used to roam where the newly built temple stands today, leaping into the Mae Kok river close by.
Read on for everything you need to know about Blue Temple Chiang Rai including the Blue Temple dress code, opening hours and where to stay.
How to get to Blue Temple Chiang Rai
Address: Wat Rong Seur Ten, หมู่ที่ 2 306 Maekok Rd, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Blue Temple Chiang Rai is only a short 10 min drive from the centre of Chiang Rai. The most adventurous and hassle-free way to get there, in our opinion, is by scooter. We rented a scooter whenever we could throughout our time in Thailand, and not only did it save us a lot of money on taxis, but it saved us on something worth more than money…time!
Search ‘The Blue Temple’ in Google Maps or Maps.me and it should come up with easy to follow directions. If you’re a couple or 2 friends, make sure whoever is on the back of the scooter directs the driver via their phone.
If you’re solo, be sure to pull over safely every so often to look at the map or have a headset in and let the navigator direct you via voice. Come on guys, safety first.
Alternatively, you can get there by taxi or tuk tuk and let the driver do all the work. Check out the Grab app for a hassle free and fair taxi rate. We used this throughout Thailand whenever we needed a taxi.
If you feel like making a day of it, be sure to hire the driver for the day so you can visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and The Black Temple (Baan Dam Museum/The Black House), they are also very beautiful temples in Chiang Rai.
Blue Temple Chiang Rai opening hours
The Blue Temple opening times are generally around 6 am – 7 pm. We would suggest arriving just before sunrise for some really nice photos. Peak times for tourists are usually between 11 am – 1 pm
Blue Temple Chiang Rai entrance fee
Another great asset to Blue Temple Chiang Rai is that it is free! No entrance fee required.
Blue Temple Chiang Rai exterior
One of the most obvious things you will notice about the Blue Temple is…how blue it is. It has the name ‘Blue Temple’ for a reason.
Featuring a lot of gold and blue, it does make some grand viewing. The architecture is genius and it is easy to spend at least an hour just taking in all the intricate details which went into building this magnificent temple.
In our opinion this temple looks more modern than some of the other temples we have seen throughout Thailand. Yes, it is newer, however the actual design is more contemporary.
Scattered throughout the exterior of the temple are carved statues of Buddha and other significant figures of Buddhism.
Blue Temple Chiang Rai dress code
Knees and shoulders should be covered when entering the temple. In addition to this, shoes should also be removed. A few other respectable things to take note of are:
- No smoking
- No affection towards each other (hugging, kissing)
- Keep quiet
- No flash photography
As stunning as the temple is, it is still a place of worship. Please respect the space and others visiting the temple.
Blue Temple Chiang Rai interior
As soon as your eyes set a gaze inside the temple, it would take some effort to not spot the master centrepiece. An elegantly crafted statue of Buddha in a shiny pearly white colour, taking centre stage.
The impressive intricacy of the exterior flows through to the interior. From the pillars, to the frames of the paintings, each detail is delicately crafted and seems to have individual meaning.
The use of colour inside the Blue Temple is probably the brightest we have come across, too much colour can often be excessive and over saturated, however, these colours seem to work while remaining elegant.
Updated appearance
Since our visit, Blue Temple Chiang Rai has had further development in its appearance. There are new structures which have been built, and are being built, outside the temple and even in the parking area. The most prominent structure being a new pearl white Buddha statue in the outside grounds of the Blue Temple.
It seems like this temple could look different each year as there is an on-going phase of new structures being built. This may be due to increased popularity of the temple.
When we visited in 2017, the temple was busy but still enjoyable, however, rumour has it that more and more tourists are beginning to visit the Blue Temple, often part of a tourist group with a guide.
Hopefully it doesn’t get too over crowded as this is one of the temples we really enjoyed, for its bright and cheerful colours as well as not being so touristy.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
Whether you want a cheap and cheerful stay or laid-back luxury, we have you covered.
We personally stayed in Ann Hostel for 2 nights had little complaints. It was just used for a bed, a hot shower and Wi-Fi, nothing spectacular and it was cheap. They have some decent rooms for couples like us.
Luxury: Grand Vista Hotel Chiang Rai – Featuring a restaurant, a bar, outdoor swimming pool, air conditioning, 24/h front desk and free parking, you could not ask for any more. This is one of the top hotels in Chiang Rai.
Budget couple: Baan Nukanong Guesthouse – A little more luxurious than Ann Hostel, where we stayed, it features double rooms including your own fridge and most importantly, air conditioning.
Backpacker: Mercy Hostel – Probably the most well-known hostel in Chiang Rai, situated right in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to meet other backpackers whilst you have a game of pool in their games and lounge area. There’s a mix of dorm rooms for both male & females, as well as private rooms.
TOP TIPS
- Bring clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to enter the temple
- Arrive before 10-11am before the tourist groups, for a less crowded experience
- Need a taxi? Use the Grab app for a fair price and hassle-free booking
Spending more time in Thailand? Have a look at our Thailand blogs for more adventures.
