Activity Details
This full day tour will take you through forested hills and beautiful countryside to two stunning yet incredibly different sites: Chiang Rai’s White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Black House (Baan Dam). The White Temple looks like something from heaven while the Black House is mysterious and dark. These are two fascinating sites that can be easily reached during a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Begin the tour in the morning with a drive through Northern Thailand’s scenic countryside. Roughly halfway to Chiang Rai you’ll take a short coffee break and stretch your legs at a local natural sulfur spring. Here you may see vendors selling eggs to visitors. That’s because the hot spring is hot enough to boil the eggs!
The first major stop is to the dazzling White Temple, which is arguably one of the most recognizable structures in all of Thailand. It’s the ongoing project of a local Thai artist and is designed to reflect principles of Buddhism and enlightenment. The White Temple is composed of nine different buildings that are entirely white and decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures. It is also inlaid with small pieces of glass and mirrors that glint and shimmer in the sunshine, making it particularly stunning.
After exploring the grounds of the White Temple, take a break for lunch at the White Temple’s onsite Thai restaurant. Afterward, the tour will continue to the Black House, just a few kilometers away.
The Black House, which is locally known as Baan Dam, is a collection of buildings that are strikingly different from the White Temple. The buildings are decorated in a ‘dark art’ style complete with heavy wood and metal accents. Inside you will find displays of skeletons and animal skins as well as a dungeon with torture-like devices. There are also remnants of animals such as crocodiles, bears, and elephants throughout the property. Some people may find it upsetting but many find the Black House fascinating.
Itinerary
Pickup will be between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM if your hotel is in the Old City and Night Bazaar area. Pickup will be between 7:30 AM and 7:45 AM if your hotel is within 3 km outside of the Old City.
- 9:00 AM Relax with a short break at a natural hot spring (approximately 20 minutes)
- 11:00 AM Explore the White Temple in Chiang Rai (approximately 45 minutes)
- 12:00 PM Enjoy lunch at the White Temple’s Thai restaurant
- 1:30 PM Wander through the many buildings of the Black House (approximately 45 minutes)
- *Optional tour Long Neck Karen hill tribe village (approximately 45 minutes)
- 3:30 PM Visit the Blue Temple (approximately 30 minutes)
- 4:00 PM Depart from Chiang Rai
- 7:30 PM Return to your hotel in Chiang Mai
Inclusions
- English-speaking tour guide
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or guesthouse in center Chiang Mai area
- Transportation via minibus with air conditioning and driver
- All entrance fees
- Thai lunch
- One small bottle of water
- Travel accident insurance
Exclusions
- Gratuities
Change & Refund Policies
- Free cancellation at or before 01:00 at least 1 day before the date of use
- Cancellations made after 01:00 at least 1 day before the date of use will incur a cancellation fee of 100%
- Partial cancellation of this booking is not permitted
- If you need to change your booking, please cancel and rebook
- Trip.com only provides the booking service for this travel product. The specific cancellation policies are strictly in accordance with the supplier's standards. Please read carefully before booking
How to Use It
- You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity
Activity Essentials
Included from any Chiang Mai City Hotel or Guesthouse in a 3KM radius. From out of town we need to make arrangement or you need to meet us in the city to a meeting point.
This is a Join in Group Tour, approximately 18 persons.
Traveller Information
Adult: Age 12 to 75
Child: Age 3 to 11
Important Information
You will be allowed to spend as much time as possible at both sites depending on the weather, traffic, and other visitors. Therefore, the times of the activities in the above schedule may vary.
This is a Join in Group Tour, approximately 18 persons.
