Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Day 9
I have been to Chiang Rai before as a day tour along with visiting Golden Triangle, hill tribes, and an island of Laos – it was a beautiful experience. In this Chiang Rai day-trip, I would like to revisit its magnificent white temple, which is easily accessible as a round-trip from Chiang Mai. I always find it very hard to describe how spectacular the place is – you need to see it by yourself!
Highlights of the Day
- Bus to Chiang Rai
- Visit Wat Rong Khun
- Bus back to Chiang Mai
Greenbus to Chiang Rai
Our hostel serves toasts, jam, fruits, and tea as breakfast for free on the ground floor. After breakfast, we took a songthaew to the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal. It took around 20 min to reach.
I would advise you to prebook your bus ticket if you are planning to visit and come back on the same day.
Greenbus has plenty of buses of different classes going to Chiang Rai and coming back. We got the 9.30 AM bus, which was A-class. There are two more higher classes like X-class and V-class that cost higher.
A-class has narrower seats than other classes, has no toilet on board unlike the other two classes, and also does not serve snack and drink unlike the other two classes. X-class has fair seats, toilet on board, and snacks and drink too. V-class has wide and ultra-spacious seats, along with pillow and blanket in addition to the X-class facilities.
The bus takes around 3 hours to reach the temple of Chiang Rai.
If you want to get down at the White Temple, do let the bus attendant know as the temple is on the way, so they would drop you right near the temple, which is around 10 km before Chiang Rai bus station. But while coming back, you have to go to the bus station to catch the bus back to Chiang Mai.
Wat Rong Khun aka White Temple, Chiang Rai
We reached Wat Rong Khun at aroung 12.30 PM. The bus dropped us very close to the temple, just 2 min walk away.
Before we explore the temple, we decided to have lunch at one of many restaurants in the temple complex.
The temple complex is crazy as I have mentioned earlier – it is awe-inspiring! It is designed by a Chiang Rai-born artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, by his own fund.
Bus Back to Chiang Mai
There is another bus terminal inside the city but we had to catch the bus from the newer bus terminal, which is closer to the White Temple.
It was around 3.30 PM by the watch. We got a shared songthaew that dropped us at the Chiang Rai bus terminal 2. We boarded the X-class Greenbus at 4.15 PM and reached Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal at around 7.30 PM.
The food was of course delicious and cost was economical.
A songthaew brought us to the same restaurant we visited yesterday – yes, it’s worth a revisit – Taste from Heaven, Chiang Mai. It is a vegetarian restaurant that is also vegan-friendly – one of the best ones in Thailand that I have tried.
A songthaew dropped us from the restaurant to our hostel. This was the last night for us in Chiang Mai this time! Adieu!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 9 in Thailand – Chiang Mai.
- Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (round): 400
- Getting around: 150
- Food: 230
- Miscellaneous: 60
Total expense (roughly): 840 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
I love the Plain rice with stir-fried vegetables! It looks so yummy! Whenever I travel to Thailand, I always get the green curry. Wish I can visit Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai soon.
Next time you are here, do visit the north.
Wow, what a stunning place! I will be visiting the area in just 2-3 weeks! I’m glad I stumbled upon this information, I’ll surely be using it soon.
Glad if it is helpful.
It looks so spectacular in photos, so I can only imagine how impressive it must be in reality.. The details and intricacy of the architecture are absolutely incredible, even the bathroom! I haven’t heard much about this place before but now I’m adding it to my list for my dream trip to Thailand.
Yes, it is a lovely place indeed.
I’m really gutted I didn’t make it to Chiang Rai when I was last in Thailand. The white temple is incredible, but those hands coming up from the ground, not so much! I also love Thai food, and yes, it’s super cheap. Will have to return one day.
Next time you are here, you must visit the deep north Lisa.
Would love to visit the white temples one day. I have been to Thailand many times but not travelled to this part. Total cost of under a thousand is a great planing and very affordable as well. They architecture and the food are my weakness and hope can visit soon.
Yes, next time you here, visit the north.
Thanks for listing all useful details about Chiang Rai. Loved to see most visited white temple and it really looks splendidly beautiful. Also the hands coming out of hell for help sculpture is interesting to know about. Good to know that you found Taste of Heaven a vegetarian restaurant as I am also vegetarian and would surely check this one.
I love the temple in Chiang Rai and the food in Chiang Mai.
The white temple has fascinated me for a very long time. Cannot wait to explore this temple along with other sites in Chiang Mai when I visit Thailand next. And yes, the bathroon looks extremely luxurious, love the details.
Yes Suma, such a bathroom I have never pee’d in before, haha!
This is so amazing. I have just returned from Thailand and one of the highlights of my trip was Chiang Rai. I stayed there for four entire days and toured its surroundings too. The White Temple is so full of symbolism but also a great masterpiece of architecture. Happy to see again pictures of it.
Oh it’s so great to know that you actually have been there.
I didn’t visit Chiang Rai when I was last there. The White Temple is stunning, and I agree, that that’s probably the most beautiful bathroom in Asia! That’s a great tip too about asking the bus driver when you reach the White Temple.
Totally agreed.
Yeah, I’ve been there as well, and that place is just something else! I can honestly say that is one of the most unique spots around!
Totally agree with you.