My adventure to Chiang Rai was sparked by a previous motorcycle trip I took in Mae Hong Son that left me yearning for more. Without a second thought, I pulled out a map and decided to embark on another exhilarating motorcycle journey, this time to Thailand’s northernmost province. My plan was to ride up the mountains, soak in the stunning scenery, and experience the unique culture of the region. With the motto “The Plan is No Plan” in mind, I booked my flights and loosely mapped out my itinerary for 4 days and 3 nights. Join me as I take you on an unforgettable journey through the northern landscapes of Thailand.

It all began with my flight from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Rai on the earliest Thai Vietjet flight, VZ130. I arrived in Chiang Rai around 8 AM and headed out of the airport through gate number 1 to catch the CR Bus to the city, where I would be dropped off at the old bus station (Night Bazaar). The plan for this trip was quite flexible – I didn’t rush through anything. Although the bus ride was a bit slower compared to a taxi, it was much cheaper. The fare for the entire trip was only 20 THB (0.60 USD) per person.

After about half an hour, the bus arrived at the old bus station. I looked around for a motorbike rental shop but didn’t see any. So, I asked a local who recommended that I check out B-Rider shop. I walked around the clock tower and found it on the way to the temple. It was an easy 5-minute walk from the old bus station (you can even find it on Google maps, very convenient). After that, I went straight to the Yellow Van Cafe to have breakfast as it was close to the motorcycle rental shop. This cafe is well-known in Chiang Rai and has been opened for a long time. Anyone who visits Chiang Rai must give it a try. I didn’t have to wait long for the menu to be opened and ordered a pan omelette and hot chocolate malt (Ovaltine). It was my first meal in Chiang Rai, and it was delicious with a cool atmosphere. I already felt happy at the beginning of this trip.

After having breakfast, I was ready to go to the first destination of the day, which was “Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)” – the famous temple of Chiang Rai province that was designed, constructed and developed under the control of Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat – a national artist and a donor of the temple. I traveled from the city and arrived at the temple in less than 20 minutes. It’s not difficult to spot the temple because it has a white Buddhist temple with intricate details standing next to the main road. If you’re lost, you can easily open Google Maps. Wat Rong Khun is open for free to Thai visitors (and 50 THB for foreigners, if I remember correctly). The beauty of this temple lies in its “uniqueness” as both the temple and its various structures are all in white. Each detail of the temple’s intricate carvings and murals is truly a work of art, with authentic Thai architecture that refers to the principles of Buddhist philosophy. Although Wat Rong Khun has been built for over 23 years, everyone who visits will see that Ajarn Chalermchai’s team is still working on further construction and details. I have heard that “Ajarn Chalermchai has dedicated his entire remaining life to this temple and will continue to develop it.“

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I have to admit that every corner of the Wat Rong Khun is truly stunning. Even the bathrooms are decorated with artwork! Besides the beauty, I also absorbed the principles of Buddhism through the exquisite artwork. I spent nearly two hours walking around, taking photos and admiring the intricate details.

After leaving Wat Rong Khun, I continued on to another temple that shares a similar name but has a unique and “unusual” style: Wat Rong Seur Ten (The Blue Temple). It’s about a 45-minute ride from the White Temple, following the same route from the city and heading towards Mae Sai district. If you’re unsure of the way, you can always use Google Maps like I did.

If the hallmark of Wat Rong Khun is “white color” throughout the temple, the hallmark of Wat Rong Seur Ten is “blue color”. The Blue Temple was designed and developed by Ajarn Phutthaa Kabkaew, a local artist from Chiang Rai and a student of Ajarn Chalermchai. The architecture of this temple focuses on the story of Buddhism similar to the White Temple, but the color tone used in the design emphasizes blue color. In my opinion, this gives a strong and cool feeling.

.

.

.

.

Wat Rong Seua Ten temple may not be as big as the Wat Rong Khun temple, but is just as impressive. I didn’t spend too much time there, just enough to take some photos before heading to my main destination for the day, Doi Mae Salong. I’ll be staying there tonight (I’m not very hungry since I had a late breakfast…I’ll just have dinner later). To get there, I took the Phaholyothin road and headed north towards Mae Chan or Mae Sai district, then turned left at the Mae Salong intersection. There’s a big sign there, so it’s not difficult to find the way up the mountain. The journey from Wat Rong Seua Ten took about an hour and a half, and the road up the mountain is quite steep, so extra caution is needed.

I arrived at Doi Mae Salong in the late afternoon and checked into the hotel that I had booked. I’ll be staying at Phumektawan Resort, which is located about 3 kilometers away from the town center. Despite not being in the heart of the community, the hotel’s location on a hillside provides a peaceful atmosphere and stunning panoramic views.

After settling in at the hotel and freshening up, it was time to find some dinner. Those who come to Doi Mae Salong should not miss the chance to try the famous Yunnan-style noodles at a well-known shop in the middle of the village, not far from the 7-Eleven. The highlight of these noodles is that they are homemade and the recipe comes directly from the authentic Yunnan province in China. They are delicious without any need for additional seasoning (for those who cannot handle spicy food, let the shop owner know beforehand as they are quite spicy). In addition to the noodles, there are also Local Gyoza available to satisfy your appetite. Both dishes cost only 40 THB (1.20 USD) each.

.

.

After finishing my meal, I was looking for a cup of coffee to cleanse my palate. Even though it was almost 5 p.m., I found out that there was a coffee shop called “Sweet Mae Salong Cafe” with a great view and delicious coffee. The best part is that the owners of the cafe are someone who has found happiness in life. Despite having a good job in Bangkok, they chose to leave the city life and open a cafe that brings them joy. Just hearing their story was already interesting, so I had to try their coffee. I ordered a Caramel Macchiato and enjoyed reading a book in the cool and peaceful atmosphere with a beautiful view. It was truly a satisfying experience.

.

After indulging in coffee and reading until the sun was about to set, I knew it was time to relax. Today had been a full day of exploring, starting with an early wake-up call to catch my flight. So I returned to the hotel to take a refreshing shower and recharge for tomorrow’s adventure in the valley. Each time I visit Chiang Rai, I feel content and happy because this province never fails to provide me with joy. No matter how many times I come here, I never get bored, and I always leave feeling fulfilled. Tonight…sweet dreams.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Written by : SHIPY SIWARIT TIASUWATTISETH

Http://www.facebook.com/shipyshipdotcom