The White Temple: Visiting the Famous Chiang Mai Temple
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Possibly the most Instagram-famous temple in all of Thailand, The White Temple, is a spectacular art piece easily accessible from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.
Chiang Mai White Temple Guide: (Jump To)
How To Get To The White Temple From Chiang Rai
The Buddhist temple is located about 12 miles (19 km) from Chiang Rai. The cheapest option is to take a public bus from the central bus station. At the station look for a bus with a White Temple sign on it. While uncomfortable, the bus is completely safe and will get you there in quick and cheap fashion.
GRAB is Thailand’s version of Uber/Lyft. If you download the app you can easily book a ride to and from the temple. This is a more efficient and comfortable way to get to the temple while still being affordable.
How To Get To The White Temple From Chiang Mai
The temple is about a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai. You can take a local bus, but it involves a transfer, and you would likely still need to hire a taxi to the temple from the station.
Believe it or not, it’s quite affordable to hire a driver for the day in Thailand. For about USD$50, you can book a car and driver for 10 hours. The driver will pick you up and take you anywhere you would like during the 10 hours. We have had much success with the booking site Klook throughout Asia.
You can also book a guided tour. We booked a full-day tour that included the temple, a visit to the Golden Triangle, a hot spring, a market on the border with Myanmar, and a visit to the Long Neck Karen village. (Similar to this). It’s the best way to pack a lot into the day for a reasonable price.
White Temple Opening Hours (When to Visit The White Temple)
It’s always best to check the hours for sure before your visit. The normal open hours are daily 8 am to 5 pm. To beat the crowds show up before 10 am.
The complex is large with many things to see so even at top times you will not feel crowded. There may be lines at the entrance for security.
White Temple Tickets and Admission Cost
It is free to visit the White Temple, however, there is often a small fee to visit smaller exhibitions within the temple complex.
How Much Time Do I Need To See The White Temple?
We visited the temple and much of the surrounding area in under an hour. The temple itself is very small. It’s a tiny building at the end of a bridge that you step into, and then out of quickly.
The bridge and ponds that surround the temple can be walked around, admired, and photographed.
Surrounding the temple are some free exhibits about the building of the temple and the temple’s creator and artist, Chalermchai Khositpipat. When we visited there was also a paid art exhibition.
There are also gift shops and restaurants directly outside of the temple gates.
I would plan anywhere from 1-3 hours for your visit.
Where is the Best Spot To Take a Photo at The White Temple?
Directly in front of the temple is a reflecting pond. It is by far the best spot for a postcard-worthy shot of the temple or a selfie for your Instagram. It is also common to take a photo on the horn-adorned all-white bridge (but if crowded it might be hard to stop on the bridge for more than a quick snap).
It’s worth noting that this is a holy place so keep in mind that kissing photos or photos showing off too much thigh or 6-pack abs is generally frowned upon.
What to Expect While Visiting The White Temple
The temple is a work in progress. Construction began in 1997 with a set completion date of 2050. The art in the temple was much more modern than any we saw elsewhere in Thailand. We were surprised to see pop art and modern character art on display in the adjacent museums.
The temple itself is completely white with some accents that shimmer in the sun. The photos do not do justice to the beauty of the temple.
Our visit to the White Temple is part of our Three Day Chiang Mai Itinerary.
