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Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

Chiang Rai's Blue Temple, sapphire and gold from floor to ceiling, 3 km north of town. Free to enter, open daily 07:00 to 20:00.

4.6(27,037)
Directions

Plan your visit

Hours
Daily 07:00–20:00

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Finding your way around Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.

Getting there and around

  • The temple is about 3 km north of central Chiang Rai, across the Kok River in Rim Kok, at 306 Moo 2 Maekok Road.
  • Visitors report ฿70–100 by Grab or Bolt from the center and around ฿30 by shared songthaew. Tuk-tuks ask much more.
  • The White Temple is about 13 km south of town and 20 minutes from here by car; Baan Dam is about 13 km north.

Details

Full opening hours
Monday07:00–20:00
Tuesday07:00–20:00
Wednesday07:00–20:00
Thursday07:00–20:00
Friday07:00–20:00
Saturday07:00–20:00
Sunday07:00–20:00

Why go, and how to do it well

Blue is the whole point here. Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, stands on the site of an abandoned temple in Rim Kok, about 3 km north of central Chiang Rai across the Kok River. Its main hall went up between 2005 and 2016, the work of the local artist Phuttha Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, who made the White Temple, and the family likeness shows. Walls, ceilings and pillars are a deep sapphire laid over with gold, a large white Buddha sits at the far end of the hall, and blue naga guardians line the steps. The name means House of the Dancing Tiger, after a local story of tigers leaping across the river here.

Entry is free, with a donation box inside. That surprises people, because the White Temple has charged foreign visitors ฿200 since 1 January 2026, but they're different temples by different artists, about 20 minutes apart by car. The Blue Temple is open daily from 07:00 to 20:00. Early morning or the last hour of the day gives you the softer light on the blue and fewer people than the middle of the day.

Visitors report that photography is allowed inside the hall, unlike at the White Temple, but people come here to pray, so keep it quiet and step around anyone kneeling. Cover shoulders and knees, men included, and take your shoes off at the steps. Sarongs are lent at the entrance if you've come in shorts. There are toilets, souvenir and food stalls, and a few cats asleep in the shade, and the blue coconut ice cream sold on site is a recurring favorite in reviews.

It's a short ride from town. Visitors report ฿70 to ฿100 by Grab or Bolt from the center and around ฿30 by shared songthaew, while tuk-tuks ask a lot more. Baan Dam is about 13 km north and the White Temple 13 km south, so from a Chiang Rai hotel the three temples fit into two easy half-days.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026

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Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple), nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Reviews from Google

The Blue Temple is hands-down one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The first thing you notice is the color, it’s this incredible, deep electric blue that you just don't see anywhere else. Most temples are gold or red, but this one looks like something out of a dream. It’s covered in these super detailed gold carvings that really pop against the blue, and the huge dragon statues at the front are honestly mind-blowing. They look so fierce and realistic, and they make for some of the best photos you’ll ever take. The best part is how calm it feels despite how bright and bold it is. When you walk inside, there’s a massive white Buddha statue that almost seems to glow because of the blue walls around it. Everything feels very modern and clean, and the artwork on the walls is just stunning. It’s not a massive site, so it’s easy to walk around without getting tired, but you’ll find yourself stopping every two seconds to look at a new detail. If you’re anywhere near Chiang Rai, you absolutely have to stop here, it’s a total vibe and easily a 10/10.

This is a beautiful Temple everyone should visit. Everywhere you look is the most striking blue art from the walls, floor, ceiling, inside and outside. Photography is allowed but be respectful of people praying. Entry is free but the museum is 50baht and is quite small. There are toilets, souvenir stores, food. Don't forget to try the blue icecream made from coconut and flowers. The icecream is 45baht. There are a few cats that the live in this Temple so you'll most likely see them sleeping around. My family visited on a Wednesday around 11am and there was only a few other people so not very busy. Extra note: The car park is free and can fit quite a few cars. This is not a very wheelchair accessible Temple everything requires stairs.

It is a beautiful and peaceful place with stunning blue architecture and detailed artwork. From a Muslim perspective, it’s an interesting cultural and artistic site to visit, especially to appreciate Thai craftsmanship and history. As with any temple, visitors should dress modestly and be respectful of the religious setting. While it’s not a place of worship for Muslims, it’s still a nice stop to learn about local culture and admire the design. A calm, visually impressive place worth visiting for its art and atmosphere.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 27,037 reviews on Google.

306 หมู่ที่ 2 Maekok Rd, Tambon Rim Kok, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Go Early Morning

Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.

Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai free?

Yes. Entry to Wat Rong Suea Ten is free, with a donation box inside. The ฿200 foreigner fee people read about belongs to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), which has charged it since 1 January 2026.

What are the Blue Temple's opening hours?

Daily from 07:00 to 20:00. Early morning and the last hour of the day have the softest light and the fewest people.

Who built the Blue Temple?

The local artist Phuttha Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the creator of the White Temple. The main hall was built between 2005 and 2016 on the site of an abandoned temple.

What should I wear to the Blue Temple?

Cover shoulders and knees, men included, and take your shoes off at the steps of the hall. Sarongs are lent at the entrance. Visitors report that photos are allowed inside, unlike at the White Temple, but people pray here, so keep it quiet.

How far is the Blue Temple from the White Temple?

About 20 minutes by car. The Blue Temple is 3 km north of the town center and the White Temple about 13 km south, so most people see both, plus Baan Dam, in a day from a Chiang Rai hotel.

Is Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) worth visiting?

Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) holds a 4.6★ rating from 27,037 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Rai.

When is the best time to visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)?

The best months to visit Chiang Rai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).

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