The naga entrance
Front steps of the viharn
Large serpent (naga) sculptures in blue and gold guard the stairs, with guardian figures at the gate.
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Chiang Rai, Thailand
Wat Rong Suea Ten — Blue Temple
A striking temple in deep sapphire blue and gold, with a large white Buddha inside and naga sculptures at the entrance.
Favourite places
The blue viharn
Main hall
A hall painted deep blue with gold detailing, bright inside and out.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The white Buddha
Inside the viharn
A large seated white Buddha image glowing against the blue walls — the photograph everyone comes for.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Interior murals
Walls and ceiling of the viharn
Murals of Buddhist scenes painted in blues, golds and swirling patterns in a modern northern Thai style.
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Local food
Khao soi
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The signature noodle soup of northern Thailand: egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, usually with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
Khanom jeen nam ngiao
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Fresh rice noodles in a tangy tomato and pork broth flavoured with dried red cotton-tree flowers — a Lanna favourite for breakfast or lunch.
Coconut ice cream
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Coconut ice cream served in the shell or a cup, often sold by vendors outside temples — welcome on a hot day.
Where to eat
Stalls outside the temple
Rong Suea Ten
A few vendors and small shops by the entrance sell drinks, ice cream and snacks.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Phaholyothin Road, near the bus terminal
Every evening a big food court of stalls sits in front of a stage with live music — hot pot (jim jum), grilled fish, noodles and northern dishes.
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Where to stay
Chiang Rai town centre
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Around the clock tower and the Night Bazaar: guesthouses and hotels within walking distance of restaurants, the walking streets and the bus terminal.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Kok River riverside
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Resorts and quieter hotels along the Kok River on the north side of town — greener and calmer, a short drive from the centre.
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Culture
"Rong Suea Ten" means "house of the dancing tiger" — the name of the area, from a story of tigers once seen leaping across the river here. Cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off before entering a hall, and never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk. Walk around a chedi clockwise, keeping it on your right. Women should not touch monks or hand things to them directly.
History
The Blue Temple was built on the ruins of an old temple in the "dancing tiger" neighbourhood and opened in 2016. It was designed by Putha Kabkaew, a former student of the White Temple's artist, and is a showcase of modern northern Thai art.
Tour plans
Chiang Rai temple morning
Half dayStep 1: Blue Temple
Start early at Wat Rong Suea Ten.
Step 2: Wat Phra Kaew
Return to the centre to see where the Emerald Buddha was found.
Step 3: Clock tower
Walk to the golden clock tower.
Step 4: Khao soi lunch
Eat in one of the noodle shops in the centre.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to February is most comfortable; morning light shows the blue best, and the temple is calmer than the White Temple then.
How to get there
About 3 km north of the clock tower — 10 minutes by Grab or tuk-tuk.
Getting around
Chiang Rai's centre is small and easy to walk. For the temples outside town use Grab, a tuk-tuk or a hired car with driver; local buses from the old bus terminal (by the Night Bazaar) run north towards Mae Sai and south towards the White Temple. The Blue Temple is only a short Grab or tuk-tuk ride from the clock tower.
Travel tips
Cover shoulders and knees and take your shoes off before entering the halls. Sarongs are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance. Quieter than the White Temple; morning light is best on the blue.
