Chiang Rai Temples, Hot Springs & Lalitta Cafe Day Trip Chiang Mai

Mae Kachan Hot Spring

The first stop, after about two hours over the mountains on Route 118, is Mae Kachan hot spring in Chiang Rai province. Here naturally heated water bubbles out of the ground and runs through stone channels beside the road, sending up clouds of steam on cool mornings. The water is hot enough to cook eggs, and local vendors sell small baskets of quail and chicken eggs that visitors lower into the spring and eat a few minutes later.

The stop lasts around 20 minutes and is a sightseeing and stretch-your-legs break, not a swim. It is also the place to buy local snacks, fruit and coffee from the stalls around the car park. If you are planning a Chiang Rai day trip from Chiang Mai, this is a welcome pause that breaks the long drive into two easy halves.

The White Temple: Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun, known to every traveller as the White Temple, is a contemporary Buddhist temple begun in 1997 by an artist from Chiang Rai, who has turned it into a lifelong work. The whole building is white and studded with small mirrors, so it sparkles in the sun. Before entering you cross a narrow bridge above a mass of sculpted hands reaching up, a symbol of the cycle of desire, and pass through the gate of heaven to the ordination hall.

Inside, the murals mix classic Buddhist themes with modern images, and photos are not allowed in the hall. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour with your guide. Visitors often ask about White Temple opening hours: it opens every day from morning to late afternoon, and arriving before the midday crowds, as this tour does, means better photos of the white facade reflected in the pond.

The Blue Temple: Wat Rong Suea Ten

A few minutes from the town centre, Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, glows in sapphire blue and gold. Its name means House of the Dancing Tiger, recalling the wild tigers that once jumped across the river here. The old temple on this site lay abandoned for many years, and the present hall, designed by a local artist, was completed in 2016.

Climb the steps between twisting naga serpents and step inside to see a serene pure-white seated Buddha, framed by blue ceilings and murals of the life of the Buddha. The visit lasts around 25 to 30 minutes, enough for the hall, the outdoor statues and plenty of photos. Remember to cover shoulders and knees and to remove your shoes at the door.

The Red Temple: Wat Huay Pla Kang

On a hill north of Chiang Rai stands Wat Huay Pla Kang, the third of the Chiang Rai temples on this tour. Its nine-tiered Chinese-style pagoda is richly carved with dragons and decorated inside in red and gold, while a towering white statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, looks out across the valley and is visible from far away.

You have about 30 to 40 minutes to walk around the pagoda and the statue. A lift inside the Guanyin statue rises to a viewing level with panoramic views over the hills and rice fields; this lift has a small fee paid on site and is the only entrance not covered by the tour. The quiet hillside setting makes this temple a calm contrast to the busier White Temple.

The Long Neck Karen Village

The tour includes entry to a Long Neck Karen village, where you meet Kayan families who came to northern Thailand from Myanmar. Kayan women traditionally wear brass coils around their necks from a young age; the weight pushes the collarbones and shoulders down, creating the famous long-neck appearance. Many villages also include families from other hill peoples, each with their own costume and crafts.

The visit lasts about 25 to 30 minutes. You walk along the village path past wooden houses and stalls where women weave scarves on backstrap looms and sell handicrafts. Ask before taking close-up photos, and buying directly from the weavers is the best way to support the community. Your guide explains the history and traditions so the visit is respectful and informative.

Lalitta Café

The final stop is Lalitta Café, a garden café in Chiang Rai designed like a fairytale forest, with waterfalls, mossy stone bridges, small castle towers and winding paths under tall trees. It has become one of the most popular photo spots in northern Thailand, and many visitors consider it as memorable as the temples.

On this option you have around 30 minutes here, and the café entrance is included; drinks and snacks inside are at your own cost. It is a relaxing finale before the drive back to Chiang Mai, about three hours over the mountains, with drop-off at your hotel at around 20:00 to 21:00. Bring a light layer, as the evening air in the hills can feel cool in winter.