We know you’ve seen those dreamy photos on instagram of the White Temple. There is so much detail and beauty in Thailand, but the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand took the cake for us!
We didn’t do much research when it came to all the sites we were going to visit in Thailand. If we saw a beautiful place on Pinterest or Instagram we saved it and put it on our list – done deal! What we should have done was look at some tips from others to get the most out of our time there. So, now we are sharing our top tips for visiting the White Temple in Chiang Rai that we wish we would have known!
Take a look at these tips to get the most out of your experience at the White Temple aka Wat Rong Khun.
1. Visit the White Temple in the late afternoon
EVERY blogger, photographer, influencer recommends getting up in the weeeee hours of the morning to capture photos without any other people in them so that they can have creative freedom without interruptions – but that is NOT the case with Wat Rong Khun. The absolute best time to visit is in the late afternoon around 4pm until close. This will also allow you to have the best lighting possible as the sun sets behind the White Temple. We know first hand going in the morning right when it opens (8am) you will be bombarded with tons of people and tour groups. We arrived about half an hour before it opened and there was NO chance of getting that epic shot of the two of us walking up across the bridge. This is the most crucial tip! Your timing could make or break your time there.
2. Bring some refreshments
We always bring water bottles and snacks in our backpack every where we go. There is nothing like being in a time crunch and being distracted by hunger. I definitely don’t play well with others when I’m hangry. In Thailand it is really hot and dodging crowds is enough of a challenge without adding hunger to the mix.
These are our favorite water bottles. They are collapsable, silicone so they pack super well and are always handy! You can see all of our travel gear here.
3. Explore the entire site
The main reason people visit the White Temple is for well, the White Temple, duh! But there is so much more there! Be sure to take a good walk around the grounds. You may stumble upon a stunning gold temple, or giant bell, small waterfalls, and GOLD bathroom. We were so surprised that every corner we turned there was so much to see. There is so much beauty and art packed in to every single corner.
4. Make sure you have time
We weren’t aware how long we spent at Wat Rong Khun. With so much to see we lost track of time. We didn’t realize we stayed there for almost 2 hours. Now, granted we were taking photos at every turn, but I’m sure you will want to as well! Make sure you have enough time to really enjoy your visit and soak up the stunning art.
5. Bring extra cash
The entrance fee to the White Temple is 100 baht per person for foreigners. You can see the grounds for free, but trust us it is worth it to walk across the bridge and explore the quirky and eccentric inside. Don’t be surprised if you find your favorite superhero or a minion or two hidden in the art work the walls of the temple. In addition to the entrance free we also purchased a lucky silver leaf which was 30 baht. You write your hopes, aspirations on it and they hang it throughout the grounds! It is so neat knowing a little piece of us will always be there.
6. Dress Appropriately
I can’t stress this enough: You are a GUEST. Please respect the wishes and beliefs of other cultures. This is (like most temples) one of the places where you need to cover your shoulders and knees. Ladies, I know it is hot, and you bought these super cute strapless dresses and bright summer rompers to show off in your vacation photos, but please be respectful and abide by the dress code. I am shocked when I see so many people (and LOTS of influencers) on social media blatantly disrespecting the wishes of this culture just to get an instagram worthy shot. Don’t be those people. Traveling is about experiencing and learning about other people’s culture. Immerse yourself.
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