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The Blue Temple Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Suea Ten
Updated: Jun 16
Welcome to the famous Blue Temple of Chiang Rai, Thailand! This blog post will give you an overview of this incredible temple and the experience of visiting this remarkable place. The Blue Temple, also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten, features a unique blue and gold exterior and its intricate details are sure to make your visit a memorable one!
The temple is a stunning sight to behold, with its bright blue color and intricate details. Inside the temple, you will find a beautiful interior, complete with a large white Buddha statue and several pieces of gold-framed artwork. The temple is not as busy as its sister White Temple, and the atmosphere is tranquil and peaceful. Overall, the Blue Temple of Wat Rong Suea Ten is an amazing sight that should not be missed when visiting Chiang Rai.
Read on for our highlights, a bit of history, and how you can find the Blue Temple, and our experience rating.
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Book the best sights in Chiang Rai with Klook
● Convenient transportation from Chiang Mai: Pick up from your hotel and travel to Chiang Rai with the iconic 3 colors temple series
● Wat Rong Khun (aka White temple): World class iconic Thai art temple designed by Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat
● Baan Dam Museum: A house for National Artist Dr. Thawan Duchanee that use the opposite tone of color design all the things
● Wat Rong Seur Ten (aka Blue temple): A design with all blue concept combination with Thai art and Big white buddha in the center of temple
Our Blue Temple highlights
Chiang Rai had always been on our radar and after living in Doi Saket for nearly two months, we decided to make the road trip to this city (and region of the same name) in the mountains. It was about a three hour drive which went really smoothly, even with the hundreds of winding turns we faced as we climbed and weaved through the many mountains along the way. Overall the roads were in great condition and the drive was really nice. We would definitely recommend a road trip out this way!
Parking is available at no cost directly outside the temple entrance. There is a parade of small stores opposite, including Bike Coffee that we stopped off at on the way out (tap the name for more, it is a great spot). The temple grounds are fairly open and unlike many we have visited, it is relatively small and easy to walk around.
The sense of wonder is immediately palpable the moment you head in and are greeted by these stunning half-men, half-serpent figures, acting almost like guards as they share their space with the effigies of tigers that are imbedded in the history of this location.
In the Chinese Zodiac, we are both tiger signs and Jenn absolutely loves big and small cats. She even has a tiger tattoo! We were already fascinated by the connection here and it was present right from the get go. Everything felt so extravagant and ornate and we were so intrigued by it all. We certainly found ourselves eager to know more about just why the Blue Temple is so different to the others in Thailand.
Blue is a very unusual choice for a temple in Thailand. Most are usually gold, white and red. The choice is significant as it is typically associated with purity and wisdom. Its use here accentuates the fusion of traditional Thai architecture and contemporary design, leaving a lasting impression on all those who enter. With its striking appearance the colors and vibrancy here are really unforgettable!
There are many beings and characters surrounding the temple, in calming poses, protecting the temple and its visitors from evil. The Yaksha's stand tall, keeping the temple safe, while many serpent beings stand guard around the perimeter. The stairs to the temple are protected in traditional form by two Naga, or Phaya Nak, as elegant as they are fearsome and powerful. A Naga is said to have the ability to shape-shift and there are four Naga families, represent by gold, green, black and rainbow colors. At the Blue Temple, in this color they are completely unique.
There are also several statues of Garuda, a divine Hindu demigod described as the 'king of the birds'. Garuda is a protector who can fly anywhere in the universe, and is the enemy of every serpent. He is also known as Tarkshya and Vainateya, and for centuries has been used as a symbol of state insignia in Thailand, in particular the Thai coat of arms and the national emblem. He is seen as a 'vehicle' of the god Narayana (Vishnu), and as Thai kings believe they are an incarnation of god, the Garuda also symbolises the divine power and authority of the king.
The doorframe to the main temple is a depiction of hell, with the doorway itself representing the mouth of a demon. What is so interesting about this is that when we were there, Jenn felt a little 'off', and did not go inside the main temple. We did not know about the significance of the entrance prior, and with Jenn being so spiritual, it was really interesting to learn about this after as it may explain her resistance to going inside on the day. Leon did however, and it was pretty magnificent!
Once inside the Blue Temple, there is an overload of incredible patterns which almost dance and move as you look at them! It reminded us of a kaleidoscope in the way literally everything was covered by something! The paintings were particularly interesting as they depicted Buddha's story in a more modern style, adding even more to the litany of unique components of the Blue Temple.
The embellished columns and ceilings are powerful on their own, but the main focus will always be that of the centerpiece Buddha statue, made from a white porcelain that was doing its best to reflect white light amongst the blue hue that envelops the room. He sits with one hand pointed to the ground, a pose which shows the moment he achieved enlightenment.
Read more: Baan Dam Black House Museum Chiang Rai
Often confused as a temple, the Black House is home to the largest collection of taxidermy & animal remains made into furniture in the world!
History and facts about the Blue Temple
Another ancient temple once stood on the site of the Blue Temple, and tigers are said to have roamed freely over the grounds when it was abandoned nearly a century ago. According to local accounts, the location of the temple building in particular was previously a large ditch where the tigers would jump around and play, hence the name 'temple of the dancing tiger'. The name Rong Suea Ten literally translates to 'dancing tiger ditch'.
The local village, also named Rong Suea Ten, decided to rebuild the temple in 1996 as there was nowhere to make merit or honor Buddhist occasions. They wanted to avoid having to travel outside the area, and work began on the project in 2005. Construction was officially completed on January 22nd 2016, 11 years later, but The Blue Temple is still considered a work in progress with more statues and smaller structures being added to the grounds.
The main temple was designed by a local Chiang Rai artist named Putha Kabkaew, also known as Salah Nok. He was the apprentice of the famous Chalermchai Kositpipat, the architect of the Wat Rong Khun White Temple. He worked on that particular project with him and was considered Chalermchai’s protégé.
Read on for more information on how to get there, temple visiting times and our Blue Temple rating.
The Blue Temple Chiang Rai visiting times
The Blue Temple is open everyday from 7am to 8pm. There is no entry fee and you are easily able to park on site. While it is gaining popularity with tourists, it is still quieter than the nearby White Temple and Black House Museum, making 2023 the perfect year to visit!
There is a dress code to be aware of here, as there is at all temples in Thailand, although if you are not prepared there are plenty of vendors selling wraps, sarongs and cover-ups on site. Men must wear shirts or T-shirts with sleeves covering the shoulders (no tank tops). Shorts can be worn but must cover the knees. The same applies to women, including no leggings or sweatpants. Torn clothing such as ripped jeans, any clothing with a low waist or open belly, and see-through clothing are also prohibited.
How to get to the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
From Chiang Rai, the Blue Temple is located on the banks of the Kok River, east of the city municipality, but not very far from the city centre. Driving here is fairly straightforward and there is plenty of parking available on site, Alternatively taxis and songthaews are available for around 100 baht.
If you are coming by car from Chiang Mai like we did, you can expect the car journey to take around 3 hours. Buses / coaches are also available, running every four hours from Chiang Mai's main bus terminal. They have a four hour journey time and range from 150 - 250 baht.
Address: 306, Moo 2, Mae Kok Rd., Tambon Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai, 57100
Full of intricate beauty and powerful energy, Wat Phra That is home to an incredible Golden Buddha that is a must-see if you are in the area.
Our Blue Temple experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
As far as standing out from the crowd, the bold blue and gold design of this temple certainly catches the eye. The attention to detail and the vibrancy of it all really is wonderful to see.
The overall experience was great and we would recommend visiting the Blue Temple for sure. In comparison to the nearby White Temple, there is far less to do here on site, although there is no entry fee which is a nice touch.
Perhaps it was our visit to the White Temple prior to this one which left us with an ever-so-slight feeling of being underwhelmed. Honestly, the White Temple is that good! As we said though, there is literally no reason not to add the Blue Temple to your itinerary if you are visiting Chiang Rai.
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