Chiang Rai - Talkingthailand

Cycling Around Chiang Rai

When I was in Chiang Rai, I hired a bicycle and explored the gorgeous countryside. What surprised me was the lack of people, there was hardly anyone around, even the people who lived there seemed to be missing. So, I had no problems cycling on the roads, I wouldn’t have dared in Bangkok!

First stop was Wat Huay Pla Kang and an enormous statue on the hill, which is so large, I could see the top of its head from my accommodation, some 2 kilometres away. Locally known as the Big Buddha, it’s not a Buddha at all. This impressive hillside statue is a depiction of the Goddess of Mercy from Chinese Buddhism – Guan Yin also known as Kuan Eim (กวนอิม) or Prah Mae Kuan Eim in Thailand.

As you approach the temple complex, the huge statue looms over the countryside.

There are several buildings there and this 9-tier pagoda is guarded by a couple of golden lions at the base of the staircase leading up to the entrance.

The day I visited it was delightfully empty of tourists, so I happily scampered around the grounds taking photos of all the temples. This white temple is reminiscent of the more famous Wat Rong Khun, also in Chiang Rai.

It’s the statue of Guan Yin that takes your breath away. It’s colossal, standing at 90 metres high with 23 storeys. If you want, you can take the lift up inside the statue where you get spectacular views of the countryside.

I didn’t, I just walked up the stairs, flanked by white dragons,

and strolled around the base of the statue.

The views of this green and mountainous region of Chiang Rai, even from the top of staircase, are just as impressive.

You can also get a good view of the other temples from up on the hill.

Smaller Buddha statues surround Guan Yin.

It’s free to visit Wat Huay Pla Kang. However, if you want to go inside the statue of Guan Yin there is a small fee of 40 Baht (Just over 1 GBP) – a small price to pay to experience this fabulous attraction.

Next stop was Wat Rong Suea Ten or the Blue Temple, a gorgeous, blue building with ornately carved gold decoration.

It is quite simply, stunning! I have never seen anything like it in Thailand before.

Part of the temple was under construction, but you can still see how beautiful it is.

There are many statues around the complex too – all a fabulous shade of blue.

The gold decoration is lovely!

There are other interesting elements to the temple. The tiger refers to a time when tigers could be found in the area. The name of the temple – Suea Ten – means “dancing tiger.”

I actually preferred it to the White Temple, if only for the lack of tourists!

I only wish I’d have gone inside because it’s arguably more beautiful than the outside – if that is at all possible. There’s always next time!

Onward on my trusty steed, I cycled away from the Blue Temple towards my next destination of the day. Bypassing glorious countryside on the way.

I was heading to Wat Tham Phra (Buddha Images Cave). Along the way, I spotted a small golden chedi and a gateway with lions standing on stone plinths on either side.

I cycled a little further and saw a huge Buddha carved into the rock and steps leading up to a cave. This wasn’t the one I was heading towards, according to the map I was still two clicks away. I turned around and went to investigate.

I parked my bike and tentatively walked up the steps taking care not to slip on the moss. At the top was a door leading into the cave. This was Wat Tham Tu Pu.

My heart was thudding. I half expected to see some poor soul, who had made their home there, or a snake in the shadows, none to happy that I had disturbed it. I saw neither, but I still felt a litle spooked. In the darkness, I was met with a pair of eyes staring back at me – it was a Buddha statue – but that only became apparent as my eyes got used to the darkness.

It was really eerie in the cave, so I didn’t hang around very long. I was happy to be outside in the light again!

Still feeling a bit unnerved, I cycled away as quickly as I could! Before long, I arrived at the last port of call – Wat Tham Phra (Buddha Images Cave).

A larger cave and not as scary with a number of Buddhist statues and altars inside.

The people there were preparing for some kind of celebration, so I had a quick look inside and then left to go back to the homestay. More gorgeous views along the way.

I arrived back at the homestay after cycling some 10 kilometres around Chiang Rai. I spent the evening with a cold beer or two and relished in the quiet surround sound!

A Trip to Wat Rong Khun

In Chiang Rai, I took a trip to the White Temple. I wasn’t sure how to get there because I was in the middle of nowhere and I hadn’t seen any people, let alone taxis. But, I needn’t have worried because the lovely Son, the owner of the homestay, called her driver to take me there.

I imagined the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) to be located in a forest setting, far from any towns or cities, so I was surprised to find it was a long way from any forest. After driving for around 20 or 30 minutes, we came to a crossroads with rows of shops on either side and on the opposite side – the White Temple. Not exactly, how I imagined it. Still, it was one of the most beautiful temples I’d ever seen.

Wat Rong Khun was built by Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997 as an offering to Buddha. He says, “Only death can stop my dream, but cannot stop my project. I believe the work will give me immortal life.” The construction work continues and it should be completed by 2070 – a lifetime’s work!

It’s very unique with a white exterior which represents spirituality rather than being focused on material things.

Every inch of the temple is covered in fragments of mirrored glass which make it dazzle in the sunlight.

The main temple is reached by crossing the bridge of “the cycle of rebirth”.

On either side, there are reaching arms of those who were tempted by desires in life. The idea is that if you can cross the bridge (go through life) and forego these desires, you will achieve happiness.

At the other side of the bridge, you will come to the “Gate of Heaven” guarded by statues of Death and Rahu.

In front of the main temple, there are more interesting statues as well as other intricate architectural features.

You’re not allowed to take photos inside the temple, but the decor changes. Instead of images from Buddhist mythology, you are now faced with demons and images from the current era. Characters from famous films and modern-day idols like Michael Jackson. It’s all very strange and not something you see every day in a Thai temple.

In the temple grounds, there are other buildings.

All of the buildings in the complex are white apart from this golden one which houses the rest rooms. The gold colour symbolises the body.

There are other interesting things that may catch your eye.

It’s also a place for people to make merit and remember lost souls.

To make a wish.

To enjoy the nature.

Or to take a break in the shade.

If you are ever in Chiang Rai, go and experience the White Temple for yourselves. It really is a beauty!

I had a couple of more things on my itinerary. I took a taxi to town and had lunch right next to Chiang Rai’s clock tower – constructed by Chalermchai Kositpipat again!

My final destination was Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong.

As this temple is at the highest point of the city, you’ll get lovely views from up there.

I got back to the homestay and had an another relaxing evening, my only company were the insects who had come out for the night. After my day exploring, it was soothing to listen to their sounds in the dark night. It made such a wonderful change, my usual night time sounds were the beeping horns on the busy Bangkok roads.

First Day in Chiang Rai

In June 2018, I spent a wonderful 4 days in the north of Thailand, I went to Chiang Rai.

I’d wanted to go to Chiang Rai for ages, not only to visit the White Temple, but also to see Phu Chi Fah (the Sea of Mist.) I later realised that I was going at the wrong time of year to see the mist, the best time is around February. So, apart from the White Temple, there wasn’t much else I planned to do. For this reason, I wondered whether it would be best to stay in the town or somewhere in the countryside. In the end, I chose to stay at Ban Lom Jen Homestay which is about 12 kilometres outside of the city.

It was the best decision I could have made. I found myself in such beautiful surroundings.

With not a soul in sight.

When I arrived, the owner, Son, greeted me and showed me to my room. She told me that this was the first day of the season and I was the only guest. Could this day get any better?

I dumped my bags and took a short walk to explore my surroundings.

The Kok River was nearby, so I walked along the path taking in the beauty of the place. It was so peaceful.

To add to the serenity, this huge, white Buddha statue was a lovely sight.

The lovely colours of the countryside – all different shades of greens and browns.

This was my first time in Chiang Rai and I was amazed at how beautiful it was – and I hadn’t gone any further than across the road from my accommodation. I couldn’t wait to see more. I returned to my room and ate satay chicken and drank a couple of bottles of Singha beer. After dinner, I sat outside and wrote for a while before picking up my book. It was so peaceful sitting there as day turned to night. All I could hear was the sounds of the insects. It was a really good start to my trip.

I was so taken aback at just how stunning Chiang Rai was, it inspired me to write a couple of posts about what I saw.

Get Inspired About What You See

Poetry in Motion

Get Inspired About What You See

I had this title written down for ages, but it wasn’t until I went to Chiang Rai in June that I finally got round to thinking about it and it wasn’t hard to find something that inspired me.

The countryside in the north of Thailand is just beautiful and, living in Bangkok, I sometimes forget just how beautiful it really is.

Things to do in Thailand — Beautiful Chiang Rai

I was just awe struck at the nature around me in Chiang Rai. The greens and browns of the open fields…

…mountains…

…rice paddies…

…trees proudly sporting their sweet and fleshy bananas and mangoes…

Flowers- purple, yellow, white, red, all manner of gorgeous bright colours in every shape and form you could imagine.

The blue skies with white fluffy clouds, clear and bright sunny days followed by the grey of a threatening storm before the clouds burst and the earth drowned under a barrage of rain.

Birds-swooping and diving looking for their next meal or chattering to one another in the branch of a nearby tree.

It was the beginning of the season and the land around me was brown and dying because of the lack of rain, but the changing face of nature will soon transform the environment into brilliant green and lush landscapes once more.

Green is my favourite colour and you can see it all around. Chlorophyll, responsible for all manner of greens; brilliant, emerald, forest, moss and jungle-all green, all different hues and values, in varying amounts, different forms, different shapes and sizes and all combine to form something that should be appreciated.

It wasn’t only the colours of nature that inspired me, the sounds of nature both inspired and impressed me. I sat outside my room in the evening and became aware of insects playing their nightly song, all in sync. Midges buzzing, singing cicadas, croaking frogs and, then, silence! A second later, their chorus of pulsating buzzes was back again. I was distracted by the local cat calling in the distance, but I chuckled to myself because it added to the free music festival I was enjoying.

Then, fireflies attracting mates or prey with their cool trick of bioluminescence. I sat and listened and watched. It’s not often I experience these sounds, but it was an immense pleasure to just stop what I was doing and listen along. It really was amazing.

Nature is nothing less than wonderful, just the sheer diversity of it is mind-blowing. I was well and truly blown away. If you ever get the chance to visit the north of Thailand, I recommend Chiang Rai wholeheartedly! 🙂

If you would like to share some of things that inspire you, I’d love to hear from you 🙂