On January 6th, I flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. My flight from Don Mueang Airport was at 12:10 pm, and I landed an hour later โ easy peasy ๐
But first, some lunch at the airport before take off ๐๐ฝ๏ธ
Here, pad kra paw with tofu and mushrooms, with a lovely pea flower โ sangupoo โ lemonade, and some yummy waffles with mango, with a delicious hot chocolate. Yummy.
And I have to admit โ pea flower lemonade has become my favourite drink from this moment ๐
I had booked a room at the Art Mai Gallery Hotel and was excited to spend the next few days in Chiang Mai.
I had discovered an Indian restaurant on Instagram, Chai N Thai. So after checking in, I wandered through Chiang Maiโs lovely streets to get there. Here, I had a paper roast thosai and a warm filter coffee with jaggery, just like I wouldโve had in South India ๐
After a late lunch, I took a walk around Chiang Mai, grabbed a few souvenirs for myself and my family, and treated myself to a foot massage. Oh my god, it was just what I needed!
For dinner, I decided to stay at the hotel. I had some delicious snacks with seaweed, followed by a spicy Massaman curry with rice and a refreshing berry cocktail. Life is good ๐
I was planning to stay in Chiang Mai for the next four days, with a few things lined up, including the longest zipline in Asia, which Iโd saved for another day. But first, I wanted to take on a day trip.
Breakfast at the hotel ๐
Tuesday was dedicated to visiting Chiang Raiโs temples: the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Blue Temple (Rong Suea Ten), and the Baan Dam Museum. I found a guided tour on Get Your Guide that covered all three spots, along with the Mae Khachan Hot Springs and the Karen Village, where the Long-Neck Karen people โ also known as the Paduang tribe from Myanmar, live.ย
We first started the trip with a stop at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs. These springs are well-known for their hot, mineral-rich water, and the natural steam rising from the earth. You can even buy eggs from the locals and boil them in the hot springs, but I didnโt bother with that. Whatโs the deal with the boiled eggs? ๐
I found Rudrakhsa maalais here, btw! Something I have wanted to buy for years, and finally found some! โบ๏ธ
Then we went to the Karen-village, with the Paduang-tribe. Visiting this tribe seems like a simple way to support them, right? Well, I wasnโt too thrilled with the way these women were being put on display. It felt uncomfortable to me โ almost as though they were a public spectacle. These women fled Myanmar due to political unrest, but in Thailand, theyโre not treated particularly well, especially when theyโre on display like that. It was a strange experience, and I didnโt feel good about it. Still, I gave a little money to some of the women, though it left me with mixed emotions.. ๐
Anyway, we moved on to Chiang Rai for lunch. We stopped at a place across from the White Temple. Iโm pretty sure the guide has a deal with them, but that didnโt justify the terrible food. I had a sad little bowl of noodles and survived on the Milo and chips Iโd brought myself. Thank God I thought ahead! ๐
After that, we had time to explore the White Temple on our own. Honestly, thank goodness, because I wasnโt in the mood for a guideโs lecture ๐
The White Temple is absolutely stunning! I was completely blown away by its beauty. The gate itself looks like itโs leading straight into heaven ๐ฑ๐ ๐
It was designed by master Chalermchai Kositpipat, a renowned Thai artist. He began the construction of the temple in 1997, and it remains a work in progress.ย
The entire temple is an intricate blend of traditional Thai architecture, Lanna art, and modern art, with sculptures that combine religious symbols and pop culture references. Itโs a surreal and breathtaking experience.
At the White Temple, visitors cross a bridge over a small lake to reach the main building, the ubosot. In front of the bridge, hundreds of hands symbolize unrestrained desire, warning that happiness comes from letting go of temptation and greed. Upon crossing, visitors pass through the โgate of heaven,โ guarded by creatures representing Death and Rahu, who decides the fate of the deceased. The ubosot features several meditative Buddha images.
The golden building at Wat Rong Khun, stands out for its vibrant color. This ornate structure, symbolizing the body, contrasts with the white ubosot, which represents the mind. The gold signifies worldly desires and wealth, while the white ubosot emphasizes the importance of merit-making and focusing on the mind over material possessions. This temple is also dedicated to Ganesha, a Hindu god worshiped by Buddhists as well.
The ubosot, the templeโs main building, is entirely white with fragments of mirrored glass embedded in its exterior. It combines classic Thai architectural elements, like the three-tiered roof and Nฤga serpents. Inside, the decor shifts dramatically from pristine white to intense and chaotic, with murals featuring swirling orange flames, demon faces, and Western pop culture figures like Michael Jackson, Neo from The Matrix, Freddy Krueger, and the T-800 Terminator. The imagery of nuclear war, terrorist attacks, and oil pumps highlights humanityโs destructive impact on Earth. Although the inclusion of characters like Harry Potter, Superman, and Hello Kitty adds confusion, the overall message is clear:
humanity is flawed ๐
Stepping back outside into the peaceful stone courtyard, I discovered the templeโs elegant silver โbodhiโ prayer trees. A common feature at many Buddhist temples, visitors at the White Temple can buy a leaf (a silver plate here) to write a personal message or wish. I did the same, hung it on the tree at my star signโs spot, and now, fingers crossed for the best! ๐
Next, we made our way to the Blue Temple, which is also beautiful but in a totally different way.ย
The Blue Temple was originally initiated by the local community in 1996, as a replacement of an old, abandoned temple, but the construction did not start until 2005. The final design of the temple was made by Phuttha Kabkaew, an influential Thai artist, and a student of master Chalermchai Kositpipat. The temple opened in 2015, so itโs quite new.ย
While the White Temple is a stark, white masterpiece, the Blue Temple is filled with striking shades of blue and gold. The walls are adorned with murals that tell the story of Buddhaโs life, and the design is all about peace and tranquility. It was a more peaceful vibe compared to the White Temple, and I even got to test out the Bullet Time feature on my Insta360 camera ๐
Then, we headed to the final stop of the day: the Baan Dam Museum, designed by the world famous Thawan Duchanee. This place is fascinating and definitely worth a visit. The museum is a unique collection of buildings, with dark, almost eerie designs inspired by the animal kingdom, and since 1975, Baan Dam Museum has been constantly created for more than 40 years. The interiors are full of animal bones and taxidermy, while the art is strange and beautiful. The place is a bit sprawling, and after a long day, I didnโt have the energy to explore it all. Itโs a shame because there was so much to take in ๐ฉ
Finally, after the tour, we had an excruciatingly long four-hour drive back. Honestly, it was one of the craziest rides Iโve ever had. I was tired and starving โ thanks to the sad lunch โ so I couldnโt wait to get back to Chiang Mai and eat something decent ๐
I ended up having dinner at the hotel again because I just didnโt have the energy to walk around the city, and no regrets there. I had the most amazing Pad Thai. OMG, it was so good! ๐
I also managed to get taken some pretty decent pictures of myself, here they are! ๐
