Blue Temple near Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Suea Ten, located about 2 km north of Chiang Rai, is easily reached by motorbike along the main road, from which you turn onto Maekok Rd. In the side street in front of the temple, it is possible to park the motorbike free of charge. Alternatively, tuk tuk, songthaews (red taxi) or regular taxi will take you to this location.

The Blue Temple is so marked due to its unique sapphire blue decoration. Wat Rong Suea Ten can also be translated as „Dancing Tiger House“ according to the legend of tigers who once passed through the area. The temple is not „active“, meaning that Buddhist monks do not live here permanently.

The temple resp. its main building is in the shape of a „viharn“ (large entrance hall), similar to, for example, at Wat Chedi Luang in Chinag Mai. The entrance to the temple is guarded by two Naga snake heads. The gable of the temple is richly decorated in a traditional rope style.

The interior of the temple is perhaps even more beautiful than its exterior. In the hall of the temple there are two rows of columns, which are decorated with intricate motifs. On the walls are paintings in gold frames, which depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. The ceilings are again inlaid with sapphire blue, which is complemented by gold motifs. In the back is a large white statue of the Buddha, which is usually illuminated in blue.

Before entering the temple, please follow the basic dress code, which applies to all temples in Thailand … Don't forget your shoes – you must always go down! :)