One of the lesser known temples of Northern Thailand is Wat Si Sai Mun Chiang Rai, the turquoise temple.
Wat Si Sai Mun is open to visitors from 8am to 5pm and free to visit, although you can choose to offer a donation.
Wat Si Sai Mun is easy to get to from the centre of Chiang Rai by bicycle or tuk-tuk. Where I stayed at Connect Hostel, they offer free bikes to all guests and will also call to book a tuk-tuk for a good price.
The three-tiered wanna style temple has a stunning turquoise blue and gold facade.
The beautiful golden doors to the temple tell stories of the Buddha achieving enlightenment and riding on an elephant.
Although Wat Si Sai Mun is not the most famous of temples in Chiang Rai, it is definitely worth a visit if you are there for 5-7 days. If you are only in Chiang Rai for two or three days, prioritise the White temple and the Blue temple first, plus probably the Baandan Museum.
Wat Si Sai Mun has a beautiful gold chedi (stupa)
Combine Wat Si Sai Mun Chiang Rai with a visit to the Reclining Buddha
I chose to combine this visit with a visit to the Reclining Buddha of Chiang Rai on my last day in what ended up being my favourite town in Thailand.
If you are visiting Thailand, you might also like to read about the temples of Chiang Rai and Thailand’s first all female monastery. If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism, read about the four noble truths and eightfold path.
What to wear when Visiting Temples in Thailand
What should you wear when visiting temples in Thailand? Dress conservatively when visiting temples in Thailand. Wear trousers or a long skirt and cover shoulders.
A scarf is a good thing to have handy in Thailand as you can use it to cover yourself if you are wearing a vest top or maxi dress. Men should avoid shorts and wear t-shirts or a smart-casual shirt.
You will need to remove your shoes before going up the temple steps so wear some comfortable sandals or shoes that you can slip on and off. Birkenstocks are a good option.