A golden tower
By the White Temple's creator.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Index Librorum Permissorum — CC0 · Iudexvivorum — CC0 · Stefan Fussan — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexey Komarov — CC BY-SA 4.0
The symbol of central Chiang Rai: an ornate golden clock tower in the middle of the old town's main roundabout, designed in 2008 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, creator of the White Temple, in his signature style of fine interlaced ornament, to honour the late king. Every evening the tower becomes a small light-and-music show, usually at seven, eight and nine o'clock, when the lighting on the golden decoration shifts through colours for a few minutes as visitors gather around the roundabout. By day it gleams in the sun. Viewing is free and always possible. The tower is steps from the Night Bazaar and the Saturday walking street, with plenty of restaurants and cafes around it, including Muslim eateries nearby in the old town. It is a quick stop needing no more than a quarter of an hour, but the evening light show is worth timing, so start your night with it before wandering the bazaar.
By the White Temple's creator.
Shifting colours each evening hour.
Near the Night Bazaar.
Central roundabout of the old town, Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Night BazaarThe town's permanent night market, open every evening by the old bus station in 5 minutes walk
Wat Phra Kaew, Chiang RaiThe town's most historically important temple: it was here in 1434 that the Emer8 minutes walk
Wat Phra That Doi Chom ThongA temple on a small hill overlooking the Kok River at the north-west edge of the16 minutes walkUsually at 7, 8 and 9 pm for a few minutes, occasionally changing, so arrive a little early.