The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is the essential sight in the Chiang Rai area — 10km south of the city and best visited early to beat the tour buses. The city itself has the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), equally striking in blue and gold but far less visited, and Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha now in Bangkok was discovered in the 15th century. Trekking to hill tribe villages and river trips on the Kok River are popular activities from Chiang Rai.