Why Thailand’s Black House Is the Most Bizarre Yet Beautiful Attraction You'll See

Black House, also called Baan Dam Museum, is a moderately creepy architectural complex comprised of more than 40 ornately decorated buildings and structures just north of Chiang Rai. Marvel at the intricate details of each building filled with crocodile taxidermy, animal skulls, and a sense of looming darkness in the artwork and literal black exterior.

Ready to explore? This post will give you all the information needed to plan and enjoy your visit to Black House in Chiang Rai. We’ll cover directions on how to get there, entrance fees, the best times to visit, things to do, and any final tips!

Don’t get FOMO!

More like an art gallery, Black House is one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai, but not exactly in the city center. If you’re looking for easy transport and a tour with all the region’s highlights, book this Chiang Rai Highlights Sightseeing tour.

I’ve visited all the attractions on this tour and did so much inefficient route planning, I wish I had taken a tour to save myself the back-and-forth driving time.

#1 Top Pick

black structure within the baan dam museum complex

Best of Chiang Rai Day Tour

⭐ Rated: 4.5 out of 5 (160+ Reviews)

See all the most Beautiful Temples in Chiang Rai
Visit the Long Neck Karen Tribe Village
Learn about Opium at the Golden Triangle

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Overview of Black House, Chiang Rai

Contrary to popular belief, this is not a black temple but an art museum with elements of traditional temple architecture. The Black House was created by artist Thawan Duchanee, a pupil of the famous White Temple designer Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Spanning 160,000 square meters, Baan Dam Museum houses more than 40 distinct structures, from temples to traditional Thai salas (covered seating areas), to large-scale sculptures.

Step into the mysterious depths of Baan Dam and be met with demonic gatherings around long, wooden tables. Animal lovers be warned; everywhere you look, skulls, animal skins, buffalo horns, and taxidermy loom – making this one of Thailand’s most bone-chilling venues.

This is Thawan Duchanee’s striking vision of hell; the gloomy decor coupled with dead animals encasing each room renders it strikingly opposite to Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), which symbolizes heaven. The grounds are said to reflect Samsara – an account on life, death, and rebirth – resulting in a truly eerie experience for visitors!

Where Is It Located?

Black House is located 11 kilometers north from the center of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, making it roughly a 20 minute drive from the Night Bazaar.

Chiang Rai is a popular day tour destination for visitors from Chiang Mai, but note this attraction is nearly 3.5 hours (200 km) away. I have met multiple travelers who wished they’d stayed longer than just one day in Chiang Rai due to how long the drive was.

Click here to go to the exact Google Maps location.

How to Get There

Being 20 minutes north of central Chiang Rai, the easiest way to get there is by Grab or tuk-tuk. The cheapest way to get there is to take a Green Public Bus going to Maesai from the Old Bus Station that leaves every 15-30 minutes or hailing a Songthaew that is heading north.

If you plan on combining the Baan Dam Museum with other attractions around Chiang Rai, renting a scooter is the easiest way to get around to multiple destinations. Scooters can be rented for about 250 baht daily from many rental services around Chiang Rai or your accommodation.

Got Travel Insurance?

Purchasing travel insurance is essential if you’re combining traveling to Asia and scootering. I use Safety Wings for my own coverage; it’s affordable at only $42 per month until canceled.

Play it safe and protect yourself financially so you can enjoy every moment of your trip worry-free – because trust me, everyone will still judge your bandages!

Find out more information about Safety Wings here.

Tours to The Black House

If you’re on a tight schedule and want to make the most of your visit in Chiang Rai, opt for a guided tour. Booking a Chiang Rai Sightseeing Tour will provide an expedient way to experience all its noteworthy attractions in the province, including the Baan Dam Museum!

Don’t miss out! This tour also includes other top things to do in Chiang Rai, all in one day:

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seur Ten)
Black House (Baan Dam Museum)
Hill Ethnic Tribe (Karen Long Neck Tribe)
Tea Plantation
Burmese Border Gate (Mae Sai)
Golden Triangle (where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand Meet)
House of Opium (Learn about opium)

As well as have a knowledgeable guide who can answer any questions and a comfortable vehicle.

nomadicated in front of temple of Baan Dam Museum — **Check Dates & Prices for this Chiang Rai Highlights tour**

I recommend this Chiang Rai Sightseeing tour in particular; it has an impressive 4.5 out of 5-star rating and more than 120+ glowing reviews! Have a look at what one reviewer said:

The perfect tour to see everything in Chiang Rai in one day! Vam was an amazing guide, and Sam was the perfect driver. We never felt rushed, Vam told us all the interesting facts of each place, and everything was organized perfectly. Vam even told us about a flower festival and offered to drop us off there at the end! What an incredible day. I would 100% recommend this tour.
– Jordan_H, Jan 2023 (See more Reviews on Viator)

▷Book: Black House & Chiang Rai Tour

Related Post: Psst…If you’re starting from Chiang Mai, I actually have a whole article on tours to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai

Black House General Information

interior of main hall of baan dam museum chiang rai

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Baan Dam Museum is 80 baht per person to enter.

Opening Hours

The Black House is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit

At 9:30 am, I was one of the first to arrive at Baan Dam Museum, and by 11 am tour busses started rolling in. Unlike its popular siblings, White Temple or Blue Temple, Baan Dam Museum is an entire complex, so it doesn’t get as packed with visitors. If you’re trying to avoid crowds, coming late afternoon before they close is also a good time to visit.

The only con to arriving earlier in the morning is that the many trees in the area cast shade which may dull some of those coveted black hues.

Dress code

Since this is more of an art museum and not an actual religious site, Black House has no dress code.

What to Expect: Things to Do & Tips

I spend about an hour walking around the complex and taking pictures. After getting a ticket, visitors enter the colossal main building hall, which houses paintings depicting fierce animals with intense hues of red. Banquet tables display crocodile skin rows accompanied by nude figurines standing at attention – creating quite a visual spectacle!

As you leave the main hall, mist-filled pathways create an artificial air of mystique and lead you around to explore the rest of the space. You will come across numerous smaller temples, some available for entry while others are locked off from public access.

Other strange architecture pieces contain elements from Lanna design, unique modern minimalism, tribal yurt-like structures, and giant installations – many adorned by taxidermy pieces or animal bones as decoration!

minimalist structure in the black house chiang mai

Where to Stay in Chiang Rai

From budget-friendly backpacker hostels to luxurious five-star resorts, Chiang Rai has many accommodation choices for every type of traveler.

Below we have chosen the best places to stay depending on your budget.

LUXURY WITH A WATERPARK – The Riverie by Katathani

Enjoy a luxurious experience blending classic and modern features when booking a stay at The Riverie. Admire unique room decorations inspired by Lanna culture and upgraded amenities from hotels in its class. Wake up to an exquisite breakfast before taking a refreshing walk along the river walk or take advantage of their amazing facilities, such as a mini waterpark and fitness center equipped with cutting-edge equipment.

the riverie hotel chiang rai aerial view — Check Rates for **The Riverie by Katathani** (Photo: Agoda)

MID-RANGE PET DECOR PRIVATE ROOMS – Sleepy House Chiang Rai

Booking a stay at Sleepy House Chiang Rai means enjoying a delicious breakfast to start your day, after resting easy in modern, well-maintained rooms with adorable pet cats and charming decor. Their friendly staff will help you book tours and tickets and offer helpful tips to make the most of your stay. Located near the center of town, this hotel offers unbeatable value for its price.

sleepy house hotel chiang rai bedroom — Check Rates for **Sleepy House Chiang Rai** (Photo: Agoda)

MOST POPULAR BACKPACKER HOSTEL – Stay In Hostel

Located near the Sunday market, book Stay In Hostel, a well-known backpackers hostel that makes for an ideal home base for your explorations in Chiang Rai. Uncover all of the area’s remarkable attractions through their experienced staff. Enjoy a comfortable night’s rest on stylish bunk beds, private rooms, or female-only dorms, each fitted with individualized lighting and outlets.

stay inn hostel front door in chiang rai — Check Rates for **Stay In Hostel** (Photo: Agoda)

Bucket List Worthy: Is the Black House Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you have some extra time. I had a great time visiting Black House, but I’d suggest making other Chiang Rai attractions your priority, especially if you are coming on a day trip.

Being north of the city, consider combining nearby sights such as Karen Long Neck Hill Tribe, Wat Huay Pla Kang (home to the giant buddha), and Lallitta Cafe – a viral Tiktok cafe that literally has a whole man-made waterfall inside.

Where Next in North Thailand?

I’ve been to Thailand 10+ times in my life and now spend my winters there. That’s a lot of my life biking, hitchhiking, and bussing around this beautiful country. Check out these other posts to see if any of these destinations pique your interest.

Have Travel Questions About Thailand? Maybe I’ve Answered Them

TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find the best tours and activities with Viator to cross off your bucket list and create unforgettable memories

🏘️ Book your accommodation with Booking.com in advance and check availability on the days of your travels.

🧾 Rent a car in advance with Discovercars for those epic road trips at the best price.

Cat Xu

Founder & Author at Nomadicated LLC | Website | + posts

Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.