Wat Rong Khun White Temple, Chiang Rai | Thailand

Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple, is one of over 33,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand.

Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat began building Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai in 1997. The incredibly detailed, all-white exterior represents Buddha's purity.

Mirrored trimming symbolizes self-reflection. The bridge to the entrance crosses over a sea of arms reaching out for help from the fiery depths of hell.

Skulls, demon heads, and pop-cultural figures from the underworld and Hellraiser

Inside the temple, the decor swiftly moves from pristine white to fiery and bewildering. Murals depict swirling orange flames and demon faces...

The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings.

The Wat Rong Khun was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist. To date the temple is not finished. Eventually there will be nine buildings including an ubosot, a hall to enshrine Buddhist relics, a meditation hall, the monks living quarters and an art gallery.

The Golden Building

A structure that stands out because of its color is the rest rooms building. Another very ornately decorated structure, this golden building represents the body, whereas the white ubosot represents the mind. The gold symbolizes how people focus on worldly desires and money.

The golden building represents the idea to make merit and to focus on the mind, instead of material things and possession.

THE most luxury Toilet in Thailand was at here Wat Rong Khun White Temple

On May 5 of this year, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Mae Lao, located 17 miles southwest of Chiang Rai. Wat Rong Khun sustained significant damage, and a devastatd Kositpipat initially declared that the temple would have to be demolished. Subsequent evaluations, however, have found that the cracked pillars, damaged murals, and broken spire can be repaired.

The restoration process is expected to take about two years. Travelers can still visit the temple, but may not be allowed inside depending on the work being undertaken at the time.

How to get to the Wat Rong Khun
The Wat Rong Khun is located just off Highway 1 (Phahonyothin road) about 15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai town. The most comfortable way to get there is by private air conditioned taxi. The ride from town takes about 20 minutes, the fare is between 250 and 300 Baht. Most Chiang Rai hotels will be able to book one.

It is fairly easy to get to the white temple using public transport. Busses leave from the old bus station near the night bazaar in the center of Chiang Rai town. The trip takes around 30 minutes, fare is 20 Baht one way. Alternatively, charter a blue songthaew at the old bus station at about 300 Baht.

Entrance fee & opening hours
The white temple is much visited by both foreign tourists and Thai people, the latter mainly on weekends and Thai National Holidays. The grounds can get busy. The temple opens daily from 8 am until 6 pm. Admission is free, donations for the construction of the temple are welcome.

Please dress respectfully, which means no revealing clothes. Taking photos is not allowed in the main building. A gallery on the grounds sells art works of the temple’s designer, Chalermchai Kositpipat. The gallery closes at 5.30 pm. Souvenirs, coffee and snacks are available on the grounds.