The Bests in the World: The White Temple of Chiang Rai Thailand
Welcome to The Bests in the World, where we feature the most unreal places that you might not know of yet. Today, let’s unfold the unique beauty of Wat Rong Khun Temple located in Thailand, "The Land of Smiles".
A mix of modern contemporary and classic architecture. The White Temple in Thailand or Wat Rong Khun is nestled outside the City of Chiang Rai. The temple has become so famous in Thailand among all others because of its atypical and grotesque style that attracts thousands of tourists and is definitely worth adding to your bucket list. It has a very striking impact thanks to its flawless white color which signifies purity in Buddhism.
Chalermchai Kositpipat, the creator of this masterpiece, is known to be one of the greatest artists in Thailand and is admired by people for his bravery in designing such a bizarre and unique form. In addition, Chalermchai also took a leap of faith in creating the White Temple as he invested his own money to build the temple for his dear country. He was eager to create a temple that showcases Lord Buddha’s purity together with the sparkling glass detail of the structure, which signifies Buddha’s teachings concealed throughout the universe. Chalermchai is a painter, and virtual artist that was recognized all over the world for his Buddhist imagery.
White Temple of Chiang Rai Thailand – What You Need to Know?
The Cycle of Rebirth Bridge – A Fight Against Human Desires
Aside from its magnificent facade and intricate carvings, the White Temple of Chiang Rai conveys a much deeper meaning of its fascinating journey of spiritual revival and transformation. Be ready to surpass your imagination and discover Wat Rong Khung’s extraordinary representation of faith. The temple complex comprises 9 buildings and each has different artistic concepts. Before reaching the main temple (the Ubosost) of Wat Rong Khung’s temple, one must cross the Cycle of Rebirth bridge with the rising human hands appearing from the ground surrounding the bridge. This circular bridge signifies human yearning and excessive desire – lust, greed, and material desires. You must succeed in passing through hell first and overpower all human transgressions before going to heaven. The process of death and rebirth.
The Gate of Heaven
At the end of the bridge, you will see two large creatures, Death and Rahu protecting the Gate of Heaven. Those creatures decide the life or death fate of human beings. Also, there are various Buddha images in front of the Gate of Heaven.
Ubosot – The Main Temple
Crossing the afterlife means arriving at Ubosot, the main building in Wat Rong Khun temple. When the construction began in 1997, Chalermchai volunteered to pay all the expenses for building the main temple dedicated to his service to Buddha. The hall contains relics, Buddha images, lecture halls, meditation halls, and ornaments of colorful murals depicting mythological creatures. The spectacular architecture, made up of thousands of white glasses, signifies the unconditional kindness of Buddha. But believe it or not, you’ll unexpectedly find here murals of Michael Jackson, heroes such as Spiderman, Batman, etc. And even the World Trade Center bombing and nuclear warfare aim to show the evil side of human desires.
Traveling to the White Temple
From Bangkok, you can ride a plane going to Chang Rai airport with approximately a 1 hour and a half flight. But if you’re on a budget trip, you can alternatively ride a bus going to Chang Rai. Only if you’re up to traveling for 13 hours. The bus fare would roughly cost $30. If you want a more convenient trip, you can book guided group tours. It is a whole-day tour not only for the White Temple but also visiting other nearby attractions. How about the entrance fee? For Thai nationals, entering the White Temple is free. For foreigners, an entrance ticket costs $1.5 only. It is suggested to visit during the weekdays to avoid huge crowds.
Opening Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) / 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat-Sun)
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