Travel
Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple near Chiang Rai is one hell of a temple. Its pure white color, with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in white plaster, makes Wat Rong Khun a very elegant, yet unconventional Buddhist temple.
The White Temple looks like snow glittering in the hot summer sun, and it is designed and built entirely at the expense of Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous contemporary Thai artist. However, the White Temple is best viewed in moonlight, when it looks like a ghostly otherworldly apparition.
The bridge leading to the Wat Rong Khun Temple is flanked by two tremendous man-like giants that stand there to frighten and intimidate the brave visitor who just managed to pass the sea of pleading hands rising up from Hell. The small semicircle before the bridge stands for the human world. The big circle with fangs represents the mouth of Rahu, one of the terror-inspiring gods and a legendary master of deception. The last part of the bridge crosses a pond with white fish, a symbol of the river that divides the mundane world from Heaven. At the end of the bridge there are several sculptures of meditating Buddhas sitting in a lotus, circled by spirits of the world.
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Travel
Wat Rong Khun, The White Temple from Thailand
Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple near Chiang Rai is one hell of a temple. Its pure white color, with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in white plaster, makes Wat Rong Khun a very elegant, yet unconventional Buddhist temple.
The White Temple looks like snow glittering in the hot summer sun, and it is designed and built entirely at the expense of Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous contemporary Thai artist. However, the White Temple is best viewed in moonlight, when it looks like a ghostly otherworldly apparition.
The construction of the White Temple began in 1997 and it is expected to last for many years to come. This reminds me of Sagrada Familia Cathedral from Barcelona, designed by the Spanish modernist architect Antonio Gaudi, the architect who Chalermchai so admires. The white color of the Wat Rong Khun temple stands for Lord Buddha’s purity and wisdom that "shines brightly all over the Earth and the Universe".
The bridge leading to the Wat Rong Khun Temple is flanked by two tremendous man-like giants that stand there to frighten and intimidate the brave visitor who just managed to pass the sea of pleading hands rising up from Hell. The small semicircle before the bridge stands for the human world. The big circle with fangs represents the mouth of Rahu, one of the terror-inspiring gods and a legendary master of deception. The last part of the bridge crosses a pond with white fish, a symbol of the river that divides the mundane world from Heaven. At the end of the bridge there are several sculptures of meditating Buddhas sitting in a lotus, circled by spirits of the world.
Inside the Wat Rong Khun Temple the walls are painted with larger than life, colorful characters related to Buddhism, in a very contemporary style. The artist uses icons from modern culture and through space ships, Superman, and even Neo from the Matrix movie he tells the story of Buddha in a very unique manner. It's like entering a comic book that kids but not only will love.
When completed, the construction project of Wat Rong Khun will consist of nine buildings: the ubosot (assembly hall), the hall containing Lord Buddha’s relics, the hall containing Buddha images, the preaching hall, the contemplation hall, the monk’s cell, the door façade of the Buddhavasa, the art gallery, and the golden restrooms, an intriguing choice that will definitely rise some eyebrows.
Wat Rong Khun is a magnificent place of worship that stands out from the country's traditional temples, one that can easily be considered one of the top places to visit in Thailand. The exotic White Temple is open to the public and there is no entry fee to visit, though you can purchase T-shirts and paintings from the gift shop to support the project. You can watch the many craftspeople at work or you can pay a visit to the cluster of little shops surrounding the temple that sell refreshments and postcards. It's your choice as you are free to wander the grounds at your own peace.
Wat Rong Khun Temple is an amazing place. The bus and the train options take longer (about 12 hours), but a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes only 1h and 15min.
Wat Rong Khun Temple is an amazing place. The bus and the train options take longer (about 12 hours), but a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai takes only 1h and 15min.
Tip: A friend of Chalermchai Kositpipat has also designed an area of buildings known as the Black House (just north of Chiang Rai). Though little-known, it is also worth seeing in contrast to Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple.
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons
Photos via Flickr Creative Commons
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If you are planning on visiting China then you will have absolutely loads to see, do and experience. From Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing, to cycling around the city walls of Xi’an, experiencing the bustling nightlife and impressive...
- Cambodia. The Land Of The Temples Lost In The Jungle
The tree ridden structures lost to the jungles of Cambodia are some of the most amazing structures on earth, therefore there is no wonder many adventure travelers but not only, flock into the wild jungles of the ancient East to explore exotic temples...
- Bangkok: How To Spend 48 Hours In The City Of Angels
With only 48 hours to spend in Bangkok, it can be hard to decide what you want to do and see to get the most out of your stay. Bangkok is a city bursting with activity where the old and the new co-exist in a unique harmony. Whether you decide to take...
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