WAT RONG KHUN - White Temple

The most mesmerizing temple in the world. Welcome to Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Entrance fee is 50 Baht.

The White Temple is a Buddhist temple. It was designed and funded by a local artist named Chalermchai Kositpitpat. I must say his art is contemporary and out of this world. He has quite an imagination which he put to color and design.

See the both sides of the entrance?  Left and right areas represent human suffering and hell. It is situated right before the grand entrance to the temple. On both sides, you will see hundreds of reaching hands that symbolizes desire. 

The bridge named Cycle of Rebirth. It leads directly to the main temple, which is named Ubosot. You are not allowed to turn back. Once you cross this bridge, you are supposed to walk through the temple and exit at the end.  You are welcome to walk through as many times as you like though.

After crossing the bridge, you are welcome to The Gate of Heaven. Guarded by Death and Rahu, 2 huge creatures who decide men's fate.

 Ubosot or ordination hall

Once you reach the main building, you must take off your shoes and carry your shoes until the exit. No photographs are allowed in the temple. I added some photos from the inside of the temple which I found in Google. You MUST see what are the designs like. Speaking about it and you seeing it for yourselves is a different thing altogether. 

The photos from Google (inside the temple):

 (Picture from Google)

It took me the longest time to convince myself that that monk is a statue. He looked SO REAL. I thought he was alive and meditating. But, he was not breathing! My friend convinced me that he is just a statue. Goodness, he really felt real to me. I stood there trying to see if any part of him moved!!! 

 (Picture from Google)

The is the mural at the main entrance. Let's look closer!

 (Picture from Google)

See Spidey?

 (Picture from Google)

See Pokemon? Minion? Doraemon?

 (Picture from Google)

 (Picture from Google)

See Elvis? Superman? Ultraman?

 (Picture from Google)

See Bumblebee? Matrix?

 (Picture from Google)

Kruger is in the house!

 (Picture from Google)

Not forgetting MJ too!

This artist is really out of this world. He added all these characters onto the wall of a Buddhist temple. 

The exit

Walking back to the entrance of the temple. We wanted to go another round. Could not get enough of the designs and architecture.

Medallions hanging from the ceiling and from trees too. You may hang one with your name for 30 Baht.

 My most favorite shot!

In the 3-acre piece of land, other than the fascinating White Temple, there is also an art gallery by Kositpipat. There is a small park at the back of the temple with a waterfall, more statues and a crematorium. People are still working on the temple grounds. It would be awesome to visit it again after a few years.

Fountain with intricate statues all over it. 

The famous Golden Toilet in the grounds of the White Temple. Absolutely stunning. 

 Just outside White Temple territory. Some interesting statues to photograph with.

  

The art gallery by Kositpipat. Entrance is free but no photographs allowed. Interesting to see how his mind works.

Right opposite the temple are rows of shops. As it was raining by the time we were done visiting the White Temple, time for food and some shopping!

Fresh coconut juice

Roast pork rice

Pineapple fried rice

Mango sticky rice

 

Felt like I was at a snow castle. I was most intrigued with this place. From hell to the white designs to the skulls to the golden toilet to ninja turtles, this place is a must-see attraction. I am still in disbelief about the monk I saw inside the Ubosot; I still think he is alive. Embalmed, maybe. Hehe! This White Temple certainly made Chiang Rai a magical place.