Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand: Welcome to the White Temple
It was a late September afternoon, and Bri and I found ourselves crowded into a white rusted van bumping along the back-roads of the Northern Thai country side. We were leaving Chiang Mai where we experienced some intriguing adventures and a healthy dose of Muay Thai Boxing.
Our plan was to take the slow boat to Laos down the Mekong River from Chiang Khong all the way to Luang Prabang. Before that journey began, though, we stopped in the capital city of Chiang Rai Province.
We chose this route to Laos because we would be able to visit a particular temple in Chiang Rai. A traveller we met in Vietnam a few weeks earlier had told us about a place called the White Temple - one of the most breathtaking and interesting temples in Chiang Rai.
The official name of this temple is Wat Rong Khun, but it's commonly known as the White Temple to many travellers and foreigners.
I felt some hesitation about going at first. After spending a year in South Korea and touring shrines in Japan, I certainly had my fill of temples. It's possible that I saw a thousand temples or more in the time I’ve spent in Asia. It's not to say that I was "bored" of temples by any means, but more that I had seen so many that I had a hankering for something unique.
The White Temple is certainly one of a kind. Everything in this place catches your attention. I was taken aback immediately, and likely would be again if I had the chance to revisit this temple in the future.
I hope you find this post helpful as you plan your visit to the White Temple in Chiang Rai.
Welcome to the White Temple of Chiang Rai
Although, we arrived to a light rain, the stark whiteness of the temple marvelously contrasted the stormy skies above.
Many don’t know that this temple is an art installation still in progress. The well-known Thai visual artist Chalermchai Kostitpipat has been working on it since 1997, and he expects to continue his work on it for decades to come - on his own dime. He has personally funded the entire project himself.
The White Temple of Chiang Rai is a modern Buddhist shrine made of all white stucco, and trimmed and decorated with bits of mirror and glass. Purposefully designed by Kostitpipat to shimmer in the moonlight, though most guests get to see it sparkle in the sunlight during opening hours.
The elements of Wat Rong Khun represent Buddha’s purity and the Buddhist cycle of birth and death juxtaposed against modern pop culture and surrealist art. It’s a real think piece for art lovers.
As you cross the bridge towards the temple, hands reach out towards you from what can be assumed is the depths of Hell. Demons and other mythical creatures guard the bridge along the rails, which is adorned with silver dragon scales.
Symbolic heads hang from trees nearby, adding to the surrealism of the place. Characters from international pop culture, like the Predator, Neo from the Matrix, and Superman, can be seen in statues and murals throughout the temple. The list of astonishing detail goes on, which I would share but visitors are only allowed to photograph the outside of the temple.
As an English major and travel writer, this temple full of symbolism and metaphors was the perfect place for me to get philosophical. All good surrealism should do that, it seems.
Perhaps the most prominent symbol or metaphor for me was the notion of crossing a difficult path to find meaning and, to some extent, enlightenment. The initial bridge presents itself as something any reasonable person should turn around and run from, but only in crossing in it can you discover the temple's true meaning and beauty. So, too, in life.
Plan your visit to the White Temple
Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm M-F, 8am - 5:30pm S-S
Entry Fee: 50 baht
How to Get to the White Temple
The White temple is about 13km from the Chiang Rai center. Travel there by public bus from the Chiang Rai bus station (Old Bus Station) for about 20 baht. Or take a taxi, tuk tuk, songthaew from the Old Bus Station ( or Uber from other places in town) for a bit of a higher price.
For complete freedom, drive there yourself if you’re brave enough, cars or motorbikes are available to rent in Chiang Rai.
How to Get to the White Temple from Chiang Mai
If you want to visit the White Temple from Chiang Mai on a day trip, catch a Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai bus for pretty cheap. You’ll arrive at the Old Bus Station, then follow the directions above.
Another option is to leave the planning to others and opt to take a tour or hire a driver. Many tour buses with tourists from nearby cities visit the White Temple on a daily basis.
Appropriate Attire to Visit Temples
We suggest dressing modestly at the White Temple, as with any temple in Thailand. Make sure shoulders and knees are covered before you enter.
Most temples in Thailand will provide (free or for a small fee) sarongs/shawls for men and women to wrap around their waist or shoulders if they arrive unprepared.