The White Temple: Visiting Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand

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The White Temple in Chiang Rai is unlike any other temple in Thailand, let alone the world. It is one of the new wonders of the world. Firstly, it’s a privately owned temple, funded by private money and donations. It is the life work of the prominent Thai artist Ajarn Chalermchai and has been a huge tourist attraction since it opened in 1997. For example, it’s the only temple in the same mural where George Bush, Bin Laden, and the Minions will be found.

Table of Contents

• Visiting Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai aka The White Temple
• Ajarn Chalermchai
• The Entrance Fee
• Other Things to do in Chiang Rai
• Temple Construction
• What to Expect
• Wat Rung Khun Exterior
• The Interior of the Monastery
• Having a Little Fun
• Flying in and out of Bangkok
• White Temple Visitor Quiz
• Like it? Pin it!

Visiting Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai
aka The White Temple

Wat Rong Khun is also known as the White Temple by foreigners. It is made from white plaster and millions of tiny mirrors. The White Temple is located in Chiang Rai, the northernmost large city in Thailand, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar.

Ajarn Chalermchai

Ajarn Chalermchai is a popular Thai artist who has created millions of paintings and sculptures. He began construction 16 years ago and has devoted his life to making the temple a world-renowned tourist attraction. Once creating more than 100 pieces of art a year, he now completes less than ten a year, devoting most of his free time to the temple’s construction and maintenance. He can be seen doing this almost every single morning.

He made millions as an artist but decided not to live the lifestyle that usually accompanies that fame. His day begins at 2 am. He lives and works, meditates, and grades student projects in the same space. He claims “to be happy not going out to restaurants, going out for drinks or singing karaoke.” Ajarn Chalermchai opts for a very simple life of servitude because those activities have no value to him. But he does note in the literature I found at the temple that I’ve been there, done that, and that time is over.”

The Entrance Fee

Chalermchai has spent more than 40 Million Thai Baht (or USD 1.2 Million) of his own money on the endeavor. He does accept donations, but only if they are less than 10,000 Thai Baht because he refuses to be controlled by special interests. The temple is free of charge because he wants it to be a place to congregate and learn about Buddhism.

Other Things to do in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai serves as a wonderful jump-off point to explore the northern territories. But is probably most known for the Wat Rong Khun temple, also known as the white temple. And while you’re in town, check out the hilltop people who live there. You can also trek through mountains or visit one of the elephant sanctuaries.

Temple Construction

The White Temple is definitely white. I had to correct the settings on both my camera and cell phone to capture the detail of the temple because the lack of color was hard for both devices to understand and relay. I originally thought it was made of white marble, but it’s not.

The temple is made of white resin and has many tiny mirrors. According to the literature, it is white and not gold like many Thai temples because the artist thinks gold is ostentatious and represents lust and evil deeds, while white symbolizes purity. The mirrors symbolize wisdom, and you can’t help but capture glimpses of yourself in them, which I think is representative that wisdom is innate and must not be avoided.

What to Expect

You pass my two large trees as you come up to the entrance to the temple. On the left side, you’ll see a statue with a bottle of whiskey, on the left its a statue with a few packs of cigarettes. Ajarn Chalermchai is making a statement that bot drinking and smoking is unhealthy and ungodly. You really understand the symbolism as you pass the heads hanging from both trees.

Wat Rung Khun Exterior

After entering the temple grounds, you walk past a large reflecting pond that casts a luminous reflection of the temple’s exterior. Ajarn Chalermchai designed the entrance to represent hell. Thousands of hands reaching out in agony greet the visitor. Skulls, snakes, demons, and a huge pair of man-made tusks glittering in the sunlight line the passageway.

Once you pass the hands, you’ll be greeted with several ornate dragons and statues of what look like deities that form the railing to the bridge to Heavens Gate. They are beautiful in both detail and presence. The best way to describe the exterior of the main temple is wedding cake icicles or lace.

The Interior of the Monastery

Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures of the interior of the monastery, but there are a few murals worth seeing. One of the large murals depicts the coming of the Lord Buddha from Nirvana (Heaven). It is very calming and peaceful. The other mural depicts the struggle between good and evil. It depicts Buddha’s final “test” to overcome his own demons and it clearly makes a modern political statement.

The Eyes of Evil

The eyes have images of George W. Bush, the 43rd United States President, and Bin Laden, the man said to have orchestrated the World Trade Center Bombings. There is also an image of the burning towers. Mr. Chalermchai clearly equates the two figures as perpetrators of death and tragedy. They are both “destroying the world”, he notes in the temple literature.

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Having a Little Fun

In addition, you will see images of popular superheroes Ultraman and Superman to let the world know there is no one coming to save us. We must look into the eyes of our soul and do it ourselves. I am unsure why images of the minions, the Terminator, Hello Kitty, and Jack Spat adorn the temple walls. The temple is always in a state of maintenance and construction.

The artist wants Wat Rung Khun to have pilgrimages that return to Chiang Rai, not unlike those who return to Spain’s Sagrada Família or India’s Taj Mahal. And not unlike Antoni Gaudí and Shah Jahan, Ajarn Chalermchai does not expect to see his great work completed as it’s expected to take approximately 60 and 90 years to complete.

Flying in and out of Bangkok

Traveling between Bangkok’s two major airports, Don Muang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK), can be a hassle if you don’t know the best options. Luckily, there’s a convenient and cost-effective solution. A free shuttle service connects DMK and BKK, making your transfer seamless and stress-free. To learn more about taking advantage of this service, check out this detailed guide: How to Take the Free Shuttle– Bangkok Don Muang Airport (DMK) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). This resource provides step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth transit.

White Temple Visitor Quiz

1. What unique detail is painted inside the temple’s main hall (ubosot) that blends modern pop culture with traditional Buddhist art?

• a) Dragons
• b) Superheroes and movie characters
• c) Celestial angels
• d) Historical monks

2. What must visitors do before entering the White Temple?

• a) Take off their shoes
• b) Make a donation
• c) Write their name on a gold leaf
• d) Chant a prayer

3. What does the bridge leading to the temple symbolize?

• a) The path to enlightenment
• b) The struggle for wealth
• c) The connection between heaven and earth
• d) The journey to Nirvana

4. Name three pop culture icons or characters painted inside the White Temple.

5. What unique feature is found in the temple’s restrooms?

• a) Gold-plated exteriors
• b) A wishing fountain
• c) Statues of mythical creatures
• d) A mirrored ceiling

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Answers:

1. b) Superheroes and movie characters
   The temple walls feature modern icons like Superman, Spiderman, and more, reflecting the artist’s vision.
2. a) Take off their shoes
   Visitors must remove their shoes before entering to show respect.
3. a) The path to enlightenment
   The bridge represents crossing over from worldly temptations to spiritual enlightenment.
4. Examples include:
   • Superman
   • Spiderman
   • Pikachu
   • Hello Kitty
   • Darth Vader
5. a) Gold-plated exteriors
   The temple’s restrooms are unusually luxurious, with golden exteriors that contrast the white of the temple itself.

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