Rong Khun Temple: Must-Visit Attraction in Chiang Rai
Embark on a Journey Through Wat Rong Khun’s Art, Unveiling Mysteries with Every Step You Take
Discover the Marvel of Rong Khun Temple
Located just south of Chiang Rai, the Rong Khun Temple, or White Temple, is an architectural masterpiece designed by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The temple’s radiant white exterior, embellished with mirrored glass mosaics, symbolizes the purity and wisdom of Buddha.
Journey Through the White Temple
- Entrance Experience: Approaching the main chapel, visitors pass through an archway guarded by fearsome giants and encounter a sea of outstretched hands reaching up from the ground. These hands symbolize the suffering souls in hell, representing unrestrained desire and greed. This initial experience is meant to remind visitors of the importance of overcoming worldly temptations to attain spiritual purity.
- Heavenly Bridge: Crossing the bridge over a serene pond filled with white fish represents the journey from the earthly realm of suffering to the divine realm of enlightenment. The pond symbolizes the mythical Si Tarndon river, which separates the earthly world from the heavenly. As visitors cross the bridge, they symbolically leave behind the cycle of rebirth and move closer to Nirvana.
- Main Hall (Ubosot): The main hall, or Ubosot, is the heart of Wat Rong Khun. Inside, the walls are adorned with intricate murals that uniquely combine traditional Buddhist themes with modern elements. These vibrant paintings depict the struggle between good and evil, featuring images of superheroes, space travelers, and contemporary events alongside traditional Buddhist iconography. This blend of old and new is intended to communicate the timeless relevance of Buddha’s teachings.
Architectural Wonders
Wat Rong Khun is a unique temple that stands out with its white color and use of glass pieces in the plaster, which sparkle in the sun. The white signifies Buddha’s purity, while the glass symbolizes Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings. Construction began in 1997 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who envisioned it as a glittering porcelain structure. The dazzling effect is due to a combination of whitewash and clear-mirrored chips.
Art Galleries and Exhibits
Rong Khun Temple is not just a place of worship but also a hub for art. The complex includes galleries where you can view the works of Master Chalermchai himself. These art galleries display a range of his paintings and other artworks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in his unique blend of traditional Thai and contemporary art
New Buildings and Expansions
Within Wat Rong Khun, there are nine buildings with distinct architectural styles, symbolizing the grandeur of a heavenly city. These buildings are designed to captivate and inspire visitors from around the world, showcasing meticulous decoration and hidden moral meanings. The construction of these nine buildings is expected to take approximately 60-70 years. Notable features include:
- Ubosot (Chapel): The main hall, adorned with glittering glass mosaics and Naga serpents, represents Buddha’s purity and wisdom.
- Pagoda: Symbolizes Buddhist relics and teachings.
- Hermitage: A residence for monks.
- Crematorium: A place for ceremonial cremations.
- Monastery Hall: Used for monastic meetings and teachings.
- Preaching Hall: Where sermons and teachings are delivered.
- Museum: Showcasing Chalermchai’s art and religious artifacts.
- Pavilion: A resting place for visitors.
- Restroom Facilities: Modern and accessible amenities for visitors, including the renowned golden toilets which are among the most beautiful in the world, designed with intricate Thai art
Visitor Information
- Opening Hours: The temple is open daily from 6:30 AM to 6 PM. The gallery hours are from 8 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays and until 6 PM on weekends.
- Entrance Fee: The admission fee is 100 THB for foreigners.
- Accessibility: The site is wheelchair accessible.
Getting There
- From Chiang Rai: Local buses from the old bus station make it easy to reach the temple, which is about 13 km from the town center. The fare is 20 baht per person. Alternatively, a private taxi ride costs between 250 and 300 baht.
- From Chiang Mai: The Green Bus from Arcade Bus Station offers a comfortable journey to Chiang Rai. The VIP bus costs 288 baht for a one-way trip
Note : Wheelchair users is accessible
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Questions & Answers :
If you think you will see an ancient temple or old statue, you get wrong idea because this temple is not!
White Temple or Rong Khun Temple was established in 1997 by Professor of art Chalermchai Kositphiphat who is a designer create a unique contemporary painting of Thailand. He does not copy any Reign’s art and any art you’ve ever seen To honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulayadej and Buddhism by the spirit of the artist. He and his students built this temple without any return. He use his own money that he earn in his life and don’t get a budget from the government and the company’s money from the rich man. (But he permit people can donate not over 10,000 baht.) The art of the temple comes from the story that happened in his live.
“Money and possessions are insignificant. They are not mine but are only make-beliefs. Merits belong to me; therefore, money is of no value to me. Money is valuable only as a way to make merit for further journey of the soul”
~ Charlemchai Kositpipat ~
When you walk into a painting on the back side of Buddha, the meaning is a paradise which shows about the person who be free from evil and virtue person. And the opposite site (Entry gate), the meaning is you walk across from the evil’s mouth. There’s the Buddha above an evil which be free from the cycle of reborn. Then the other side of the wall, to remind you about the history of violence that occurred in your generation. The story of World Trade Center building was collapsed and there’s many lethal power weapons. In the left eye of the evil has a picture of Osama Bin Laden and George W. Bush in the right eye. The artist doesn’t want to say that who was wrong but it proposes that both of these had more power and a war was happened that resulted was a large number of people died. And it was presented that although there’re many heroes but they cannot help it. Because in the world has not a hero in fact. And humans have a passion and desires but there are people who can get be free from a devil which you can see from the painting of a persons who sitting in a lotus that releasing from the eyes, nose and mouth of an evil and soaring to the Buddha. It means, if you need this world is possible to be in peace, you should get the teaching of your religion (Not only Buddhism, every religions have good teaching) to use in your life.
Before the temple was established, originally this village was poor. So, the professor Chalermchai Kositphiphat who is the member of this village (His birth place) has created a community store to expect there’s not poor people in his village! The payment was collected from the villagers which sharing together to jointly sell the local souvenirs and foods. The professor also designed and built all shops for free. He / Temple does not expect any profit, he just need to requite his community and his villagers as well.
Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better known to foreigners as the White Temple, is a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. It is owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, constructed, and opened it to visitors in 1997.
The standard procedure is in place; make sure you cover your shoulders and cover your legs below the knees. This means no vests/singlets and no shorts/short skirts. In addition to this, shoes must be removed and you are provided with a plastic bag to put them in.
Rong Khun Temple Map
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