Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai is also know as The White Temple, was created by artist, Chalemchai Kosipipat, is a contemporary unconventional, privately owned art exhibit in style of Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai province.
Wat Rong Khun the compound will have nine buildings, including
the existing ubosot, a hall of
relics, a meditation hall, an art gallery, and living quarters for monks.
The bridge of "the cycle of rebirth": the main building at the white temple, the ubosot,
is reached by crossing a bridge over a small lake. In front of the bridge are hundreds
of outreaching hands that symbolize unrestrained desire. The bridge proclaims
that the way to happiness is by foregoing temptation, greed, and desire. Next
to the lake stand two very elegant Kinnaree,
half-human, half-bird creatures from Buddhist mythology.
Gate of Heaven: After
crossing the bridge, the visitor arrives at the "gate of heaven",
guarded by two creatures representing Death and Rahu, who decides the fate
of the dead. In front of the ubosot are several meditative Buddha images.
Ubosot: The
principal building, the ubosot is an all-white building with fragments of
mirrored glass embedded in the building's exterior. The ubosot embodies design
elements from classic Thai architecture
The golden building: A structure that stands out because of its color is the rest rooms
building. Another very ornately decorated structure, this golden building
represents the body, whereas the white ubosot represents the mind. The gold
symbolizes how people focus on worldly desires and money. The white building
Location : about 13km South of city center (Chiang Rai town)
Mon-Sun 08.00-17.00
