Buddhist temple
Wat Rong Khun
Chalermchai Kositpipat's White Temple outside Chiang Rai sets a mirror-studded white ordination hall behind a bridge of reaching hands, with murals inside that read Buddhist teaching through pop-culture figures.
The story
Designed and built by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, Wat Rong Khun lies about 12 kilometres from Chiang Rai on the road towards Phayao. Its tiered ordination hall is white to symbolise the Buddha's purity and inlaid with small silver mirrors for his wisdom. The bridge at the entrance passes hundreds of outstretched hands representing human desire and suffering. Inside, murals trace a journey from earth to heaven and the struggle between good and evil, with modern detailing and pop icons, superheroes among them, worked into the walls. Skulls recur across the complex. Beyond the main hall, the grounds hold an exhibition hall of the artist's paintings, a history hall, the Art Cave, a shaded walkway and a set of golden toilets.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦A respectful dress code applies, and shoes come off at the entrance, where shoe bags are provided.
- ✦Photography is not allowed in the hall with the Buddha statue and murals, and attendants enforce this.