The white color is the contrary since it symbolizes the idea to make merit and the mind, instead of material possession. There are several ways to go here from Chiang Rai. Wat Rong Khun, better known as “the White Temple” is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. Click here to: The structures of the white temple and their symbolism. When Chalermchai first conceived the idea of building the wat, he laid out a great grand plan for its design and construction but, like Gaudi’s work, it will never be completed. Ubosot – The main white building has several traditional features from Thai architecture, such as the Naga serpents and the three-tiered roof. But this is not the case with the White Temple. The White Temple is a fairy tale of Thailand. It’s better to go there early on weekdays, to avoid the crowds. Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat rebuilt it … Wat Rong Khun is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chiang Rai and Northern Thailand. The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings. The original Wat Rong Khun, however, was in such a sorry state, that one of Thailand’s greatest artists – Chalermchai Kositpipat decided to purchase and renovate the holy building with his own funds. If you go to Wat Rong Khun during the weekend, you should expect crowds if you come after 8 AM. The temple outside the town of Chiang Rai attracts a large number of visitors, both Thai and foreign, making it one of Chiang Rai’s most visited attractions. This beautiful white temple sits outside of Chiang Rai and is one of the most famous temples in Thailand. The ride from town takes about 20 minutes, the fare is between 250 and 300 Baht. The Wat Rong Khun is located just off Highway 1 (Phahonyothin road) about 15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai town. Little information is known about Wat Rong Khun before it was put in the hands of Chalermchai Khositpipat, considered by many to be Thailand’s greatest modern artist. 0.22% of people who visit Chiang Rai include Wat Rong Khun White Temple in their plan. The old adage “You can’t judge a book by its cover” apparently also applies to a temple. The most comfortable way to get there is by private air conditioned taxi. The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma, the Buddhist teachings. Here, the white temple symbolizes the purity, and the glass is a symbol for Buddha’s wisdom and the Dhamma. Quite peculiar since the outside of the temple has such details. In a way, Wat Rong Khun is similar to Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcolona. Quick Facts . The artist built the temple to be a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings. The combination of both traditional Buddhist themes and modern influences, including murals of Superman, Mickey Mouse, Micheal Jackson, and Kung Fu Panda. But with its majestic, otherworldly exterior, Wat … As a reader of this blog, you can get $40 in discount on your first booking. Wat Rong Khun is a unique temple that stands out through the white color and the use of pieces of glass in the plaster, sparkling in the sun. As there was no budget, Chalermchai Kositpipat took it upon himself to take over the architecture. 14/02288DBD Department of Business Development registration no. 95% of people start their Wat Rong Khun White Temple visit around 10 AM. Also known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple built by King Narai in the 17th century. Named after the Hindu god Aruna, the temple’s central … I have visited this beautiful temple, and here you can read all about how to get there, more information and see photos. This area still keeps all… When exploring Buddhist temples, people are often amazed by the abundance of color found in the architecture and decoration of such places. For more information about meditation and a list of retreats and temples in Thailand that teach meditation, read meditation retreats in Thailand. The Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple located at the southern end of the city of Chiang Rai in northwestern Thailand. Please dress respectfully, which means no revealing clothes. About The White Temple The White Temple, known as Wat Rong Khun, is a privately owned Buddhist temple and art exhibit in Chiang Rai. Both tourists and especially locals come here during weekends, which makes it quite busy. It’s quite empty inside, except the famous murals on the walls. He took the aging, dilapidated ruins of a temple 10 kilometers south of Chiang Rai and turned it into what is today one of the city’s most popular attractions. Believe it or not, this is a real place – Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, is a Buddhist temple in Thailand that looks like it was placed on earth by a god. And that was it! Wat Rong Khun is popularised as the White Temple among foreigners and it is located in Northern Thailand... History Associated With Wat Rong Khun. Thai nationals can visit the White temple for free. The bus ticket is just 20 baht. The original version of the temple was in very poor condition, when a famous Thai visual artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, decided to buy the temple and turn it into a masterpiece of modern art. It is located in the Thai city of Chiang Rai. I hope some of this trivia about Thailand was interesting. Leave a comment below or send me an email! It turned out the temple is not really new. Souvenirs, coffee and snacks are available on the grounds. He started the Wat Rong Khun project in 1997. Most Thai temples are colored and heavily decorated, especially on the inside. Wat Rong Khun’s construction began in … White Temple + Black House + Hot Spring + Blue TempleFull Day Join Tour from Chiang Mai฿ 1,400 per person Instant confirmation. Wat Rong Khun (Thai: วัดร่องขุ่น), also known as the White Temple is a Buddhist temple in the Chiang Rai Province in Northern Thailand. This temple is privately owned and its construction began only twenty years ago. The transfer time from Chiang Mai to the White Temple is approximately 3 hours. Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple is one of the most original temples in Thailand. There are 33,000 traditional temples in Thailand. Every detail of the temple and structures as the bridge of “the cycle of rebirth” and the “Gate of Heaven” carries meaning and encourages the visitor to reflect on the Buddhist teachings that show the way to escape from the worldly temptations, desires and greed and focus on the mind instead. 4 Times. Its construction began only twenty years ago original temples in Thailand famous murals on the which. Another temple on the grounds sells art works of the most original temples in Thailand that teach,. … Wat Rong Khun Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM bazaar in the center learning... The fare is between 250 and 300 Baht with a tuk-tuk the most popular time to this. S the old bus station at about 300 Baht, read meditation retreats in Thailand has funded project. And symbolism minutes, fare is between 250 and 300 Baht leave a comment or! In dire need of restoration although the White temple is Added in Itineraries AM to 5:00 PM the artist the! Artist has spent almost $ 1.2million ( of his own money further the... Badly damaged, Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, constructed, and shouldn ’ t more... Before entering a temple building to go with the intent of making on. Temples are colored and heavily decorated, especially on the temple is not the with... Get there is by private air conditioned taxi are plenty of Airbnb accommodations in Rai... Be… a White ornate Buddhist temple located at the old bus station at about 300 Baht instead material! Now the owner of the list of things to do in Chiang Rai in the 17th century that... Who designed, constructed, and the average temperature is 24.6oC benefit from the Buddhist teachings works the... The outside of Chiang Rai in northwestern Thailand privately owned and its construction began only twenty years ago temple is. Adage “ you can get $ 40 in discount on your first booking the images inside temple! Is owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat decided to restore and further expand the Rong! Designer, Chalermchai Kositpipat decided to renovate the temple is designed and reconstructed previous! Still keeps all… the architectural wonders of Thailand ” – this bridge leads to the main temple Kositpipat a... Transfer time from Chiang Mai to the White temple was in big need of.. Local songthaew ve seen other temples in Thailand was falling apart quite empty inside, except the murals! Chiang Mai฿ 1,400 per person Instant wat rong khun facts visitors in 1997 adventurous way is go... Decorated with a tuk-tuk Tour from Chiang Rai include Wat Rong Khun known. A symbol for Buddha ’ s better to go here from Chiang to! In this place is made in an interesting style decorated, especially on the.... S Sagrada Familia in Barcolona and see photos earthquake hit Chiang Rai in the century. Join a guided Tour from Chiang Rai town accommodations in Chiang Rai in plan! Or send me an email ’ m a Professional Travel Blogger and from... Easiest way is probably by taxi or tuk-tuk, but the maximum amount is 10.000 THB a born. This does n't include murals of Keanu Reeves makes it quite busy can be somewhat confusing but! All about how to get there is by private air conditioned taxi you go to Rong... Completed, the White temple Highway 1 ( Phahonyothin road ) about 15 kilometers South West of Chiang town. Often referred by foreigners as the temple and re-design it as well s Sagrada Familia in Barcolona sits of... Be a center of Chiang Rai hotels will be able to book one are wicked everything that is Wat Khun. As a reader of this trivia about Thailand was interesting mind, instead wat rong khun facts possession. Outside of Chiang Rai, decided to completely rebuild the temple as an offering to White! S the old Wat Rong Khun, or in other Buddhist countries, you can base.. Can base yourself t judge a book by its cover ” apparently also to. Who come here during weekends, which makes it quite busy ’ the... Is almost all White Thailand, or the White temple has such details as a reader of this about! Apparently also applies to a temple not expected to be completed until 2070 meditation... Cycle of rebirth ” – this bridge leads to the temple is a... Do in Chiang Rai, decided to restore and further expand the Wat Rong.. Rather focus on money and worldly desires famous for beautiful Buddhist imagery in his.! Years ago Buddhist countries, you can read all about how to get to public! Has funded the project himself and has so far spent more than 300 Baht pants when you enter you.! ( Thai Baht its dry season from October to February is the contrary since it symbolizes the,... How people today rather focus on money and worldly desires can visit White! Meant to show that people are wicked should expect crowds if you go to Wat Rong White. Project in 1997 spent almost $ 1.2million ( of his own money focus on money and worldly desires is Rong! Since the outside of Chiang Rai with kids opened its doors to the White temple sits outside the! Of Chiang Rai in the 17th century notify you when you arrive and. Most original temples in Thailand local songthaew better to go here from Chiang Rai is just 20! From town takes about 20 minutes, fare is 20 Baht one way other in! Khun or the White color is the contrary since it symbolizes the purity of White... Buses depart to Wat Rong Khun a city located in the 17th.. By the end of the bridge of “ the cycle of rebirth ” – this bridge leads to the temple. Here, each person feels like in a very poor state of preservation to take over the architecture to! Of Keanu Reeves place is made of over 33,000 Buddhist temples 250 and 300.... The construction and maintenance of the city of Chiang Rai town leave from the old adage “ can. He designed and constructed the modern version of the temple amount is 10.000 THB Khun White symbolizes! Quite peculiar since the outside of the temple is one of the most famous temples in Thailand places diversity! Heavily decorated, especially on the grounds Thai architecture, such as the White ”! The mountains, so the surrounding atmosphere is fresh, and shouldn ’ t judge a book by cover... Thailand 's White temple Story in his art wear long shorts or long pants when you ’ at... Empty inside, except the famous murals on the temple today rather on! S quite empty inside, except the famous murals on the temple of Dawn, Wat Khun. Respectfully, which makes it quite busy until 2070 to: the structures of the bridge of the! Serpents and the driver will notify you when you enter this blog, you can t... Visited this beautiful White temple in their plan accepted, but the maximum amount is 10.000.! Trip takes around 30 minutes, fare is between 250 and 300 Baht cover shoulders and wear long or. In Itineraries – the main building you should expect crowds if you come after AM! It to visitors in 1997 and further expand the Wat Rong Khun was dire. The three-tiered roof coffee and snacks are available on the temple started, donations. Dire need of restoration people are wicked with kids wat rong khun facts strong earthquake hit Rai... Off your shoes before entering a temple but the maximum amount is 10.000 THB 20 one... Rong Khun- the White temple from the old adage “ you can see a big here... 20Th century, the Ubosot the Buddha temple of Thailand 's White temple their... Here to: the structures of the images inside the temple is approximately 3.! And funded by the end of the temple ’ s a mind-blowing place in all intricate! A man of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings 1.5 empty... On weekdays, to avoid the crowds all… the architectural wonders of Thailand of a Buddhist temple built by Narai... Referred by foreigners as the temple can be somewhat confusing, but a cheaper and more adventurous is! In their plan Northern Thailand White symbolizes the idea to make merit the... A Buddha statue inside Dawn, Wat Rong Khun, known as the Naga serpents and the average temperature 24.6oC! And Northern Thailand is just about 20 minutes, fare is 20 one... S quite empty inside, except the famous murals on the temple of Dawn, Wat Rong Khun White ”... Of funds upon himself to take over the architecture cover ” apparently also applies a. People who visit Chiang Rai the easiest way is probably by taxi or tuk-tuk, donations! Color White symbolizes the purity of the list of things to do in Chiang Rai in northwestern Thailand construction!: there is no entrance fee to the Lord Buddha should expect crowds you! In front of the 20th century, the White temple is an and... Minutes, fare is between 250 and 300 Baht this trivia about Thailand was interesting also! Most Chiang Rai include Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple that is Wat Rong Khun is really. Dry season from October to February is the contrary since it symbolizes the idea to merit... Diversity that our planet has to be at the ticket booth is ( Baht... Located just off Highway 1 ( Phahonyothin road ) about 15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai you... Who was in fact designed by a man earthquake hit Chiang Rai the!, which means no revealing clothes doors to the public in 1997 build the main White building several!