January 20, 2021, 11:44 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Near the city of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, a local artist has created a temple that could serve as an impressive backdrop for any fantasy film. The structure is so unique that visitors are even impressed by its restrooms.
Not far from the city of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand lies a true architectural wonder, a place so unrealistically beautiful that many viewers might wonder if they are simply dreaming it. A palace from another world that no author of fantasy literature could have imagined better—except it actually exists.
The subject is Wat Rong Khun, the so-called White Temple, designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in honor of Buddha. What makes it special: The temple is such a brilliant white that one might think it is made of snow—in fact, it is entirely covered with glass and mirror fragments that reflect sunlight in an almost otherworldly way.
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The white symbolizes the purity of Buddha, but what truly makes the White Temple unique are the countless, incredibly detailed and lovingly crafted figures that inhabit it: Here, sword-wielding guardians watch over its entrance, there, a fearsome-looking dragon winds its way, and of course, there is no shortage of depictions of Buddha himself. The walk across the wooden bridge to the temple is a bit eerie, as countless hands reach out to visitors from both sides, which according to “Lonely Planet” represent human desire.
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Inside the temple, some unusual depictions await as well, such as Superman flying next to Neo from the movie Matrix, painted on the wall, with other film characters like the cute Minions mingling alongside Hello Kitty cats and Kung Fu Panda. Since 1997, the well-known Thai artist and painter Kositpipat has been working on his life’s work with students. However, Wat Rong Khun is far from finished—new details are constantly being added. The plan is to complete the temple’s construction by 2070.
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The beauty of the temple is merely a facade for all the serious themes that, according to “Geo,” Kositpipat’s figures and the building itself address: issues like addiction and greed, scourges of humanity like terror. In 2014, an earthquake severely damaged the temple, but today it shines again in its unique splendor.
And it is indeed so dazzlingly bright that visitors sometimes have to wear sunglasses to view it comfortably—according to its creator, however, the temple is most impressive in the moonlight when it glows with a ghostly light. The structure is so extraordinary that even its visitor restrooms are jokingly referred to by some as the most beautiful in all of Thailand.
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Visitors Are Enthralled by Wat Rong Khun
On the portal “Tripadvisor,” users also express their enthusiasm for the White Temple Wat Rong Khun. One writes: “Wow, absolutely impressive. The main reason to come to Chiang Rai is to see this temple.” Another says: “A wonderful place with stunning architecture.” Yet another even states: “Here you get an impression of what heaven must look like.” According to user information, in addition to the temple, there is also a garden and an art exhibition to admire. Numerous users mention that admission is free.
According to “Lonely Planet,” a bus runs directly to the attraction from Chiang Rai every 40 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The stop is marked in English as “White Temple.”