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.
By the end of the 20th century, the original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair, Funds were not available for renovation. Chalermchai Kositpipat, a local artist from Chiang Rai, decided to completely rebuild the temple and fund the project with his own money.To date, Chalermchai has spent THB1, 080 million on the project.[4] The artist intends for the area adjacent to the temple to be a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings. Kositpipat considers the temple to be an offering to Buddha and believes the project will give him immortal life. Today the works are ongoing, but are not expected to be completed until 2070.
Direction
The White Temple is a little over six miles (around 13 kilometers) south of town at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 1208.
The laziest option for getting to the White Temple is to join a sightseeing tour (available from most guesthouses and hotels) that includes the White Temple, Black House, and other sights. Otherwise, you can rent a scooter and drive yourself; just get on the superhighway and head south — you can’t miss the brilliantly glowing White Temple on your right. Traffic on Highway 1 between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai can be fast and intense. Stay to the left side and drive carefully!
Another easy option for reaching the White Temple is to take a southbound public bus from the bus station in town. Tell the driver that you want to stop off at Wat Rong Khun. To get back, you’ll need to either hire a tuk-tuk or flag down a northbound bus.
There is an art gallery and small shopping venues for people who want to purchase mementos of their visit. There is also an onsite café that serves iced beverages and Thai food for thirsty and hungry patrons.
On your tour, you’ll also visit the completely opposite, yet equally intriguing, “Black House”, another artistic representation of a Thai temple yet with a darker, more sinister side.
Because both places hold a local religious and cultural significance, visitors are encouraged to wear polite attire that covers shoulders and knees, especially women.
#Thailand #ChiangRai #วัดร่องขุ่น #WatRongKhun #UnlimitedTravelersCorp #InterminableCorp #White Temple
