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Wat Rong KhunWat Rong Khun, well-known among foreigners as the White Temple, is an unconventional Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Designed in 1997 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, this temple is a bizarre blend of traditional Thai architecture and the surreal. The building is painted white to symbolize Buddha’s purity, and is covered in mosaics of mirrors, sparkling in the sun. All around the complex are sculptures of demons, skulls, severed heads handing from trees.

Wat Rong KhunThailand's White Temple - Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai

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Getting There

The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, is located 13 km outside the city of Chiang Rai.

If travelling from Chiang Rai, you can go by songthaew or take the public bus from platforms 7 and 8 of the old bus station.  The bus is only 20 baht. You can also go by tuk-tuk; the driver may wait for you for the return trip.

Name

Wat Rong Khun, “The White Temple”

Date

Completely rebuild late 20th century onward

Location

Off Highway 1 (Phahonyothin road)15 kilometers South West of Chiang Rai town

Wat Rong Khun is open every day from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.

The art gallery is open Mon – Fri 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. On Sat – Sun and national holidays the gallery is open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Hours

Costs

free

How Long Should We Spend There?Visitors typically spend between 45 minutes and 2 hours at the temple