White Temple, Chiang Rai: A Photo Essay image

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Our recent moped border run to Burma was at times exhausting and freezing, but it was made totally worth it when we stopped off in Chiang Rai and paid a visit to Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple.

The White Temple is a contemporary Buddhist and Hindu temple designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997, although construction is still ongoing in the extensive complex. It is one of the most extraordinary temples we have ever see – extravagant, ornate and blindingly white.

We loved the attention to detail and the small gothic elements you find around the site. Even before we approached the main temple we noticed small details like heads hanging from the trees.

Red head on tree, White Temple, Chiang Rai

And the kind of monstrous statues you don’t usually expect to see in a temple…

Statue, White Temple

The approach to the main temple goes past a large pond, with the temple reflected in the water.

White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Thailand

It feels like a fantastical, fairy world.

Statues at pond, White Temple

Our favourite part of the White Temple is the bridge that leads to the main building. To reach the Abode of the Buddha you have to cross the bridge representing the cycle of rebirth with the pits of hell below.

Pit of hell, White Temple

The hands begging desperately to escape from hell are rather disturbing.

Hands in hell, White Temple

There are all kinds of ghoulish creatures and disembodied heads of people who haven’t managed yet to overcome cravings and obtain entrance to the Abode of Buddha.

Pit of hell, White temple

Woman, pit of hell, White Temple

Once you cross the bridge you reach the Gate of Heaven, guarded by Death…

Death statue, White Temple, Chiang Rai

Up close the temple is dazzling.

White Temple, Chiang Rai up close
White Temple detail

At first the inside of the main temple seems simple and like many Thai temples with a Buddha statue and people praying peacefully before it. But then you turn around and see the incongruous epic mural depicting an apocalyptic end of the world with demons, explosions and strangely, many references to popular culture including the Matrix, Avatar, Michael Jackson, Spiderman and even the Twin Towers. Photos are not allowed inside unfortunately.

From behind the White Temple is just as striking.

And from the side…

Side White Temple

Once you have visited the main temple there is still more to see including a wishing well and the world’s most beautiful public toilets…

Toilets at the White Temple

The temple complex is still incomplete. Chalermchai Kositpipat is training people to continue his ambitious project even after his death.

The White Temple is one of the most unusual temples we have ever visited. Even if you are feeling templed-out don’t miss the White Temple if you are in northern Thailand.

The White Temple is located 13km south of Chiang Rai. We stopped off on the way from Chiang Mai, but you can easily take a local bus from Chiang Rai. Entry to the temple is free. While in Chiang Rai it is also worth visiting the Black House featuring another contemporary Thai artist’s work in a gothic setting – it’s even more astonishing that the White Temple.

110 Comments

  1. I visited Chiang Rai’s white temple last year and loved everything about this temple! I wish I could have spent more time here!

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  2. Hi Erin, i enjoyed your post here. I’ve been to White Temple once and i think it’s really awesome. White temple is very beautiful and the golden public toilet is also incredible.

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  3. Can you believe that our World Challenge Oxley College Team 2 voted to bum around and go shopping rather than visit this obviously stunning temple. Can’t describe how disappointed I was that, despite urgings from myself and our Exhibition leader, this group of teenagers made this decision. Probably my one and only chance to see it! Such is life – and the selfishness of the teenage psychie!
    Thank you for your photo essay – magnificent!

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  4. SO bummed out that I never got up here in the two years living in Thailand before it was destroyed! So many amazing temples in Thailand but this one was at the top of my list.

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  5. We visited today, although you can no longer go inside due to repair work following last year’s earthquake, it is still an amazing site.

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  6. Gorgeous photos. What time of day did you land at the White Wat? I’ve been twice and both times weren’t optimal. One was a flat grey day so it didn’t matter – the other was past 4pm (the front of the building was in shadow).

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  7. Visited the White Temple during its construction stage. Our guide was the only guide to take their guests to visit this amazing building, other guests staying at the Anantara had never heard of it from their guides, so make sure you get to visit. I bought a print of a Lotus Bud, which is so peaceful and serene, and reminds me of what a inspiring religion buddhisim is. I would love to see the temple if it is now finished, as I visited 6 or 7 years ago.

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  8. Just returned from Thailand. What a special journey . Went to Bangkok to Chang Rai to Chang Mai. Saw many Temples, However, the white temple was sur real. I experienced a whole range of emotions. Also, I am still in awe of the architecture & the attention to detail that was presented in all aspects of this incredible work of art. I took many photographs which I keep sharing with many people. WoW–words can not describe seeing this in person. Thank you for sharing your info so other people can partake in this enchanting experience.

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  9. I really enjoyed my visit to Wat Rong Khun last week, but I was bummed that the toilet building was closed.

    I find your journey inspiring. Thanks so much for doing what you do!

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  10. Oh wait a minute, The Sanctuary of Truth is a true work of art. This thing is only a tourist trap. Yes it’s free, but there is nothing sacred here. The fruit stands across the highway are more spiritual.

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  11. I’ve just visited the white temple yesterday on the way from Chiang Mai to the Myanmar border and I had the urge to read something about it. What you have wrote here is same with the 90% of my impressions so glad not to be the only one to think that it was a bit unusual! Yes, it’s whiteness and the it’s reflection on the pond is fascinating however the hands from the well were a bit irritating to me! It’s definitely worth to see because once you’re there you get this strange feeling which you can not get just from looking at the photo of it!

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  12. Now that is a reason to go to Thailand! it’s part of our lesson in architecture. Ànd I made use of this article too. Thank you Mr. Erin!

    PS. I must check that toilet :D

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  13. Breathtakingly beautiful and disturbing. I’d love to return and spend more time to appreciate it fully.

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  14. We loved the White Temple so much. Amazing to think that it is far from finished, apparently the artist and creator Ajarn Chalermchai recons it’ll be done 60-90 years after his death. We’ll definately go back in a few years and see how it has changed. Also loved the Black Temple. So dark and such a contrast to Wat Roong Khun. Thank you for sharing your photos! Would really appreciate it if you could take a look at ours and let us know what you think!

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    • We’d love to go back as well as see how it changes over the years. What an ambitious project! Your photos are great.

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  15. I have not been to White Temple before, but your photos have impressed me a lot. I will include this in my future travel itinerary for sure.

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  16. This is currently still my favourite temple in Chiang Mai, but in a few weeks we will be doing this visa run journey again so i think a trip to the black one is in order.. Everyone says its great. J

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  17. The White Temple is the craziest temple I’ve ever seen! Thanks for posting photos and sharing the story of Buddhist and Hindu mythology. I’m hoping to see it in person one day.

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  18. Wow this looks AMAZING!

    I’ll be in Chiang Mai for 2.5 days- is it feasible/worth it to do a day trip up to see the White Temple from Chiang Mai? Or should I spend more time seeing things closer to the Chiang Mai area?

    Thank you so much! Love you blog, photographs, and life style. Let me know if you are ever in Hong Kong!

    Cheers,

    Katherine

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    • People do visit the White Temple on a day trip but it’s 3 hours each way on the bus so it would be a long day and would limit what else you can see in Chiang Mai. It is an amazing place though and if you combined it with the Black House would be a worthwhile day.

      We were in Hong Kong last August and loved it. Hopefully we’ll make it back there.

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  19. Precisely, blindingly white! I just love the fairytale-like concept of the Chiang Rai Temple. I will definitely include this on my first visit.

    Darn, i am captivated.

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  20. What an amazing place! Your images are stunning and detailed, and tell a great story.
    This piece has made me want to visit there!
    Thank you, best wishes and safe travels…

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    • It is very strange but then there are modern cultural references in a number of places. It’s definitely not your average temple!

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  21. Wow, that’s pretty crazy! It’s amazingly ornate, I really didn’t think people made buildings like this any more… I’ll be adding that to our list of things to see in Thailand!

    Are you still in Thailand? Where’s your next destination?

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    • Yes we are still in Thailand and are probably going to Burma next month. We have no definite plans though – just taking each day as it comes!

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      • That sounds great :) We’re landing in Bali in about 1.5 weeks and are really looking forward to spending some time in SE Asia. What has been your favorite place so far?

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        • Probably Chiang Dao, although we loved the beaches on Koh Mak and Chiang Mai has been a great base for working. Enjoy your time here!

  22. This place is so awesome. I saw it on another website and it still doesn’t cease to amaze (love some of your detail shots). Def on my to do list.

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  23. I can’t believe we didn’t go there when we were in Chiang Rai, so bummed we missed it. We were doing trekking, cycling, motorbiking so it was a totally different trip, but we should have done our research better to check this temple out. I didn’t even know it existed. All the more reason to go back though! Great images.

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    • That’s a shame. It’s a great part of the world for adventurous activities though – we loved motorbiking in the area.

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  24. We were just in Chiang Mai, and could have taken a day trip to see the White Temple and the hill tribes in Chiang Rai but we didn’t because we only had one day and it seemed like an awfully long trip, but now seeing your photos I really wish we had. I loved the macabre statues and the hands of those who have not yet reached enlightenment.

    Next time I am in Thailand I will make sure to budget more time for a trip to Chiang Rai!

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  25. What a beautiful place – something about white structures like this always gets my attention. The hands are eerie…

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  26. That is incredible! Putting that one on my bucket list for sure! How did I miss that in all my trips to Thailand??

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  27. Cannot stop staring at this photos – they are amazing. What a macabre/beautiful wonderland! Proper stuff of fairytales…

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  28. That is a fabulous looking temple, it looks like something out of a fairy tale or off the top of a Christmas Cake ;)

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  29. Great pictures I bet it was hard for you to drag yourself away so interesting and so much to see and photograph I must put this on my places to visit

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    • You could spend hours and hours exploring all the small details. We had just spent five hours on a motorbike to get there but still managed to spend a long time wandering around.

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  30. I have read about the White Temple before and it is a place I definitely want to visit. I can’t wait to return to Thailand so I am able to see this intricate and beautiful place for myself. These photos are gorgeous!

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  31. Wow, that temple is simply beautiful, and at the same time parts of it are quite macabre, very interesting combination! Definitely need to visit on my next trip to Thailand..

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      • Went today, my 64th birthday – certainly one of the most incredible artistic experiences I’ve had – myriad thoughts spinning through my head – Dante’s Inferno – Salvador Dali – to mention two – but a breathtakingly beautiful Thai Buddhist temple in its own right – what a gift the artist has given to this planet.
        Must add:
        It’s probably fortunate that LSD is now old-hat because a visit to the White Temple under its influence would be extremely dangerous.

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      • Disturbing? Definitely. It is disturbing that so much time and money goes into religious superstition. It’s time that in a modern world we should have art for art’s sake, and discussion of philosophy of life, without all the religious mumbo jumbo.

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        • Paul, I too am an atheist and have similar feelings but to choose this setting to project your feelings is inappropriate.
          You can look at the building anyway you want, but so can those of a religeous bent. I find the Thai to be hamstrung by Buddhism but who am I to substitute my own beliefs (or lack thereof.)

    • Thanks Leigh – I hope you make it there. As a bonus there are lots of outdoor activities available in northern Thailand so it should be a great place for you.

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  32. I went to this temple last year and found it super creepy! Especially the “evil” paintings of Superman & Avatar and stuff on the inside. Definitely different than anything else I’ve seen & worth a visit!

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  33. A smart way to get attention. It reminds me of a crisp snow covered winter day, which I’m sure they don’t get a lot of there!

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    • That’s probably part of the attraction for Thais, as there’s no snow here. It really stands out from the usual gold temples that you find all over Thailand.

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  34. This temple reminds me of the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya which is also unfinished but the work is continuing. However, this one is definitely more fascinating.

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  35. Those hands reaching up are fantastic, in an artistic sense…but definitely creepy when set in a religious complex.

    You mention that there are references to popular culture on the inside. I am interested to know how? Was there art inside that looked like the Twin Towers or Neo from the Matrix?

    This is a very interesting Photo Essay, thank you for sharing!

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    • I should have explained that better. Yes there were actual paintings of the Twin Towers and Neo etc as part of a huge mural. Very strange in a temple!

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      • I’m not sure if they were taken in spite of the requests not to do so, but a search on Google images brings up several of the mural.

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  36. Wow that temple is beautiful. I gave it a miss when I was in Chiang Rai, but I wish I hadn’t now. It’s quite impressive!

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