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White Temple, Chiang Rai: A Photo Essay
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.
And the kind of monstrous statues you don’t usually expect to see in a temple…
The approach to the main temple goes past a large pond, with the temple reflected in the water.
It feels like a fantastical, fairy world.
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.
The hands begging desperately to escape from hell are rather disturbing.
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.
Once you cross the bridge you reach the Gate of Heaven, guarded by Death…
Up close the temple is dazzling.
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…
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…
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.
Have you ever visited the White Temple? Leave a comment and let us know what you thought.
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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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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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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!
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.
Awesome Post and Amazing Place. It made my Day. Keep Up The Awesome Work.
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.
Wow what an amazing temple, it’s like a dream world – part beautiful, part terrifying. I would love to visit someday
Ta. It’s over three hours from here (Chiang mai) but I can make that easy.
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).
I think it was around 11am.
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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Hi,im of to Burma in September,landing in Bangkok do you know if i can cross in to burma by boat,Many thanks,Ben
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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 😀
wow,looks amazing. I am leaving for Chiangmai in a few days. So exciting.:)
Breathtakingly beautiful and disturbing. I’d love to return and spend more time to appreciate it fully.
Looks like it snowed
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! http://www.travelingandthat.com/black-and-white.html
We’d love to go back as well as see how it changes over the years. What an ambitious project! Your photos are great.
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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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
The Black one is so different but just as crazy – definitely stop off on your way.
Can’t wait to see this place in person in July. i from there 20 years ago.
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This place looks insane!
How on earth did the Predator get there?!
WOW. I can’t image how much work has been done to create something as wonderful as this place.
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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Very cool! Stunning photos….never knew this place existed, but I won’t forget about it now.
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
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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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.
I never, ever tire of seeing photos of this temple. It’s so strange, yet beautiful!
Odd and beautiful in a perfect combination 🙂
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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…
Thanks Tammy – your comments are much appreciated.
Strange that they have a statue of the predator there. Looks like an interesting place!
It is very strange but then there are modern cultural references in a number of places. It’s definitely not your average temple!
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?
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!
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?
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!
Such a beautiful and original temple! Great photos 😉
Thanks Cam – it is a unique place.
Awesome temple! Pretty sure that is a statue of Predator.
WOW this temple is amaaaaaaazing! I would have never left haha.
It is an incredible place and you can spend hours looking at all the details.
Love the White Temple!! Definitely our favorite temple in all of Thailand!
It’s in our all time top 3 temples in Asia list too.
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.
I couuld have posted so many photos of all the little details – the attention to detail by the artist is incredble.
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.
That’s a shame. It’s a great part of the world for adventurous activities though – we loved motorbiking in the area.
How fabulous and unexpected! It’s so strange and yet so beautiful. Love it. 🙂
Thanks Cheryl!
Wow, what a cool temple! Nice photo essay!
Thanks Randy!
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!
It would have been a little rushed in a day, but at least it’s an excuse to go back.
What a beautiful place – something about white structures like this always gets my attention. The hands are eerie…
It does stand out in a country where all the temples are so golden.
That is incredible! Putting that one on my bucket list for sure! How did I miss that in all my trips to Thailand??
It’s strange that it isn’t better known isn’t it?
i visted the white temple in december 26 its beatifull
the 3rd picture is from Predator
Oh, thanks for letting us know! How bizarre!
I was going to mention that, scrolling through the comments I thought it was strange no one had mentioned that yet! Its cool because its a lot like the statues from the movies 😀
Very odd place. Very odd.
It is. I love odd places 🙂
Cannot stop staring at this photos – they are amazing. What a macabre/beautiful wonderland! Proper stuff of fairytales…
That’s the perfect description – thanks Nadia.
That is a fabulous looking temple, it looks like something out of a fairy tale or off the top of a Christmas Cake 😉
I kept thinking it was like a gothic wedding cake!
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
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.
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!
It’s a good excuse to come back to Thailand!
Great pictures, i love the art work in the sculptures
Thanks Zablon. The intricate detail was astounding.
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..
I love that combo too. Hope you make it there next time.
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.
Ok. Supremely disturbing. The hands and the random ghoulish faces.
There are definitely disturbing parts, wrapped up in a pretty package.
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.
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.)
Fascinating, it looks like a giant ice palace! And those hands trying to escape hell are just a little creepy…
It does have some dark moments.
What a spectacular photo essay. The ornate detail is over the top. You make me want to pack up and go.
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.
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!
How bizarre were the paintings inside the temple? But yes, very different from your usual temples!
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!
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.
Wow! This is a wonder of architecture! Great pics!
Thanks Angela, it really is spectacular. I love the artist’s ambition.
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.
I haven’t heard of that one – thanks for letting us know.
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!
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!
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.
Whoa, it looks like a (somewhat creepy) ice castle! That white is just so striking.
That’s true! There are lots of glass sections that probably add to that effect.
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. Hope I make it there someday!
Thanks Ellen. I hope you do make it there, it’s a unique place.
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!
That’s a shame!
I’ve see Wat Rong Khun several times and it’s always seemed to me more like a commercial theme park than a Buddhist temple. There’s nothing at all spiritual about it. Are there even any practicing monks there?