HOW DID I GET TO WHITE TEMPLE?
This is my second time coming to here. I came here with the tour bus previously. And it was quite easy to get here by taking a bus from the bus terminal.
After visiting the Black House, I took a songthaew (20B) back to the bus terminal. I had my lunch in a noodle shop just opposite.
I took another bus to Wat Rong Khun about (20B). I have no idea what number is this. But it get full with passengers after lunch hour!
It is pretty straight-forward to reach to the temple since it is located just next to the Highway No.1. Chiang Rai town is at the Northeast where as the temple is located 12km away at the Southwest. I just notified the bus driver and conductor that I am going to Wat Rong Khun.
WAT RONG KHUN (WHITE TEMPLE)
Wat Rong Khun a.k.a the White Temple is perhaps the most stunning white temple I have ever seen. It is designed by a well-unknown Thai artist/architect - Chalermchai Kositpipat. This templed began construction from 1997 by him and the construction phase at other part of the area are going-on too. It is believed that the whole masterpiece is yet to be completed until year 2070. I wonder if I still exist on earth during that time.
TICKET : NONE
TIME : 09:00 AM - 18:00 PM
It looked extremely eye-catching from far. This whole Wat area isn't really big but its fine details of each and every corner will surely blow your mind away.
Here's my personal understanding(perception) about Wat Rong Khun. According to sources, this temple represents the good and evil - heaven and hell. While walking pass the tiny pond in front, you will come to a pit that leads you to a bridge. There are hundreds of hand in the pit, it represents the hell where most bad people will suffer in here if they chose to continue with their sin. Once walking pass it slowly, you will cross the glittering bridge that leads you the main White Temple. The temple represents Heaven. Perhaps it is saying that every person will go through good and bad in life and whether you could reach heaven, all living beings are subject to the karma - the cause and effect.
The pit of hundred hands from hell. Spotted a creepy looking head.
No photo inside the main temple.
The temple was glittering like a diamond under the mid day sun. The interior of the main temple has some interesting paintings on wall. The painting is basically representing the contemporary scenes that is happening in the cosmic universe. There are cartoon character, celebrities such as Doraemon, Keanu Reeves from the Matrix, Sailormoon, Michael Jackson, Gozilla etc. It is really beyond my expectation to see these painting in the temple during my first visit. In front of the temple, there's a sitting waxed monk which looked extremely alive! Unfortunately no photo inside.
The design of roof can be seen on the lampposts in Chiang Rai street as well.
The walking aisle out from the temple.
There's on-going construction just beside the blessing tree.
A wishing pond inside the pavilion.
The founder of Wat Rong Khun - Chalermchai Kositpipat.
The hall of masterworks, many art pieces are shown inside. No Photography.
A bottle of whiskey is placed on top of a red skull.
See you in year 2070!
NEXT >> CHIANG SAEN
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