Beautiful temples are scattered all around Thailand, and the province of Chiang Rai is home to some of the very best. If you ever find yourself in this part of Thailand, Wat Rong Khun is one of the places you shouldn’t miss for the world since it’s one of the most magical temples that you’ll ever come across.
Wat Rong Khun is commonly known as the White Temple, and it’s been around since 1997. The Thai visual temple Chalermchai Kositpipat funded its rebuilding, believing this ornate temple will give him immortal life.
The striking white color of this temple is meant to symbolize the purity of the Buddha, but it’s not the only thing that makes it unique. The principal building, ubosot, features mirrored glass embedded in its exterior, and the temple looks just as magical on the inside.
Once you step in, you’ll be really floored by the interior, because it stands in stark contrast to Wat Rong Khun’s intricate white exterior. The walls are decorated with motifs inspired by western popular culture, from Superman and Batman to Neo from The Matrix.
Wat Rong Khun is located 15 km outside the city of Chiang Rai, and you can visit it year-round, between 8 AM and 5 AM.