Thailand > Chiang Rai > Muang Chiang Rai District > Wat Rong Khun

“Wat Rong Khun is a contemporary unconventional buddhist and Hindu temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1997.”

Wat Rong Khun is different from any other temple in Thailand, as its ubosot (Pali: uposatha; consecrated assembly hall) is designed in white color with some use of white glass. The white color stands for Lord Buddha's purity; the white glass stands for Lord Buddha's wisdom that "shines brightly all over the Earth and the Universe."

All the paintings inside the ubosot (assembly hall) have golden tones. The four walls, ceiling and floor contain paintings showing an escape from the defilements of temptation to reach a supramundane state. On the roof, there are four kinds of animals representing earth, water, wind and fire. The elephant stands for the earth; the naga stands for water; the swan's wings represent wind; and the lion's mane represents fire.

To get there from the city of Chiang Rai, drive north along Asia Highway or rent taxi