The White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun) is not the average temple that one would usually come across!
In fact, this unique temple is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand and known for its contemporary, unconventional, privately-owned art exhibit in the form of a Buddhist temple.
I have put together this complete guide on how to get here, how much it costs to enter, and what to expect when you arrive.
WHERE IS THE WHITE TEMPLE IN CHIANG RAI?
The White Temple is located 20-minutes southwest of Chiang Rai City, Northern Thailand.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
If you plan on doing a day trip to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, the journey time is approximately 3 hours each way.
WHITE TEMPLE CHIANG RAI OPENING HOURS & ENTRANCE FEES
The White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun) is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is 50 Baht per person.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
I arrived at Wat Rong Khun Chiang Rai at 10 am and I was surprised to see that there were already crowds of people on the temple grounds. I was a little shocked, to begin with, as I don’t like visiting touristy spots where there are herds of people.
However, I spent an hour or so exploring the entirety of the temple grounds at Wat Rong Khun and had a blast regardless of the number of tourists.
The White Temple Chiang Rai stands out among most, through its white-coated exterior and plastic glass embedded into the rendering that sparkles brightly in the sun.
It is said that the white color signifies the purity of Buddha and the glass symbolizes Buddha’s wisdom. The temple was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous visual artist and architect from Thailand.
It is definitely different to other temples in Thailand and you can easily notice it when comparing Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
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Photography is strictly prohibited inside the White Temple in Chiang Rai, so I will try to explain what to expect as best I can in words.
The big open hall inside Wat Rong Khun has contemporary illustrations, comic book artworks, and symbols of Buddha painted on the walls from top to bottom.
Must Read → 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Without giving too much away, I could have spent an hour inside the main temple admiring the detailed artworks.
Also inside the Wat Rong Khun complex is a number of other Buddhist temples, a golden wishing well, beautiful gardens, and an art gallery filled with more incredible illustrations from Chalermchai Kositpipat.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHIANG RAI
Chiang Rai has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Chiang Rai to suit budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
- Luxury: Le Patta Hotel
- Mid Range: The Space Hotel
- Budget: Mercy Hostel
WHAT TO PACK FOR CHIANG RAI
When visiting Chiang Rai, here are some essential items I recommend taking with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
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Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
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Portable PowerBank
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More Thailand Travel Guides
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FINAL THOUGHTS – WAT RONG KHUN
If you have any questions, please drop me a line below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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