As our driver drove speedily around car-sized potholes, mopeds and pedestrians in the rainy weather on the way to the Laos border, we managed to make a quick stop at one of the most interesting temples I’ve seen to date while backpacking through Thailand: Wat Rong Khun.
Located just outside of Chiang Rai about 15 minutes (that’s driving the crazy Thai way at 100 kilometers an hour in a 30 kilometer an hour speed zone), our ludicrous driver backed into a parking spot and gave us 10 minutes to explore the site. But of course, we took much more time than that. 😉
Enjoy today’s photo essay as I scamper past the hands clawing at your ankles, across the pearly white bridge & into an artistic contemporary unconventional Buddhist temple unlike any other temple in Thailand.
Wat Rong Khun Temple
At the end of my personal tour through Wat Rong Khun, I came to the conclusion that this temple was much different than the ancient ruins I found in Chiang Mai or the more popular temples of the Royal Monastery in Bangkok. I never realized that the look and feel of a temple in the region could change so drastically.
In the end, I walked away with yet another appreciation of such a rich culture and was even more excited to discover what the rest of Asia had to offer as I trekked deeper into the region on a road that became increasingly less traveled.
My question for you: Where is the most interesting temple you would like to explore?
Beautiful, weird, strange! Never seen anything like it in 20yrs in Thailand!
What a fantastic Temple and has always been on list to visit. At present I am still planning my trip to Thailand as there is so much to see and do I know I need time to explore it all (I think a career break would be in order to achieve this!). Other ones on my list to visit is Las Lajas Cathedral in Colombia and St Basil’s in Moscow. As for temples in Thailand there are too many to mention – I would also need to include Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Prambanan, Indonesia.
Yes a career break would be perfect for this sort of getaway. The temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is very beautiful from what I’ve seen. I heard it has a surreal atmosphere. There are also some other cool places in Northern Thailand like this cave outside of Luang Prabang that have ancient Buddha statues covered in dust and cob webs. I’d recommend checking that out too! 🙂
White is my favorite shade so this easily got my attention the first time I saw it in pictures. I’ve been trying to look for close shots of the hands but to no avail, until I encountered this post.
Truth be told, this amuses and creeps me at the same time. The intricacy and variety of design is magnificent, but when seen from afar, it makes one wonder if it’s okay to go inside.
Yeah it’s definitely a new world ‘creepy’ twist compared to other more traditional temples around Thailand. Just the weird hands reaching up gave me the shivers as I crossed over the bridge but yes, you are allowed to enter. There was actually a monk meditating inside when the group and I arrived doing mantras.
I love this one, so surreal! And by the way, you like temples Boy, don’t you?! 🙂
Hahaha I guess I do! lol
Holy wow this is absolutely phemoenol. Agree also that it’s kind of creepy, but the attention to every single little detail is nuts!! It genuinely looks out of this world – love it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome Megan! 🙂
This is the Wat I want to see most in all of Thailand! Really hoping to make it out there later this year.
I hope you make it out too Beth. And when you visit this temple, make sure to take your time walking through it; the guides really liked to rush us on this one and I wasn’t having it!
This is fascinating, I want to see it. I loved the temples in Thailand, Bangkok holds some of my favourites. Although the temples in Ephesus, Turkey were awesome too.
I’ve yet to have been to Turkey and visit the temples there…would love to go soon! 😉
This temple looks so great–I’ve been wanting to check it out for some time now. I love all the unique details–I can see how it’s one of your favorites!
Oh yeah, easily one of my favorites. It’s uniquely different to all the others I’ve seen in Thailand as I’m sure you can tell! 😉 lol
I’ve seen photos of this place before, but it never ceases to amaze me. I feel like I could spend months in Thailand just exploring the temples. The art and iconography associated with Buddhism is simply mind-blowing! Great photos, Ron.
Thanks Bret! 🙂
Stunning photos! I’ve been in Chiang Mai for 3 weeks and have been to lazy to get up to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple. Will have to soon after seeing these great photos. Cheers.
You’ve definitely got to make it up that way; it’s stunning art work!
Beautiful photos Ron, I am making a trip to Thailand this Fall and this temple is now on my list!
Ever been to Bangladesh?
Not yet but it’s on my list – but I did hop around Bangladesh during my tour in Asia!