After seeing Wat Rong Khun all over Instagram, (better known as the White Temple to foreigners) I finally had the pleasure of visiting myself. The long wait was worth it and I feel like I got so much more from my visit. I always thought that it was just the temple on it’s own – but to my surprise, there were also other shrines and a golden temple on the grounds.

I arrived just before lunch time, so the hordes of tourists were already there. But that didn’t take away anything from my experience. People were making merit or paying their respects, and others were just trying to get that perfect shot.

The temple is privately owned by a prominent artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, who is also the creator of Chiang Rai’s Golden Clock Tower.

The Bridge of the Cycle of Rebirth
To get to the main building, you have to cross a bridge that goes over a small lake. Just before the bridge you’ll see hundreds of hands that look like they’re reaching out from the ground. They symbolize the constant human desire that’s uncontrollable. And if we truly want to be happy, we have to let go of these desires.

The Golden Building
You’ll also see a very large golden building to the side of the White Temple. This is actually a very glamorous-looking restroom which has its own significance. It appropriately symbolizes our bodies and how worldly we are. While the white temple symbolizes the mind, and the importance of keeping it pure.

There are many other small structures (some of which include superheroes) that you can view as you walk the grounds and the venue is large enough to explore for a few hours. The temple opened it’s doors in 1997, and is yet to be completed.

Where to find it?