The Famous White Temple in Chiang Rai: Beautiful? or Creepy…

Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) in Chiang Rai usually makes its way onto many peoples’ lists when they’re visiting Northern Thailand. Just a 2.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai, the temple can be found on the outskirts of Chiang Rai. (I know right? Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai? Come on now…who thought of that)

While the White Temple is certainly not Thailand’s most historic temple (having only been built in the last 20 years) it is certainly one of the country’s most iconic temples. Actually, its more like a work of modern art than a traditional temple. It was built in 1997 by eccentric artist Chalermchai Kositpipat ($10 to whoever can say that name 3x fast). At a distance, the temple is extraordinarily striking. The fact that the entire structure is pure white is quite a departure from normal Thai architecture. I doubt you’ll see any temple like this anywhere else in the country.

However, as you enter the temple grounds and get a closer look, things start to get creepy.

While unsure of the specific meaning behind all of the imagery, there are elements of Buddhist Mythology as well as more modern thinking about the afterlife and death.

While I have nothing against severed heads per se, I’m not sure that they make the most appealing tree ornaments. However, the designer felt otherwise. The story goes that one of the heads is a bust of the designer himself–50 points to Gryffindor to the first person who can locate the designer’s head!

As you approach the temple, you will cross a bridge over a pit of death. A closer look into the pit shows what is waiting for you should you fall away from the path:

Hundreds of ghostly hands are reaching out of the pit–many of them grasping different objects. This imagery is supposed to represent uninhibited desire–what happens to man when he allows his passions to control him. The bridge leads to the afterlife and helps you rise above your desires and resist temptation in order to reach heaven.

Venture across the bridge only if you dare:

There are monsters guarding the bridge and the temple at every turn. They are there to keep out the unwanted and the unworthy:

^^Dobby? Is that you?

There are random details like this pictured below that even my imagination cant explain:

However, once you get over the eeriness of some of the imagery, you will truly be amazed at the intricacy and attention to detail:

The ceiling hanging with thousands upon thousands of little silver charms

While some people come as pilgrims:

Most are just tourists marveling at the strange and mysterious work of art:

Christian trying to blend in with the Severed Heads

Rasmus and his new friend

Classic tourist pic of yours truly: #sorrynotsorry

So now that you’ve gotten acquainted with Wat Rong Khun, what is your opinion? Is it beautiful or creepy?

My opinion?

It’s beautifully creepy.

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