Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun, known as the White Temple, is a contemporary Buddhist temple in Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and begun in 1997, it is renowned for its all-white exterior with mirrored glass mosaics, elaborate sculptures, and modern murals. The temple is privately owned and still under construction as an ongoing art project.

Visitors can expect a striking all-white temple complex set in landscaped grounds with ponds and sculptures. The main approach crosses the Bridge of the Cycle of Rebirth over a sea of sculpted hands, leading to the ornate white ubosot (ordination hall) decorated with mirrored fragments. Inside are contemporary murals blending Buddhist motifs with modern imagery. The grounds also include the golden building, galleries, and exhibition halls displaying art by Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Wat Rong Khun was conceived and funded by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1997 on the site of a dilapidated temple. The artist intended the temple as an offering to Buddha and as a contemporary art project to be continued for decades, with the white color symbolizing purity and the glass symbolizing wisdom.

The temple is a contemporary Buddhist art site that interprets traditional Buddhist principles such as the cycle of rebirth, desire, and enlightenment through modern architecture and murals. It serves as both a place of worship and a cultural landmark showcasing modern Thai Buddhist art and craftsmanship.