Day 95 Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)——Hall of Masterwork.

Me, Gonzo and Federico arrived Chiang Rai around six o'clock. We luckily and quickly found a cheap homestay. Then, three of us went out to have dinner and took a walk in the city.   

Golden clock tower. 

It's in the centre of Chiang Rai——one of the most beautiful clock tower in Thailand. It was built by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipap who also created the White Temple. Every evening at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m, there is a light and sound display at the clock. Thanks to the Songkran holidays, we were lucky to see the fireworks and the light show of the clock.

April 15th, 2014. The morning.

We had breakfast at Nangnon Coffee. 

After breakfast, we were walking around in Chiang Rai and trying to figure things out. Federico needed to find a post office and sent something back to Italy. It took us a while to find it, but the post office was closed because of the Songkran holiday.

Then, we walked back to the bus station and decided to take a bus to check out this amazing White temple. 

The Wat Rong Khun, known as "the White Temple" is one of Chiang Rai's best visited attractions. If you only see one thing in Chiang Rai, please go see this temple. It is located 13-15 kilometers south of Chiang Rai. 

• How to get there? —— Get a bus from Chiang Rai bus station which is the old one in the centre of town. It's 20 baht per person and takes about 30 minutes. 

The White Temple is a Buddhist and Hindu temple designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997. It stands out through the white color and the use of pieces of glass in the plaster. The white color signifies the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom, the Dhamma and the Buddhist teachings. 

For more information➔ The White Temple

Overview of the White Temple. How fantastic it is! The White Temple is one of the most extraordinary temples I've ever seen. 

Gonzo, me and Federico.

The bridge towards the ubosot is called “the cycle of rebirth”, it represents human suffering and hell. The bridge signifies the crossing over from the cycle of death and rebirth into free of suffering. It also symbolizes the way to happiness by overcoming ordinary things, such as temptations, greed and desire.

The hands begging desperately to escape from hell.

No shoes and photos inside the main temple.

It was a hot afternoon. There are free drinks for everyone who finish visiting the temple. 

There is still one more structure——The golden building.

Federico and batman!

The temple complex is still incomplete. Chalermchai Kositpipat is training people to continue his ambitious project even after his death.

Federico with the Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.

We were waiting for the bus back to Chiang Rai city. 

Gonzo was practicing KungFu while waiting the bus.

After visiting the temple, I said Goodbye to Gonzo and Federico. I'll see you guys again in Bangkok very soon. 

(And yes! I did see Gonzo again in BKK, it was just a week ago.)

Chiang Rai is a pretty quite city, not much things to do here. But you should definitely visit the White temple and the Black temple! It's worth it and will take your breath away.