In the northern part of Thailand is the quiet town of Chiang Rai, famous for its jungle trek adventures and indigenous hill tribes. During my never-ending overnight bus journey to Luang Probang, Laos, we traveled through Chiang Rai and witnessed one of the most elaborate and beautiful temples I have ever seen in Southeast Asia. Wat Rong Khun, or as tourist mostly call it ‘The White Temple”.
A millionaire artist and famous Thai Buddhist painter, Chariemchai Kositpipat, built this contemporary Buddhist temple in 1997. He funded the project himself and spent the rest of his life building the temple as an offering to Buddha.
This gorgeous white temple is covered with tiny mirror chips all over which makes it glitter in the sunlight.
Hundreds of sculpted hands are reaching from hell beneath The Bridge of Bliss. The bridge symbolizes the Buddhism Bridge of the Cycle of Rebirth; the way to reach happiness is by eliminating cravings and temptations.
After crossing the Bridge of Bliss you reach the Gates of Heaven guarded by the statues of Rahu (one who controls men’s fate) and Death (one who controls men’s life). After crossing the bridge you reach the Abode of Buddha. Inside you will witness a beautiful Buddha alter and mural paintings. Unfortunately you can not take photos inside so you will have to take a journey there for yourself and see!
This place is absolutely gorgeous and so are the photos! I never knew this existed before but this is now going on my “Places I Need To Visit” list!
Amazing!
Thanks! Yea its definitely beautiful especially on a bright sunny day. That list of “Places I need to visit” is always growing! Glad I could show you one to add 🙂 Happy Travels!
Those hands reaching out from Hell look really freaky!
Yea they are freaky and there’s so many. I couldn’t stop looking at them.