Chiang Rai: a popular tourist destination in Thailand |
Posted: March 11, 2019 |
Thailand is not just about beautiful beaches, parties and cool night clubs. Thailand is the land of many amazing temples located at breathtaking locations. The White Temple – “Wat Rong Khun” is one of the most famous and recognized temples in Thailand. The exact location of this temple is just 15 km south-west of the town Chiang Rai. A large number of foreign tourists come here and thus this bizarre white temple Chiang Rai has become the most visited place in Thailand. Why this is a unique temple? The temple portrays a unique rather bizarre architecture through the white color along with the clever use of multiple pieces of glass in the entire plaster that sparkle in the sun. What the white color stands for? The white color indicates the purity of Lord Buddha. On the other hand, the pieces of glass signify the Dharma and the wisdom of Buddha. A renowned Thai visual artist – Chalermchai Kositpipat has designed the entire White Temple but it is not finished yet. Eventually, the initial plan was to include nine buildings including a large hall to preserve the Buddhist relics, a meditation hall, an ubosot, the living quarters of monks and a beautiful art gallery. After the big earthquake on 5th May 2014 hit Chiang Rai, this beautiful White Temple was damaged badly and then it was decided to restore and expand further. The temple is ornamented with all the Buddhist symbols. From its unique architecture, layout and mirror decoration, you can only visit the main chapel (ubosot) in the White Temple Chiang Rai from the front via a narrow bridge. The bridge passes over a pool where you will find the suffering souls in hell. Now, from here, no turning back, only proceed towards heaven through the guarded pathway to the ubosot over the demons. Inside, two images of Buddha are set against the painted murals in different shades of gold and other colors. In spite of portraying the traditional characters, Chalermchai has used the modern icons such as superman, spaceships and even the famous character Neo from the movie Matrix etc. the entire atmosphere creates a striking and lasting impression on the viewers. How to reach: The most convenient way to reach here is by private taxi. It will take just 20 minutes from the town and the fare is 250-300 Baht. You can ask your Chiang Rai hotel to book one for you. Using public transport is another comfortable option. Near the NIGHT BAZAR, you will get public buses that take 30 minutes to reach and the fare is 20 Baht. Other things to do in Chiang Rai: Except visiting the White Temple, there are other things to do in Chiang Rai such as visiting the Chiang Rai night bazaar, visiting other attractive temples here etc. Explore the majestic Blue Temple:
The Rong Sues Ten or the Blue Temple is another rising attracting in Chiang Rai. The temple is under construction to date. So, people are not aware of the majestic architecture and its hues. The Blue Temple incorporates Buddhist motifs and some beautiful contemporary mural artworks. During the sunset time, the mirrors at the temple’s exterior become a must-see while you are visiting Chiang Rai. The biggest Guan Yin Statue: You shouldn’t miss the enormous statue of the biggest statue of the “Buddhist goddess of Deity”. The Huai Pla Kung temple is created by blending the exquisite Thai and Chinese architecture. It is also a popular site for the local Buddhist pilgrims. When you will take a lift up there at 25 stories, you will be amazed by the view of the whole city. What are the popular things to do in Chiang Rai? Don’t forget to taste the local street foods like Khao Soi noodles and Bua Loy Kai – delicious dessert with coconut milk, rice balls and poached eggs.
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