Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Detour:
Wat Rong Khun
Thirteen kilometres south of Chiang Rai is the unusual and popular
Wat Rong Khun
(
'White Wat'; admission free)
. Whereas most temples have centuries of history, this one's
construction began in 1997 by noted Thai painter-turned-architect Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Seen from a distance, the temple appears to be made of glittering porcelain; a closer
look reveals that the look is due to a combination of whitewash and clear-mirrored chips.
Walk over a bridge and sculpture of reaching arms (symbolising desire) to enter the sanc-
tity of the wát where instead of the traditional Buddha life scenarios, the artist has painted
contemporary scenes representing
samsara
(the realm of rebirth and delusion).
To get to the temple, hop on one of the regular buses that run from Chiang Rai to Chi-
ang Mai or Phayao and ask to get off at Wat Rong Khun (20B).
Buses from Chiang Rai
Buses bound for destinations within Chiang Rai Province, as well as slow fan-cooled
buses bound for Chiang Mai and Lampang, depart from the bus station in the centre of
town.
sook; 6am-7pm)
has an office across from the interprovincial bus terminal, but only VIP
buses can be boarded here; all other Bangkok-bound buses depart from the new bus sta-
tion.
DESTINATION FARE (B) DURATION (HR) FREQUENCY
Chiang Khong 65
2½
every hr 5.20am-5.45pm
Chiang Mai
142
7
every 45min 6.30am-noon
Chiang Saen
32
1½
every 20min 6.20am-6.30pm
Lampang
102
5
every 45min 6.30am-noon
Mae Sai
39
1½
every 20min 6am-8pm
