| SPECIAL PLACE
Exploring the
Golden Triangle 金三角
CHIANG RAI IS ITSELF A BEAUTIFUL DESTINATION, BUT IT’S ALSO A GATEWAY TO EXPLORING MYANMAR’S FASCINATING SHAN STATE REGION 清莱是一个美丽的目的地，它也是探索迷人的缅甸掸邦地区的开始
Words and photos by Bruce Scott
C
hiang Rai is Thailand’s northernmost province, and historic Chiang Rai city, situated in the Mae Kok (Kok River) basin, served as the first capital of King Mengrai’s Lanna kingdom (a memorial statue of this famous monarch is a revered city landmark). Meanwhile, the amusingly named Kok River serves as a Northern border to the town, and actually runs all the way up into the Shan State in Myanmar. Many people come to see Chiang Rai’s famous White Temple (proper name Wat Rong Khun), which is located about 13 km south of the city. Visitors are immediately dazzled by the sight of this blindingly white, intricately detailed structure, wholly conceived by Thai artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. To enter the main temple visitors must pass through a pair of giant fangs, demon guards, and a lake of miserable hell-bound figures. Once inside, you’ll be surprised by one of the strangest temple murals ever painted. Opening hours are from 8am to 5pm daily and admission is free for Thais but THB 50 for non-Thais.
34 l 24 LIFE M a g a z i n e
清莱是泰国最北端的省份，历史悠久的清莱市位于 Mae Kok（Kok River）盆地，是兰纳王国 Mengrai 王的第一个首 都（这座著名君主的纪念雕像是一座受人尊敬的城市地标）。 与此同时， Kok 河作为该城的北部边界，这条河实际上一直 延伸到缅甸的掸邦。 许多人前来清莱是为了去参观著名的白庙（全称 Wat Rong Khun），位于城南约 13 公里处, 是泰国艺术家 Chaloemchai Khositphiphat 完全构思和创作的。这个令人 感觉错综复杂的结构，使游客们立刻眼花缭乱。
要进入寺庙
的内部，游客必须穿过一对巨大的毒牙，恶魔守卫和一个悲惨 的地狱湖。 一旦进入，你会被寺庙中奇怪的壁画所吸引。 开 放时间为每天上午 8 点至下午5点，泰国人免门票，非泰国人 门票 50 泰铢。
White Temple
