Whereas most of Thailand’s Buddhist temples have centuries of history, Wat Rong Khun’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 appearance is due to a combination of whitewash and clear-mirrored chips. It’s located about 13km south of Chiang Rai. To get here, hop on one of the regular buses that run from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai or Phayao