Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple , is no ordinary Buddhist temple. Whereas most temples have a history dated back many centuries, the construction of this ornate white temple only started in 1998 and was completed in 2008 . The temple is designed by renowned Thai visual artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who often refers to it as an offering to his religious belief and his country. Located in Chiang Rai Province, the White Temple is now a national landmark, and one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand.