Also known as “The White Temple” for its striking white colour and the pieces of glass in the plaster that catch the sunlight, making the temple glitter, Wat Rong Khun is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Thailand. It stands outside the town of Chiang Rai and attracts a large number of both foreign and local visitors. The white colour of the plaster signifies the purity of the Buddha while the sparkling pieces of glass are a symbol of the wisdom and teachings of the Buddha. A strong earthquake damaged the temple badly in 2014 but it is being restored and in the process of being further expanded to eventually include a hall to enshrine Buddhist relics, the monks’ living quarters, an art gallery, and a meditation hall.