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One Million Bottles of Beer on the Wall

Look closely at this Buddhist temple in Khun Han, Thailand. Notice anything unusual? It's constructed of thousands of beer bottles. Buddhist monks used the discarded bottles to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple, also called the "Temple of a Million Bottles." Click through the gallery to see more pictures.

Beer Bottle Temple

    Look closely at this Buddhist temple in Khun Han, Thailand. Notice anything unusual? It's constructed of thousands of beer bottles. Buddhist monks used the discarded bottles to build the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple, also called the "Temple of a Million Bottles."

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    The monks used bottles to construct their entire complex -- about 20 buildings in all. So far, the complex includes the main temple, a crematorium, prayer rooms, a water tower, a restroom for tourists, and several bungalows where the monks live.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    Altogether, the monks have used about 1.5 million beer bottles in their construction.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    Does that shade of green look familiar? The green bottles are Heinekens and the brown bottles used to hold Chang, a Thai beer.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    A base of concrete holds the structures together.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    The Buddhist monks at the temple began collecting used bottles in 1984. They say that as long as people keep donating bottles, they'll keep building with them.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    Every effort was made not to waste any part of the bottles, as seen on this ornate staircase. Even the mosaics of Buddha were made out of beer bottle caps.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    The monks say they like to build with bottles because they're easy to clean and allow light in.

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    Visitors are welcome at the "Temple of a Million Bottles."

    aimforawesome, Flickr

    Consuming alcohol is forbidden in Buddhism, but the monks say they see no problem with recycling these beer bottles.

    aimforawesome, Flickr



Recent Comments

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15 comments

Ercuan67 08:49:29 AM May 23 2009

It's great to see that trash can become something very unusual and beautiful!

Animal2605 01:27:19 PM Mar 08 2009

I know of a house near a place called Yankee Springs outside of a town Hastings MIch. It is made of many different kinds of bottles. Has been there for many years unless something happened to it. I moved to AZ nearly 30 yrs ago, so its hard to tell. I did make some puns about the house and had a old friend of mine nearly rolling from them.

Komenyay 12:52:33 PM Mar 08 2009

I've had the pleasure of visiting several of the Thai temples made from bottles and other "disposables". Beautiful works of craftsmanship. Would something so unique be allowed today in the U.S.? No way. Too many "codes" to wade through. Unless of course, you're an "artist", in which case you can get away with anything; even crap and waste of resources.

SSMRTNUP 12:09:32 PM Mar 08 2009

BTW, . . I love the Temple . . . It took a lot of TALENT to create . . .

SSMRTNUP 11:49:38 AM Mar 08 2009

THAT WAS 18 YEARS AGO . . . I have now graduated to the COMPUTER GRAPHICS method. . . When I bought my first computer system with all the necessary programs and hardware it cost me $13,000.00 which I paid for the day I ordered it. . . . PROBLEM, . . I didn't even know how to turn it on !!! . . . I learned it from the ground up, start to finish and today I'm so good at it that I conduct TRAINING CLASSES for others who want to get into the business. . . I teach them EVERYTHING from where to get their equipment and software at wholesale prices to how to operate the DESIGN PROGRAMS, INSTALL THE VINYL, ETC. . . . All of it !!! . . . It is the most rewarding thing I've ever done, . . . AND I CREATED MY CAREER FROM NOTHING BUT " ONE GOD-GIVEN TALENT " . . . I'm not bragging, . . I'm just telling you what YOU can do TOO. . . . and, . . There's no time like the present to GET STARTED !!! . . .

SSMRTNUP 11:48:26 AM Mar 08 2009

P.S. - After buying the paint and brushes, I drove around and stopped at businesses asking if they had anything I could do for them until later in the day I saw a blank white sign board leaned up against a building. . . I stopped and asked the fellow there what he intended to do with it, . . . He said he needed the word " P I Z Z A " Painted on it. . . . I said I could do it, . . He gave me the job, . . I finished before nightfall, . . He paid me $100. . . I have NEVER invested another cent into the business which was not EARNED in ADVANCE by the Business. . . THAT WAS 18 YEARS AGO . . . I have now graduated to the COMPUTER GRAPHICS method. . . When I bought my first computer system with all the necessary programs and hardware it cost me $13,000.00 which I paid for the day I ordered it. . . . PROBLEM, . . I didn't even know how to turn it on !!! . . . I learned it from the ground up, start to finish and today I'm so good at it that I conduct TRAINING CLASSES for others who want to get

Cag1092 11:46:17 AM Mar 08 2009

Wow how neat a building made out of beer bottles thats kinda cool!

SSMRTNUP 11:27:29 AM Mar 08 2009

Think about it !!! . . . You know of ONE THING which you can say, with confidence, "I CAN DO THIS ONE THING AS WELL AS ANYBODY AND BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE " !!! . . . " T H A T " , . . Whatever it is, . . Is YOUR TALENT, . . and your passport to FREEDOM and SUCCESS. . . And, . . The more you DO it, . . The better you will get at doing it. . . . Pretty soon you can truly refer to yourself as an EXPERT in that field of endeavor. . . " KNOW THYSELF " . . . NOT , . SNOW THYSELF !!! . . . Develop and practice your talents and you will be FREE. . . You will, . . AT LAST, . . have complete control of your own life and livelihood . . . Now, . . Be confident, . . . Learn how to SELL YOURSELF and you're home free !!!! . . . This is God's intent and purpose for us all . . . GOD BLESS YOU and GOOD LUCK. . .

SSMRTNUP 11:26:39 AM Mar 08 2009

Every single one of us has been given (free) at least ONE talent, by God Almighty, which will make us a good living for our entire life through if we recognize it and develop it to perfecrion. . . I always knew of several talents which I had but I ignored them until I was in my mid 40's when I went one day to a supply store and bought 2 cans of paint and 2 brushes ($100) and started doing free-hand graphic artistry, logos and lettering for businesses on their Signs, Vehicles, Storefronts and Window Glass. . . I became so popular that I couldn't keep up with the demand. . . Believe me, . . It's a great feeling to get up every morning knowing that you can earn yourself anywhere from $100 to $500 during that day, . . Especially by doing something you LOVE to do. . . Think about it !!! . . . You know of ONE THING which you can say, with confidence, "I CAN DO THIS ONE THING AS WELL AS ANYBODY AND BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE " !!! . . . " T H A T " , . . Whatever it is, . . Is YOUR TALENT, . . a

Olan5Tops 11:01:29 AM Mar 08 2009

Calico Ghost Town, right next to Barstow California, has a small house made of bottles too. It's about one hundred years old. This temple is prettier than the one in Calico Ghost Town, but is just as remarkable. You can see it at this link: http://www.totalescape.com/destin/california-towns.php?tid=060

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