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SUKOTHAI & CHIANG RAI: - 15 to 28 December 2016

 Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai

Sukhothai, Sawankholok, Phrae, Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Uttaradit
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Locations/Landmarks Section: Religious
Name Ref. Era District/Province Location Date visited Rating/Comment
Wat Sawang Arom Worawihan 16E not stated Sawankhalok, Sukhothai Province Google Map 18 Dec 2016 a beautiful distinctive Buddha image in the old assembly hall (E,3,20m)
Wat Phai Lom 16E not stated Sawankhalok, Sukhothai Province Google Map 18 Dec 2016 (E,2,10m)
Wat Jed Yod 16F Rattanakosin Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 temple of seven peaks (spires), built in 1844 by a Buddhist monk named Brakrubakuntha Kunthawungso....upgraded to a third grade Royal temple in 1978 (E,3,20m)
Wat Phra Kaew 16F Lanna Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 the most revered temple in Chiang Rai known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha....the magnificent emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, was discovered in 1434 after the spire was struck by lightning....the present emerald Buddha, Phra Yok was made from jade imported from Canada(E,4,30m)
Wat Phra Sing 16F not stated Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 temple used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing, now enshrined in Chiang Mai....special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen (E,4,20m)
Wat Klong Wiang 16F 15th century Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 temple dating back to 1432 displaying Lanna-style at its best....noteworthy are the colourful guardian statues offering protection to the city according to Lanna belief with elephants in the back and the "No Killing Area" warning at the entrance....temple consists of an assembly hall, contemporary chedi and scripture hall (E,3,20m)
Wat Ming Meuang 16F 13th century Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 small temple housing the spirit of the city (ming meuang) in an exquisitely carved and decorated Lanna-style, almost Laotian....it dates from 1262, built during the reign of King Mengrai the Great (1239-1311) (E,4,20m)
Wat Mung Muang 16F pre 13th century Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 impressive Lanna-style assembly hall while outside sits a large pot-bellied Buddha image....it is assumed that a temple had existed here since before the foundation of the city....there is a remarkable story that during WWII, bombs were dropped on the city; of the ones that fell on the temple, none exploded (E,3,20m)
Wat Rong Khun 16F 1998 near Chiang Rai Google Map 21 Dec 2016 arguably the most impressive structure in northern Thailand, better known to foreigners as the White Temple, it is a contemporary, unconventional, privately-owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple....was designed and built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat (M,5,2h)
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong 16F pre 13th century Chiang Rai Google Map 22 Dec 2016 temple contains what is believed to be the oldest holy relic, even before King Mengrai founded Chiang Rai....from this location King Mengrai decided on the location for his new city and likely built the chedi at the same time to house the holy relic (E,4,30m)
Wat Rong Suea Ten 16F 2005 Chiang Rai Google Map 22 Dec 2016 temple gets it’s name, (suea=tiger), from the beasts that roamed here when the area was a wilderness....the monastery was established in 2005 in 6 acres of land and is adorned with exquisite blue and gold (E,4,30m)
Santikhiri Pagoda 16F under construction in 2016 Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province Google Map 23 Dec 2016 new construction above the village of Santikhiri, formerly Mae Salong, has recently been named as Phra Boromathat Chedi (E,4,30m)
Wat Phrathat Doi Tung 16F 10th century Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province Google Map 24 Dec 2016 built in the 10th century with two subsequent restorations in the 13th century by King Mengrai of Chiang Rai and in the 20th century by the revered monk Khru Ba Siwichai....one of the twin Lanna-style chedis is believed to contain the left collarbone of Lord Buddha (M,4,30m)
Phra Borommathat Putta Nimit Chedi 16F unknown south of Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province Google Map 26 Dec 2016 a chedi built on the site of three ancient chedis afording remarkable views of the Mekong River and beyond (E,4,20m)
Wat Phra Khao Pan 16F early 17th century on a much earlier religious site Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province Google Map 27 Dec 2016 temple with the ruin of an important chedi with a square chamber and bell-shaped stupa....built in the period of Phaya Luang of Chiang Saen about 1615/16 but on the site of temple claimed to be built in 761 (E,3,15m)
Wat Phra Si Mahathat Worawihan 16F 16th century Pitsanulok Google Map 28 Dec 2016 also known as Wat Yai, a first class royal temple, an honour granted by the king....well known for its remarkable Buddha image known as Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, considered one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand....the temple was built in 1482 after the war between the Sukhothai and Lanna kingdoms....the ornate viharn contains beautiful paintings relating to King Naresuan who was born in Phitsanulok (E,5,1h)