Hello everyone. This post, I change the scene from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand with many beautiful and unique temples. And one of all the temples in Chiang Rai is Wat Phra That Doi Wao. Wat Phra That Doi Wao is an ancient temple that is more than a thousand years old and has been renovated. Right now this temple is beautiful and outstanding architecture and sculptures. I want to share and take everyone to see this sacred place in this post.
This journey to Wat Phra That Doi Wao. I go to this temple with my family 2 months ago. Around the mid January. At that time the weather was cool and there was no smog. This trip, I had to drive about 145 kilometers from my house to go to this temple. It took us about 2.5 hours to get to the temple.
The temple is located on a mountain. When we reached the mountain where the temple is located. I had to drive on road over the plateau and mountain road to park in the temple parking. And walk up to the top of the mountain where the temple is located. The stairs leading up have a purple three-headed serpent statue on the railing.
Three-headed serpent stairs leading up to the temple.
This temple is near the northernmost point of Thailand and the temple is close to the border of Thailand and Tachileik, Myanmar. The parking area can see views of Tachileik, Myanmar and Chiang Rai. And the temple's skywalk.
The parking area
Tachileik Myanmar views fram the mountain parking area lookout.
The first highlight when we arrived at the temple was the animal which is the symbol of the temple. It was a large black scorpion statue. In addition to the scorpion statue, there is also the hill tribe statues and a shop on the side.
Large black scorpion statue, symbol of Wat Phra That Doi Wao.
Area of shops and hilltribe statues.
Around the scorpion statue, we can see the view of Tachileik Myanmar and the skywalk too.
Inside the temple, there are also many interesting and beautiful highlights. A purple statue with the head of a serpent and the body of a turtle.
Beside this statue is a large cream color building. Inside this building is the skywalk exit. And inside the building there are also statues of sacred gods of Hinduism. These statues of sacred gods are beautiful.
Next to this cream color building is a buddha image hall (viharn). This cream color buddha image hall (viharn) decorated with purple stucco patterns looks beautiful and has a unique identity that is different from other temples we have visited.
Area front of the buddha image hall (viharn) there is a purple serpent arch, the angel statues, elephant statues, giant statues and the buddha images in the attitude of subduing mara. And beside the buddha image hall (viharn) there are also many angel statues too.
The inside of the buddha image hall (viharn) is purple and beautifully decorated. And there are buddha images and statues of monks.
This temple also has another buddha image hall (viharn), this buddha image hall (viharn) is a large cream color buddha image hall (viharn), decorated with slight gold color patterns. Looks simple but beautiful. The area front of this buddha image hall (viharn), there are large statues of male and female angels too.
The outside of the buddha image hall (viharn) looks simple, but the inside is luxurious and beautiful. And there are many buddha images and various statues.
Important highlights of this temple : The temple's stupa. Wat Phra That Doi Wao has an ancient stupa that is 2271 years old. Built around 296 BE or 247 BC. The importance of this stupa, except being an ancient stupa, Inside this stupa there are Buddha's relics. And the stupa was first restored and built to replace old stupa in year AD 1951 or 73 years ago. And now this stupa is being renovated again. Around the pagoda there are statues of angels, buddha images and serpent statues too.
The skywalk at this temple was only built a few years ago. And this skywalk is another highlight that many tourists are interested in visiting this temple. This skywalk is glass, we can see Tachileik Myanmar and Chiang Rai, Thailand views fram the skywalk lookout. At first my niece was afraid, but after a while the little girl enjoyed it.
In addition, Inside the temple there is also a small castle called Prasat Phaichayon. And a pavilion with many buddha images.
Finally, I'll go on to share the atmosphere of the temple's outdoor courtyard. The temple's outdoor courtyard also has many beautiful statues and decorations.
These are the stories and photos of Wat Phra That Doi Wao I want to share for this post. Invite everyone to see and enjoy my stories and photos. Have a great day. See you next time. Thank you for your support and visiting my post. Bye 🤗
🌏 Wat Phra That Doi Wao is located in Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.
📷 Take photo By Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.