Northern Thailand - Thailand - page 601

Legend has it that in 1434 lightning struck the temple's chedi , which fell apart to reveal
the Phra Kaew Morakot, or Emerald Buddha (actually made of jade). After a long journey
that included a lengthy stopover in Vientiane, Laos, this national talisman is now en-
sconced in the temple of the same name in Bangkok.
In 1990, Chiang Rai commissioned a Chinese artist to sculpt a new image from Canadi-
an jade. Named the Phra Yok Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai Jade Buddha), it was intentionally a
very close but not exact replica of the Phra Kaew Morakot in Bangkok, with dimensions
of 48.3cm across the base and 65.9cm in height, just 0.1cm shorter than the original. The
image is housed in the impressive Haw Phra Yoke, the walls of which are decorated with
beautiful modern murals, some depicting the journey of the original Phra Kaew Morakot,
as well as the elaborate ceremony that saw the current image arrive at its new home in
Chiang Rai.

Tham Tu Pu & Buddha Cave
( daylight hours) If you follow Th Winitchaikul across the bridge to the northern
side of Mae Nam Kok, you'll come to a turn-off for both Tham Tu Pu and the Buddha
Cave.
Neither attraction is particularly amazing on its own, but the surrounding country is
beautiful and would make an ideal destination for a lazy bike ride.
Follow the road 1km, then turn off onto a dirt path 200m to the base of a limestone cliff
where there is a steep set of stairs leading to a main chamber holding a dusty Buddha
statue; this is Tham Tu Pu .
Continue along the same road for 3km more (the sign says 'Buddha Images Cave') and
you'll reach Buddha Cave , a cavern by Mae Nam Kok containing a tiny but active Buddhist
temple, a lone monk and several cats. The temple was one of several destinations on a vis-
it to the region by King Rama V in the early 20th century.

BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Wat Phra Singh
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BUDDHIST TEMPLE

(Th Singhaclai; daylight hours) This temple dates back to the late 14th century, and its
oldest surviving original buildings are typical northern Thai-style wood structures with
low, sweeping roofs. The main wí·hăhn (sanctuary) houses impressive wooden doors
thought to have been carved by local artists, as well as a copy of Chiang Mai's sacred
Phra Singh Buddha.