Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( off Rte 1129; daylight hours)
Located 3km south of town in the village of Sop Kham,
this Buddhist temple complex contains a large prayer hall built to cover a partially excav-
ated Chiang Saen-era Buddha statue. There is a beautiful golden teak
hŏr đrai
(manuscript depository) and a steep road leads to a hilltop pagoda and temple with views
over the area and the Mekong River.
Wat Chedi Luang
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
( Th Phahonyothin; daylight hours)
The ruins of the Buddhist Wat Chedi Luang feature
an 18m octagonal
chedi
in the classic Chiang Saen or Lanna style. Archaeologists argue
about its exact construction date but agree it was built sometime between the 12th and
14th centuries.
Wat Pa Sak
HISTORICAL SITE
( off Rte 1290; historical park admission 50B; 8.30am-4.30pm Wed-Sun)
About 200m from the
Pratu Chi-
ang Saen
(the historic main gateway to the town's western flank) are the remains of Wat Pa
Sak, where the ruins of seven monuments are visible in a
historical park
. The main
mid-14th-century
chedi
combines elements of the Hariphunchai and Sukhothai styles with
a possible Bagan influence, and still holds a great deal of attractive stucco relief work.
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti &
Wat Chom Chaeng
( off Rte 1290; daylight hours)
The remains of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti and Wat
Chom Chaeng can be found about 2.5km northwest of town on a hilltop. The round
chedi
of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is thought to have been constructed before the founding of
the kingdom.
BUDDHIST TEMPLES
Wat Pha Khao Pan
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
( Th Rimkhong; daylight hrs)
Inside the grounds of this living wát near the river stands
a magnificent Lanna-period
chedi
. The large square base contains Lanna-style walking
Buddhas in niches on all four sides. The Buddha facing east is sculpted in the
mudra
('calling for rain') pose, with both hands held pointing down at the image's sides - a pose
common in Laos but not so common in Thailand.
