Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Th Chaykawan; daylight hours)
Phayao's most important temple is thought to date
back to 1491, but its present structure was finished in 1923. The immense prayer hall
holds the Phra Jao Ton Luang, the largest Chiang Saen-era Buddha statue in the country.
Standing 18m high, legend has it that the construction of the statue took more than 30
years. It's not the most beautiful or well-proportioned Buddha image in Thailand, but it
certainly is impressive.
The ordination hall that is elevated over Kwan Phayao features graceful modern wall
paintings. Also on the grounds of the wát is a Buddhist sculpture garden that includes
gory, larger-than-life depictions of Buddhist hell.
The temple is about 2km from the northern end of Th Chaykawan.
Phayao Cultural Exhibition Hall
( Th Chaykawan; admission 40B; 8.30am-4.30pm)
This is a two-storey museum packed with arte-
facts and a good amount of information on local history and culture in English. Standout
items include a unique 'black' Buddha statue and a fossil of two embracing crabs labelled
'Wonder Lover'.
The museum is next door to Wat Sri Khom Kham, about 2km from the northern end of
Th Chaykawan.
MUSEUM
Wat Li
( off Hwy 1 Asia; temple daylight hours, museum 9am-3pm)
Just off Rte 1 opposite the turn-
off to Phayao, Wat Li features a small
museum
with a decent variety of items from the Chi-
ang Saen era.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Wat Phra That Jom Thong
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
An attractive
chedi
on a wooded hilltop 3km from the
( off Th Chaykawan;
daylight hrs)
centre of town.
Sleeping
Huean Phak Jum Jai
( 0 5448 2659; 37/5-6 Th Phrasart; r 600B; )
Rooms here are spacious, clean and decked out
in handsome wood. The sign says 'Home Stay & Guest House'; it's just off Th
Chaykawan, a short walk from the waterfront.
GUESTHOUSE
$
