@CHIANGRAI
Art, Culture and Heritage
Monument of King Mengrai
A bronze statue of King Mengrai is the centre piece of Chiang Rai town. The 13th century king is revered as the founding father of the Lanna Kingdom, and domestic tourists often stop off here to pay their respects. Legend has it that King Mengrai's elephant veered off the trail and discovered Doi Tung and the land where the king would eventually establish his capital city.
Opening Hours: all day
Admission fee: None
Wat Hyua Pla Kang
A Buddhist monumental 9-stories chedi style temple, located in the Rimkok area, known for its spiritual design and its ornamental details. Residing in the temple is an outstanding crafted wooden statue of Guan-Im Bhodisatva; with a soothing surrounding, it’s a must visit place to relax and put yourself at ease on your vacation.
Opening Hours: 07:00 am. – 21:30 pm.
Admission fee: None
The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
It is known among foreigners as the White Temple and it is artistically different from other temples in Thailand.
The temple was built by artist , Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. It is designed in white color with some use of white glass. All the paintings inside the ubosot (assembly hall) have golden tones. The four walls, ceiling and floor contain paintings showing an escape from the defilements of temptation to reach a supramundane state. On the roof, there are four kinds of animals.
Opening Hours: 08:30 am. – 17:30 pm.
Admission fee: None
Wat Phra Kaew
The temple was originally called Wat Pa Yeah or Wat Pa Yah as it was surrounded by a dense yellow bamboo grove locally known as Yeah or Yah. In 1434 the temple’s octagonal Chedi (Pagoda) was struck by lightning and it fell apart to reveal Phra Kaew Morakot, the Emerald Buddha, which was hidden inside it. The temple had been thus called Wat Phra Kaew after the name of this holy Buddha image up until then. In addition, it is also the beneficiary of many donations of important religious art works from members of its parish making merit.
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:30
Admission fee: None
Wat Phra Sing
One of Chiang Rai’s oldest temples, the Wat Phra Singh was built in 1385, a little over a century after the city of Chiang Rai was founded by King Mengrai in 1262. The main structures of the Lanna style temple are the ubosot, the viharn, a chapel containing a footprint of the Buddha and the Kuti or monks living quarters.
The oldest original structure still standing today in Buddhist temples of Northern Thailand is usually the chedi or pagoda. The gold plated Sinhalese style chedi of the Wat Phra Singh stands behind the viharn. It consists of a square base with small shrines on its sides that contain Buddha images and a spiral shaped top.
Opening Hours: 06:00 am. – 17:00 pm.
Admission fee: None
The Golden Triangle
It divides three countries: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. It is a triangle shape by The Khlong River that cuts across Thai and Laos. It is an important area for the economy. Moreover, there is beautiful scenery - especially, you can see the sunrise beneath foggy sea on at dawn. In addition, renting a boat is a famous activity for looking at the landscape and to see their lifestyles.
Opening Hours: all day
Admission fee: None
Oub Kham Museum
There was little awareness among Thai people about their heritage. Khun Julasak Suriyachai, a teacher and an art connoisseur made a big difference. Khun Julasak realized that soon the heritage of northern Thailand only could be seen abroad. Hence, he started collecting northern Thailand's art pieces and founded the Lanna Heritage Conservation Center, the seed of the present Oub Kham Museum. His collection includes valuable antiques from the Lanna kingdoms. The people of the kingdoms developed a similar culture which one
Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 am. - 06:00 pm.
Admission fee: Adult 300 baht, Child 100 baht (Price are subject to change)
Banndam Museum (Black House)
Baan Dam was built by Artist Mr.Thawan Duchanee and is a collection of almost forty monuments which are home to Duchanee’s extensive collection of weird taxidermy and bones. It was a private museum. On the area of more than 100 rai, there are 25 northern-style building where installs of the local arts from the past to present. There are plenty of rooms which exhibit focuses on works of art priceless among the wild animals, such as leather, snake skin leather, buffalo leather, bear, tiger etc.
Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 am. - 17:00 pm.
Admission fee: None
Wat Phra That Doi Wao
Wat Phra That Doi Wao is situated in Mu 1, Tambon Mae Sai, on the hill by the bank of the Mae Sai River. According to history, King Wao of Nakhon Nakkhaphan Yonok built this pagoda in 179 BC to contain the Lord Buddha’s hair relics. It is a great ancient pagoda second to Phra Borommathat Doi Tung.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 am. - 17:00 pm.
Admission fee: None
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao. A place to practice. A small bell-shaped chedi situated on a large stone. The current sanctuary built over the ruins of old temples. On the hill behind the temple. His vision is the Buddhist stupa. Is the point of view of the beautiful surrounding.
Opening Hours: Daily from 08:00 am. - 17:00 pm.
Admission fee: None
Clock Tower
It is a new symbol and the landmark which was designed by artist , Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat, who is well-know thoughout Thailand. It will keep changing colors: orange, pink, green and blue. It has a music show every night, so the tourists always look forward to seeing the show. The show takes about 10 minutes.
Opening Hours: Daily 18:00 pm. or 19:00 pm. or 20.00 pm.
Admission fee: None