Cover picture: Wat Huay Pla Kang
Even from a distance we can see a huge, beautiful statue on a hill
The closer we get, the more beautiful the view!
Guan Yin is a goddess and important figure in Buddhism. She stands for compassion and mercy.
She is appreciated for protecting all living beings without prejudice and with infinite kindness.
Guan Yin means „observer of voices“ and stands for those who hear the suffering of living beings and show them compassion.
Next to the statue is a white Thai-style temple and a Chinese pagoda
People with health impairments (or lazy walkers) can use the Hello Kitty transport service that operates on the site!
The nine-storey pagoda impresses with its magnificent decorations and architectural influences from the Lanna period
Right next to the complex is the „Wat Huay Pla Kang Hospital“, which offers free health services for disadvantaged population groups
The path up to Guan Yin Temple is decorated with impressive Naga snakes
The mythological snake creatures are regarded as protective spirits and can often be found in sacred places - like here at Wat Huay Pla Kang!
A prayer mat is laid out in the entrance area. Striking pillars support the statue, which is now enthroned right above us.
The temple visit is free, but the elevator ride to the top costs 40 baht per person.
Before going upstairs, visitors can buy lucky charms or mala jewelry (prayer necklaces and bracelets made of beads).
Four employees in traditional Chinese costume politely bid us farewell on the way up before the elevator doors close.
On the 25th floor, we see an impressive wall art of figures and natural elements that radiate pure purity and aesthetics!
All the rooms are decorated with amazing sculptures and small mirror ornaments.
The art extends over two floors, the last of which can be reached on foot via a staircase.
At the top, the temple offers a fantastic view of Chiang Rai and the surrounding area!
If you are spontaneously hungry after visiting the temple, you can treat yourself to a delicious Pad Thai for a WHOLE 20 baht (≈ 53 cents)!
We hope the pictures inspire you to visit the temple yourself one day & see the beauty of the goddess Guan Yin live!
Costs
Free of charge
Opening hours
Daily 07:00 - 21:00
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Falsely known as the „Big Buddha of Chiang Rai“ embodies Wat Huay Pla Kang a huge statue of Guan Yin - the Chinese goddess of mercy; and is therefore not an image of Buddha. Behind the walk-in statue is a unique construction concept for a temple that combines spirituality, purity and aesthetics.
The temple is located about 8 kilometers outside the city center in a rural area. The respected monk Phra Ajarn Phob Chok had the impressive building erected on a hill in 2005. The 69 meter tall statue by Guan Yin (in Thai: „Chao Mae Kuan Im“) is easily recognizable in many places in and around Chiang Rai.
The plant is not only a spiritual place for devout Buddhists, but also a Center for people in need. Among other things, this place includes an orphanage that is financed entirely by donations and a hospital that offers free health services for disadvantaged people. Entry to the temple is free of charge, However, the monks are happy to receive a small donation to benefit social projects and temple conservation. Only the elevator ride to the top of the statue costs 40 Baht per person - This small fee is worth it, as the top floor offers a great view of Chiang Rai and the surrounding mountains!
Architecturally, the white temple shines with elements from the Lanna period such as decorations and artistic paintings in the Chinese-Buddhist style. Next to the main statue there is a nine-storey Chinese pagoda and a traditional Thai temple. We were most impressed by the staircase that leads up to the entrance of the statue and is decorated with huge, eye-catching Naga snakes is decorated. These are found in many sacred places in Thailand and serve to protect the temple.
Every year, over 500,000 visitors to this place - probably also because the grounds are spacious, quiet and not as crowded as other well-known temples in the region.
Tip:: A visit to Wat Huay Pla Kang is particularly worthwhile at sunset!
Places of interest in the vicinity
Map
More Chiang Rai highlights
Choui Fong tea plantation
The Choui Fong tea plantation is located in the north of Thailand, just under an hour's drive from Chiang Rai. This picture-book location is a popular excursion destination for all nature and tea lovers and should not be missed on any tour of northern Thailand! Due to the altitude, the fields in the north are ideal for growing various types of tea such as green and black tea. With a cultivation area of over 1,000 rai (= 1.6 square kilometers), the Choui Fong plantation is one of the largest tea producers in the whole of Thailand.
White Temple
Wat Rong Kung, better known as the White Temple, is a magnificent work of art combining traditional Thai architecture with a white façade and hundreds of thousands of mirror ornaments that glitter in the sunlight and symbolically reflect the wisdom of Buddha. This spectacle of light and spirituality is truly unique in Thailand. With over one million visitors a year, the temple is now one of northern Thailand's most famous landmarks and a must-see attraction in Chiang Rai!
Blue Temple
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) is one of the most visited temples in northern Thailand. Its unique design with a bright blue exterior façade and golden decorations attracts over a million visitors every year. In Thai culture, the colors stand for purity, wisdom and the divine. The murals inside also shine in magnificent shades of blue and purple. The highlight of the Blue Temple is the large seated Buddha in the main temple hall (Viharn), whose posture symbolizes the moment of enlightenment, inner peace and harmony.
Black House
The Baan Dam Museum, better known as the Black House, is another art project in the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai. Contrary to expectations, this is not just a single house, but a huge complex with more than 40 individual buildings and some very bizarre exhibits. The exterior façade of the houses is uniformly kept in a dark color scheme (predominantly black and dark brown), which gave rise to the nickname "Black House".
