Another place no one misses on going while visiting Chiang Rai is Wat Huay Pla Kang. We visited it in morning as we did not have that much time but heard from most of the people that viewing sunset from there is spectacular.
There are three temples in the complex, a huge image of Gua Yin, a Thai viharn and a chedi.
It is said that there was a temple here once. The Abbot of the temple, Phra Arjan Pobchoke constructed the chedi in 2007.
The ground apart from chedi has a huge statue of Kuan Im and a Thai style viharn. Since the place is not wheel chair accessible, there is a free shuttle bus which takes visitors from car park to the base of Kua Yin statue.
Chao Mae Kuan Im or Gua Yin:
The statue of Boddhisattva Gua Yin or Kua Yin sits on top of a small hillock. The white image is 90 meters high and sits on a white lotus.
beautifully made naga form the balustrade of stairs
bells
Devotees praying for blessings from Kua Im Boddhisattva
Behind the image is the elevator, which takes you up to 24th floor.
ticket for going up the elevator
image in front of elevator on 24th floor
Once you get out of the elevator, you see yourself surrounded by trees, images all in white stucco.
images of Kua Im
a dragon on a wall
image between two elevators
a white peacock
Alongside, are many mythical animals.
two dragons encircle pillars
The soothing music of Buddhism, Om Mani Padme Hum resonates in your ears even after you have left the place.
urn for burning joss sticks
gold leaves on Buddha image
Viharn Thai temple:
Between the huge statue of Gua Yin and Pobchoke Dhamma Chedi stands the Thai style viharn.
The multi-tiered viharn is white with reddish brown roof.
The entrance is guarded by huge naga on its either side.
entrance to temple
Indra on Erawan or Airawat, three headed elephant
Brihaspati (God of Jupiter) on deer
huge white image of Buddha
On the side, Gautam Buddha leaves the palace, leaving his wife and son
reclining Buddha, five of his famous disciples saddened at the prospect of their Master leaving
Hongsa or hansa
Phop Chok restaurant
This place just behind the viharn serves free bowl of noodle soup.
side view of viharn with hongsa
top of viharn as viewed from chedi
rear view of viharn
close up
Pobchoke Dhamma Chedi:
The conept of this temple was the initiative of the abbot of the temple, Phra Arjan Pobchoke. The construction started in 2007. The temple has 9 storeys or levels, each level getting smaller than the one below it. Each level has an image of either Buddha or Kua Im.
The 49 meter high pagoda is a mixture of Chinese and Lanna art. The vibrant colors show a mix of Thai, Chinese but predominantly looks very much like a Chinese temple. The nine storey pagoda is topped with a bell-shaped Thai styled structure.
There are small dragons on all sides at all levels.
water in bowls to put on the image
prayer to the Goddess is written on the board and a place to burn incense sticks
Instead of customary naga, the stairs to pagoda are guarded by vibrant colored Chinese dragons.
Dragons extend the whole length of balustrade
Male dragon Female dragon
I had seen dragons earlier guarding the wat, but had never seen them or noticed that close to understand that they have a male and female dragons on either side of entrance.The male dragon, in left of picture has a beard whereas the female on the right is without a beard. Other features are all the same.
Ground floor:
Huge image of Kuan Im is seen on entrance.
All around the chedi are small golden stupas of different types with Chinese zodiac animals written in front.
Doesn't it give an impression of smoke coming out? It is only a mist
on entrance
The image of Gua Yin is in a blessing posture. It is made of sandalwood. There are bags of rice which people give out in charity.
First floor:
Visitors can climb up a narrow and steep staircase. On every level, there is a wooden image of either Kua Im or Buddha. This floor has many images of Kua Im in different postures. But, as you go to upper level, there is space only to keep one image.
another sitting one, blessing posture
stairs going up to higher levels
Pang giving blessings, standing posture. A girl cleaning the image.
relaxing sofas for visitors
Second floor:
There is single wood image here of Luang Pho Sothon on lotus.
Buddha image, Luang Pho Sothon on lotus
Third floor:
single image of Buddha in a sitting posture
Fourth floor:Kua Im with thousand arms
Sometimes Kua Im is shown as having many arms. This signifies that she can help many people at the same time.
Fifth floor:
Somdet Phra Buddhacarya above and Luang Pu Thuad sitting below
Somdet Phra Buddhacarya was one of the famous Buddhist monk in Thailand. He possessed magical powers, he wrote magical chants which are widely used by Thais.
Luang Pu Thuad was also a revered Buddhist monk who lived and practiced in Thailand.
Sixth floor:
Buddha under Muchalinda, the naga who formed an umbrella and protected him
Seventh floor:
Katyayana saint or the Bodhisattva Maitreya who gives success and wealth
Eighth floor:
Kuan Im sitting on lotus
view from above of forests, mountains
another view, building with red roof is clinic
the above stupa says " year of the monkey". All those born in the year of monkey pray in front of it.
different stupas for year of birth around the chedi
bells all around
Pop chok restaurant
enjoying a bowl of soup and noodles
The temple undertakes a lot of charity. A hospital and a school building was under construction when we visited.
It is one of the must see place in Chiang Rai. People usually visit this place for a spectacular view of sunset from here.
Timings: 7:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Entrance: free
40 Baht if you want to go up to the 24th floor.
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