Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Kaew is a third-class royal temple situated in the area of 10,640 square metres on Trairat Road in Chiang Rai. It is one of the most renowned temples of city, as it was where the sacred Phra Kaew Morakot had been enshrined since 1444 before it’s been relocated to Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, with few stops at Lampang and Vientiane. Phra Kaew Morakot, better known by foreigners as the Emerald Buddha, is the most sacred sculpture of Thailand and is considered the palladium of the Thai monarchy. The temple now enshrines the Phra Buddha Ratnakorn Navuti Wassanusornmongkhol, roughly translated as “the ultimate blessed jewel-made Buddha image” and usually known as Phra Yok Chiang Rai, which is an official replica of the Emerald Buddha made of green jade brought from Canada and then carved in China. Phra Yok Chiang Rai is intentionally a very close but not exact replica of Emerald Buddha situated inside the Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, its dimensions are 48.3 cm across the base and 65.90 in height, while the original is 48.3 cm and 66 cm respectively. Wat Phra Kaew is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Rai, however it is unclear when the temple was founded. Originally the temple was named Wat Pa Yeah, meaning the Temple in the Golden Bamboo Forest, as it was surrounded by a dense yellow bamboo grove locally known as Yeah. The temple got its current name since 1434, when, according to legend, a lightning struck its octagonal Chedi and allowed the discovery of a Buddha image covered with stucco. The statue was then placed in the abbot's residence, who later noticed that stucco on the nose had flaked off, revealing a green figure inside. The abbot removed all the stucco and found a Buddha image made of a green semi-precious stone, which became known as Phra Kaew Morakot or the Emerald Buddha. At present Phra Yok Chiang Rai is housed in Haw Phra Kaew, Jewel Buddha Chamber, which is a large teak wooden hall, 8 metres in width and 12 metres in length, built in ancient Chiang Saen. The mural traditional paintings on the walls of Haw Phra Yok depict the legend of the Emerald Buddha, whereas the temporary paintings depict the history of Phra Yok Chiang Rai. There are also two paintings of golden and silver Bodhi trees. In addition to the replica of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai boasts other beautiful wooden structures perfectly preserved in the classic Lanna style, including the beautiful Uposatha Hall, namely a Ubosot or Bot that is a consecrated chapel used for the Sangh’s ceremonies. Built in 1890 in Chiang Saen style with 9.50 metres in width and 21.85 in length, it is a nicely carved wooden structure with unique carved doors that was originally used as a Viharn. Uposatha Hall houses the revered Phra Chao Lan Thong, one of the largest and most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand. Known by locals as Phra Chao Lanthong, meaning the million golden Buddha, the big holy image, about 2 meters at the base and 2.80 meters in height, is made of brass and copper, and is believed to be at least 700 years old. Phra Chao Lan Thong was originally housed at Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong in Chiang Rai, then moved to Wat Ngam Muang, and then in its current location in 1961. Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai is also one of the leading educational centers of Buddhist culture in Thailand.
Admission fee & Opening hours: The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Admission is free.
Getting there: Wat Phra Kaew is located on Trairat Road in Wiang sub-district, just 1,2 north of city center, and easy accessible on foot or by songthaew from those who stay already in Chiang Rai.Read More