Wat Huay Pla Kang

Wat Huay Pla Kang in Chiang Rai, also known as “Big Buddha of Chiang Rai”, is known for its enormous white statue of Guanyin. The recently built temple sits on a hill in the rural area North of Chiang Rai town.

Wat Huay Pla Kang is a mix of Thai Lanna and Chinese styles. On the grounds are a huge statue of Guanyin, a nine tiered pagoda and a Thai temple.

Surrounded by green hills, Big Buddha of Chiang Rai is a great place to watch the sunset. Visit early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the serene, peaceful atmosphere.

A free shuttle bus from the car park takes visitors to the base of the Guanyin statue.

Giant Guanyin statue

The temple is known for its enormous white statue of Guanyin, often referred to as “Big Buddha of Chiang Rai”. The image represents Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.

The statue sits of top of a mound. A flight of stairs lined with Chinese dragons leads to the image. Seated on a pedestal of Lotus flower petals, the Guanyin statue rises 90 meters into the air.

Guanyin

Guanyin is the “Chinese Goddess of Mercy”. She is the bodhisattva of compassion, a bodhisattva being anyone on the path to becoming a Buddha. Sometimes Guanyin is depicted having a thousand arms. Having a thousand arms and a thousand eyes enables her to help more people at the same time.

Lift to the top

Once inside the Guanyin statue, visitors can take a lift 25 floors up to the top. The walls of the top floor are covered with white stucco depictions of Guanyin, mythical creatures and trees.

Great views

Looking out from the 25th floor, you will have great views of valleys, mountains, forests and Chiang Rai town.

9 Tiered pagoda

On top of another mound stands a nine tiered Chinese style pagoda. The stairs leading to the pagoda is lined with ferocious looking Chinese dragons. At the bottom of the stairs stands a large bowl where people burn incense sticks.

The platform on which the pagoda stands is surrounded by small golden chedis.

Visitors can climb the stairway to the top of the pagoda. On each of its nine floors are statues of the Buddha, Guanyin and monks, carved out of wood. From the top floor there are great views of the Guanyin statue.

Buddhist temple

The only Thai style building on the grounds of Wat Huay Pla Kang is the viharn, the assembly hall. The building is guarded by large Naga serpents on either side of the stairs. The all white viharn has a multi tiered roof adorned with sculptings of mythical creatures.

The interior walls are adorned with depictions of Buddhist stories. The principal Buddha image and a smaller one in front of it face the entrance.

Food & drinks

On the grounds are stands where you can get food and snacks, drinks, coconut ice cream and souvenirs.

Dress code

As in any Thai temple, please dress modestly, meaning no revealing clothes. Take off your shoes before going inside a building.

Opening hours

Wat Huay Pla Kang opens daily from 7 am until 9:30 pm.

Entrance fee

Entrance is free.
There is a 40 Baht fee for the lift to the 25th floor of the Guanyin statue.

Location

Wat Huay Pla Kang or “Big Buddha of Chiang Rai” is located about eight kilometers North of the center of Chiang Rai town in the Ban Huay Pla Kung area of Muang district, Chiang Rai.

Getting there

To get there, hire a songthaew or tuk tuk in Chiang Rai town. The driver will wait for the return trip to the city. Agree on price and duration before getting in.

Wat Huay Pla Kang

“Big Buddha” of Chiang Rai
Name : Wat Huay Pla Kang
            “Big Buddha of Chiang Rai”
Date : Early 21th century
Location: Ban Huay Pla Kung
                Chiang Rai