Visit Wat Huay Pla Kung (Big Buddha) (Chiang Rai)

Often mistakenly called Chiang Rai's Big Buddha for its large white statue that is actually a representation of the goddess of Mercy, Wat Huay Pla Kung is a quite recent temple. It is located 6 kilometers out of Chiang Rai city and quickly became a must-see place for any visit here. The temple is also nicknamed the "9-tier temple" for its 9-storey pagoda that you can climb to the top for a view of the surroundings. A staircase with impressive dragon heads goes up inside the apgode where another Guan Yin image in carved wood is installed in the center. Between the large white statue perched on a small hill and the 9-tier pagoda, there is a white hall.

The staircase leading to the large Guan Yin image was still under construction when I visited the place (December 2017) but small buses took visitors there from the car park. Otherwise, you can easily reach it by wlaking on the road that goes behind the statue. Note that visitors can climb inside the statue by an elevator and reach in its forehead. There, the interior has pretty white stucco carvings and you can take a look at the view through an opening. The most interesting view is, I think, the one you have from the left eye of the statue.

No admission fee
Entrance fee for going inside the statue: 40 THB
I advise you to combine this visit with that of Blue Temple .

Wat Huay Pla Kung (Big Buddha) is a temple and when you visit a temple in Thailand there are some rules to know and follow:

• Dress properly (knees and shoulders should be covered)
• Take off your shoes when entering the buildings
• Be quiet
• Don't hug or kiss
• Don't point your feet to Buddha's image
• Don't smoke