Visit Wat Saeng Kaew Pothiyan (Chiang Rai)

This temple located in Mae Suai, about fifty kilometers from Chiang Rai city, is probably one of the most impressing of this Northern Thailand province. Built at the initiative of monk Kruba Ariya Chart in 2006, Wat Saeng Kaew Phothiyan is a huge complex still under construction (during my last visit in June 2018) but with already many elements. You first arrive in a large paved courtyard with a staircase that goes up to the ordination hall (wiharn) through a giant door. Once upstairs, you reach a central round with imposing statues in the center and around and behind is the wiharn with gold and red murals. It houses a beautiful golden Buddha. You might think that the visit stops there but it would be a mistake because behind the ordination hall is anbig green open space with large statues of Ganesh, a monk walking, what seems to me to be Guanyin and her multiple arms and some other large statues. Behind, a staircase goes up to a platform with huge golden statues representing venerated monks from northern Thailand. And behind a structure still under construction (June 2018).
This temple is truly impressive, filled with small details and decorations that make it fascinating to visit. Even if you have seen many temples during your trip to Thailand, this one should not leave you unmoved. And until now, if Thai tourists can be numerous here, very few foreigners go there.

No admission fee
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Wat Saeng Kaew Pothiyan 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