“Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan”

When visiting Lampang, you must visit the highlight “Phra Yai Daibutsu” at Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan, which is prominently located on a hill with beautiful views and is another spot to watch the morning mist in Lampang. “Lampang” is another tourist destination in the North. There are many tourist attractions, such as paying homage to Phra That Lampang Luang, riding a horse-drawn carriage around the city, and seeing the cute Thai elephants at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, etc. Another highlight that you must visit at least once is the “Phra Yai Daibutsu” located at “Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan” in Tambon Pa Tan, Amphoe Mae Tha, Lampang Province. According to information from the temple, the history of the Phra Yai Daibutsu is that one night in 2556, the abbot had a dream in which he saw the Phra Yai Daibutsu from Wat Kotokuin in Kamakura, Japan, floating in the sky and then set down on the top of Doi Phra Chan, with a voice saying “Build it for me, I will come and stay with you.” The following year, the abbot decided to build the Phra Yai Daibutsu. The Buddha image is made of 2 mm thick copper sheets, created using the metal-forging technique, molded by hand. The structure is made of steel, 14 meters wide and 23 meters high. The foundation stone was laid in June 2014 and completed in September 2021. The Daibutsu Buddha or Luang Pho To is similar to the Daibutsu Buddha at Kotoku Temple in Kamakura, Japan. It is a Buddha image sitting in the Dhyana Mudra (meditative posture), wearing a robe covering the chest in a balanced manner. The face is leaning forward, the eyes looking down. The Buddha image is blue-green because of copper rust or the chemical reaction of copper with the weather. The Daibutsu Buddha image stands out amidst the green forest of Doi Phra Chan. Many people who have visited and taken pictures of it say that the atmosphere is like being in Japan. After paying homage to the Great Daibutsu Buddha, there are many other important places on the top of Doi Phra Chan, such as the white pagoda with a golden spire and umbrella. Or the original Phra That Doi Phra Chan. Next is the “Phra Phuttha Ong Phatom” temple, a small temple but beautifully built. At the back, you will find another beauty of the temple, which is the golden Bodhi tree pattern painted on the black temple ground, making the Bodhi tree stand out beautifully. Inside the temple is the Buddha statue named “Somdet Phra Phutthasikhithosaphonyan Phichitmaravikrom, Pathom Samma Samphothiyan, Si Phra Chan Banphot” enshrined in a golden glass pavilion. Inside the temple is also decorated with beautiful and graceful gold-covered carvings, especially the carvings above the door on the opposite side of the principal Buddha image, which are in the form of a Naga serpent coiling around the white Phra That, which is considered extremely exquisite. In front of the temple is a wide courtyard for viewing the scenery. In this area, you will see the archway connecting to the Naga stairs that stretch down to the temple. You can also see the view of Mae Tha district and the vast rice fields with the backdrop of intricate mountains. In the morning, tourists usually come to watch the sun gradually rising from the horizon on the east-right side, casting golden light onto the scenery in front of them. Or if anyone visits on a day with good weather, they will also be able to see the magnificent sea of ​​fog from the top of this mountain. But today, the weather is clear and the sunlight shines on us to see the beautiful Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan. In addition, at the bottom of Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan, there are many other interesting spots, such as the “Phra Chulamani Si Phothiyan Chedi”, which enshrines “Phra Wisutthep”, with exquisite decorations inside the chedi, and the “Sala Thammawimok”, which enshrines a large white Buddha statue. “Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan” is located in Village No. 5, Pa Tan Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province. From Lampang city, take Phahonyothin Road (Highway No. 1). When you reach the Mae Tha intersection, turn left onto the Mae Tha-Lampang Road (Highway No. 1036). When you reach Ban Mae Pung, turn right and follow the signs to Ban Pa Tan. Follow the signs to Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan. From Lampang city, it takes about 30-40 minutes. The temple opens from 06.00 - 17.00 hrs. During the tourist season (around November - February), the temple is open every day, no holidays. Tourists who visit the temple are advised to park their cars in the parking lot below the temple, as there is limited parking space on the top of the mountain and the path up is narrow and steep. The temple provides a shuttle bus service to and from the temple all day long (on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the temple does not allow private cars up the mountain. Only public buses are available). Information about Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan Address: 207 Moo 5, Pa Tan Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lampang Province Coordinates: Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan, Lampang Opening and closing hours: 06.00 - 17.00 hrs. #Lampang #Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan #Big Buddha Daibutsu #Nature #Lampang attractions #Northern travel #Beautiful temples #Northern attractions #Travel plan giveaway#Nature attractions#Spiritual attractions#trip