Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang is another attraction of Lampang Province. The temple, located slightly off the main routes and away from cities, is characterized by a peaceful atmosphere and unusual objects. Due to its location, it does not attract crowds of tourists, but it is still worth visiting if you have the opportunity. So what makes this place so special?
Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang – an important point in Lampang Province
The temple complex is relatively young compared to other similar sites in Thailand. In 2006, Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang was established as a third-class royal monastery on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the accession of Monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej to the throne. The most impressive sight here is Phra Maha Chedi Phutthakhaya, a gigantic 53 m high stupa, although other buildings and statues also attract attention. Before I move on to presenting them, I will provide a handful of useful information.
Location, access and opening hours
Location
The temple is located approximately 72 km northeast of Lampang city in the Ban Huat subdistrict of Ngao district. Road No. 1 leads there towards Phayao and Chiang Rai.
Access
If you want to get there, you have to do it on your own – private car or songthaew. This second type of vehicle is easily available in the city of Lampang. However, there is no public transport in the form of buses or trains to this place. In addition, there are no tuk-tuks in Lampang, which limits the options for travel. Therefore, when traveling to these areas, it is good to take this factor into account.
Opening hours and entry cost
The temple is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free.
There is a spacious free parking lot on site, which is very convenient for people traveling by car.
Let me just mention that there is a dress code when visiting Buddhist temples. Shoulders and knees must be covered. You should avoid wearing tops, tank tops, shorts, etc. It is also good if the clothing does not have holes and is not made of transparent materials.
Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang – what can you visit there?
Phra Maha Chedi Phutthakhaya
I have already mentioned this stupa before, so I will expand on the topic a bit. It is an object that stands out from others. This pagoda is an exact replica of the stupa that can be seen in the Indian Mahābodhi temple – the same size, appearance, and ornamentation. It was made of brownish-gray sandstone, and its construction took several years. The foundation stone was laid in 2012, and the works were completed in 2016.
The interior also looks beautiful. It is very spacious and spotlessly clean. There are many images of Buddha, deities, and saints here. The three statues of the Enlightened One in the Maravichai attitude, which can be seen from the entrance, are very nice. The quiet atmosphere is conducive to meditation.
It is worth taking a walk around the pagoda because there are statues there, and the views are stunning. Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang is located on a hill, and you can admire the surrounding area.
Golden Phra Ubosot Sasanothai
A few hundred meters from the pagoda, there is the Ordination Hall, whose appearance resembles a combination of Lanna and Burmese style. The golden decorated roof looks impressive. Especially if the sun is shining and the light reflects off the roof, which creates a wonderful effect. The interior, just like in the stupa, is spacious and quiet. There are also plenty of Buddha images here.
The area around the Ordination Hall is visually pleasing. A garden with paths and colorful plants makes this building look like something out of a fairy tale.
Other facilities in Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang
In the temple area, apart from the stupa and the Ordination Hall, there are many other interesting points. The intention was to build equivalents of four places that are directly related to the most important destinations of Buddhist pilgrimages.
The first one is the stupa described above, and the next ones are Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sarnath. In each of these corners of the complex, there are characteristic replica objects related to the history of the Buddha. It was in these cities that the most important events related to the Enlightened One took place.
In addition, there are the Muchalinda Lakes – small reservoirs with statues of Buddha in a sitting position protected by a snake-like creature. In Hindu mythology, these creatures are nagas. It was Muchalinda, the name of the Snake King, who protected the Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.
Wat Chong Kham Phra Aram Luang – summary
It is worth visiting this attraction when planning a trip to the Lampang province in Thailand. This is an opportunity to see something different when it comes to the country’s temple architecture. The quiet surroundings are an additional advantage, and the views make the trip even more interesting. It is a mountainous region, so there is no shortage of beautiful landscapes. This combination will definitely make your visit satisfying.
Feel free to read other articles about interesting places in Lampang Province ⇒ in this section.
