Simple but photogenic
Published/Last edited or updated: 28th January, 2016
The most photoworthy feature is a spectacular old library or scripture hall, a two-storey construction with a brick and plaster coated base and a teak upper floor with gold-painted decoration. The main worshipping hall is also simple but attractive while there’s an ancient square-based chedi in the well-kept grounds too. The uncluttered temple compound is filled with manicured lawns and indeed Khuang – as with Khuang Muang next to Wat Phumin – means open space or plaza, so the grounds originally formed a town square or market area. In keeping with other town wats, the thoughtfully provided English-language information panels provide conflicting information and while one claims no founding date is known, another says to assume it was built around 1518. Both agree that it was restored from a semi-ruinous state in 1911 by a prince of Nan. The exterior displays Lanna features while the interior, with a seated bronze Buddha, also shows Tai Lue influence.
Reviewed by
Mark Ord
Based in Chiang Mai, Mark Ord has been travelling Southeast Asia for over two decades and first crossed paths with Travelfish on Ko Lipe in the early 1990s.
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