Chiang Rai Attractions

Phra Borommathat Srinagarindra Stit Maha Santi Khiri (Wat Santikhiri Yansangwararam)

Perched gracefully at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level on Doi Mae Salong, Phra Borommathat Srinagarindra Stit Maha Santi Khiri is a magnificent Lanna-style pagoda in Chiang Rai. Constructed to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra (the Princess Mother) on her 90th birthday, the temple offers breathtaking mountain views alongside sacred historic relics. Visitors can pay respects to Buddha relics, the Princess Mother's royal ashes, and her life-sized bronze statue.

About this Place

History & Significance

Phra Borommathat Srinagarindra Stit Maha Santi Khiri is located at Wat Santikhiri Yansangwararam in Mae Salong Nok Subdistrict, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. The initiative to build this sacred stupa began when Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, visited Santikhiri Village and observed that local Buddhists lacked a formal place for religious worship. The stupa was built to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra (Somdet Ya) on her 90th birthday anniversary. Construction commenced in 1989 and was taken under royal patronage in 1990. Designed by M.R. Mitrarun Kasemsri, an architect from the Bureau of the Royal Household, construction was completed around 1994 to 1996. The temple was officially established in 2001 and received Wisungkhamasima in 2002. In January 2013, HRH Princess Siribhachudhabhorn presided over a major restoration survey, leading to active restoration work starting in January 2014.

Highlights & What to See

Standing 30 meters tall on a stepped square base measuring approximately 15 meters on each side, the stupa features an applied Lanna style adapted from the historical Phra That Kopek at Wat Pa Sak in Chiang Saen District. The pagoda comprises three main levels:

1st Floor: Enshrines a life-sized bronze statue of Princess Srinagarindra (Somdet Ya) seated on a royal throne in full ceremonial dress.
2nd Floor: Contains the royal ashes of Princess Srinagarindra.
3rd Floor: Houses sacred Holy Buddha Relics.

Visitor Information

The site is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. Admission is free of charge. Facilities available at the location include parking spaces and restrooms. As this is a sacred religious shrine, visitors are requested to dress respectfully.

How to Get There

The stupa is located on the summit of Doi Mae Salong, approximately 4 kilometers north of Santikhiri Village in Mae Salong Nok Subdistrict, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province.