Wat Hiranyawat (Wat Mueang Daeng Noi)

History & Significance

Wat Hiranyawat, originally known as Wat Mueang Daeng Noi, is a Buddhist temple located in Koh Chang Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. The temple was officially established on January 24, 1972, and received its Wisungkhamsima (consecrated boundary) on September 8, 1988. The temple stands as a symbol of unity and community spirit, which is beautifully reflected in its main bamboo-woven Buddha image, crafted from thousands of bamboo strips bound together by local devotees.

Highlights & What to See

• Phra Singh San Chana Man: The main highlight of the temple is the largest bamboo-woven Buddha image in the world, depicted in the Chiang Saen Sing Nueng style. It has a lap width of 9.9 cubits and a height of 19 cubits. This magnificent image took 99 days to complete, utilizing 39,000 pieces of bamboo coated in lacquer for a beautiful, shiny finish. It was completed on November 7, 2009.
• The Sacred Tunnel: Beneath the base of Phra Singh San Chana Man, there is a small tunnel where visitors can crawl through to make merit and ward off bad luck.
• Phra Lak Lae: Located inside the viharn, this Burmese-style Buddha image was brought from Bagan, Myanmar. It is famous for its unique optical illusion where the Buddha's eyes and face appear to follow viewers from whichever angle they look.
• Phra Indra on Erawan Sculpture: A stunning sculpture of the deity Indra riding the multi-headed Erawan elephant stands proudly in front of the temple's viharn.

Visitor Information

Wat Hiranyawat is open daily from 07:00 AM to 07:00 PM. Admission is free. Visitors are advised to dress respectfully, covering shoulders and knees, as is customary when visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand.

How to Get There

The temple is located in Koh Chang Subdistrict, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province. It is easily accessible by car, and parking facilities are available on-site. For inquiries, you can contact the temple at 081-998-1741.