Wat Huay Pla Kang
Wat Huay Pla Kang
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
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  • FoodTraveler_theworld
    Bangkok, Thailand4,025 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    White stunning marble temple in Chiengrai city
    This is one of top temples in Chiangrai city. The architecture is splendid with the mix of Chinese Guan Yin Statue, dragon stairs, white marble Buddha and Thaj style architecture. However, due to a lot of tourist (some days), you may not feel impressed and feel the serene and calm.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 20 October 2023
  • James I
    New York City, New York575 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Make Your Way to the Top
    A small but quaint temple inside a giant buddha offers some great views from the top. Can get a bit crowded and hot at times, but there are cars to take you to the top of the hill to save some energy. Nice to visit if you are in the area experiencing the other temples as well.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 February 2024
  • PC
    Singapore, Singapore36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit, large bodhisattva statue
    This temple is near to White Temple and worth a detour. There is a very large statue of the bodhisattva Guan Yin. The temple is located on top a small hill. If you’re not up to climbing the steps, there is a free shuttle service at the side (near the car park) which brings you all the way to the top. For a small fee, you’ll be able to take the lift right to the top inside the bodhisattva’s head. There is a lot of fans instead and offers a clear view of the surrounding area.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 12 June 2024
  • Darth_Vaider
    Scotland, United Kingdom333 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing!
    This is an amazing place to go. Pictures just cannot capture the sheer size of this. Easy to get to by car, reasonable amount of parking. We only managed to go at night, but it was so quiet and great for pictures.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles540 reviews
Excellent
311
Very good
182
Average
40
Poor
6
Terrible
2

j1954g
Tetbury, UK3,272 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Most visitors coming by plane will see this relatively modern temple from the air when arriving at, or departing from, Chiang Rai Airport, and it's well worth a visit from the town - just a short songthaew ride (the driver will wait for the duration of the visit).

We went a couple of times - once, just before sunset, and the next day, in the early morning. The light is good at these times, rather than in the middle of the day. On the second visit (the morning one) there were literally hundreds of monks at the temple; the contrast of the orange robes was stunning against the white temple structures and the blue sky.

There are quite a few stairs to climb in order to reach the foot of the large figure (of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion) but I think there is also a small road which winds around the the back of the figure. One can then take a lift up the interior of the figure to the top. I am not a great one for heights so "passed" on this, but did climb three flights of stairs in the pagoda, which gives a good view of the Guanyin.

Best not to show too much affection in the temple grounds; I saw a couple hugging and kissing on the flight of steps in front of Guanyin, who were screamed at by a local woman: "This is a SACRED place!"

Entrance is free.

Entry is free
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wingfield73
Chiang Mai, Thailand1,011 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
This is quite a place and the centrepiece is in fact the huge white statue of the Goddess of Mercy. There is a lift to the top and fine views of the city from the diadem in the head of the Goddess. Don't miss the many pure white sculptures inside the head either - their quality is excellent. Lift charge is 20 THB for Thais; 40 for foreigners but my pink Thai ID card got me in at the local price! A free shuttle bus will take you there from the car park.
Written 6 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vratin Shah
Mumbai, India1,304 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
The Wat Huay Pla Kang is a Big Complex made in Chinese style. The complex is divided in three parts, a big goddess, the Wat and the pagoda. The parking area is huge and one can walk or use free shuttle service to visit the Big Goddess building. Please note, it is not Big Buddha, but some goddess from Chinese mythology. There is a fee to access the lift & visit to top of the Buddha. The inside is well built and architecture in Chinese style. The Music in background is pleasant & calming. The second part, the Wat. Also, there is a hall which offers free food to all including the locals and tourists. Our guide advised us to try the food, all the food was vegetarian and okay in taste. Lastly, the Pagoda, where the wooden goddess is located on base floor and one can take stairs to reach top floors.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EHinOz
Woy Woy, Australia878 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Huay Pla Kang Temple is another must see in Chiang Rai. The Big Buddha is seriously impressive and so is the adjacent pagoda, the latter most beautifully crafted. Less famous than either the White or Blue temples, Huay Pla Kang is definitely worthy of a visit.
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SueAbleitinger
Johannesburg, South Africa25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We saw this temple from the airplane while coming in to land at Chiang Rai and it was already impesssive.
We took a taxi to our hotel and on the way did a stop-over at this temple. What an experience. A beautiful white Kwanyon Phusa temple, amazing row of serpents lining the stairs on either side and the few over the area is stgunning. I will go back to visit this temple the next time I visit Chiang Rai
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Uncut
Neusaess, Germany46 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
As that temple does not necessarily require an entrance fee, it is recommended to visit this place.

Seeing the size of the goddess of mercy might be spectacular for one or the another, but primarily it is a good spot to make some pictures. This counts for almost every temple, though.

You have a great view from the top and also get the chance to visit “the top” of the statue. I am not quite sure what to expect above because you will be charged extra 40 Baht per person, if you want to go upstairs. Alternatively - that is what we have read - you are able to go upstairs by yourself for free. However, this option has been disabled for the time being.

If in Chiang Rai: get your bike, drive around and take some photos.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charlie_vincent
8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Friends
Good place to come and watch the sunset, sat on the platform behind the giant goddess statue for this which gave great views over the mountains. You can go up inside the statue to the top in an elevator however this was closed when we visited. After the sunsets then the temple is lit up and looks very beautiful. Worth a stop.
Written 18 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PamCanuck251Preston
Chorley, United Kingdom98 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We were on motorcycles heading north out of Chiang Rai and decided to make a slight detour to see this, very glad we did. Good, safe parking for the bikes. A bit hot in our boots climbing the various staircases but worth the effort. Didn't bother with the lift (40thb) to go up the Buddah head as we had a long day ahead of us but the view was good from the terraces. Would suggest an early start if you want good photos as the light soon gets harsh.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PC
Singapore, Singapore36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
This temple is near to White Temple and worth a detour. There is a very large statue of the bodhisattva Guan Yin.

The temple is located on top a small hill. If you’re not up to climbing the steps, there is a free shuttle service at the side (near the car park) which brings you all the way to the top.

For a small fee, you’ll be able to take the lift right to the top inside the bodhisattva’s head. There is a lot of fans instead and offers a clear view of the surrounding area.
Written 12 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

i_buckley
Warrington, UK309 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
If you’re in the area it’s worth a quick stop. It’s a new temple that I feel was more built to impress tourists with the large goddess statue than a religious site. Also like other temples no dress code enforced. It’s worth a visit though and if you are prepared to climb the steps then great views.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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