A statue of about 69 m
The white goddess of mercy.
Chainwit. — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0 · Chainwit. — CC BY 4.0
A temple on a green hill north-west of town, famous for a giant white statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy in Chinese tradition, rising some sixty-nine metres, roughly the height of a twenty-storey building, and visible from far away. Beside it stand a white nine-tiered Chinese-style pagoda and an ornate Thai prayer hall. A lift inside the statue climbs to the head, where small windows give sweeping views over the valley, fields and surrounding mountains, in return for a small donation. The nine-tiered pagoda has golden decoration and dragons carved on its columns. Entry to the site is free, and it opens in the daytime and early evening. Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off before entering the halls. It is less crowded than the White and Blue Temples; come before sunset to photograph the statue in golden light. An hour is enough to wander and ride up.
The white goddess of mercy.
Valley and mountains from the windows.
Carved dragons and gold.
On a hill about 6 km north-west of Chiang Rai town
Yes: it differs with its Chinese character, huge scale and view from the top, and is far calmer. Pair it with the Blue Temple on a short trip.