The golden stupa
About 55 metres, Lanna style.
Setthapongp — CC BY-SA 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0 · กสิณธร ราชโอรส — CC BY-SA 4.0
The most sacred temple in Nan province, on a small hill east of the river south of town, founded in the fourteenth century and believed to hold a Buddhist relic. Its landmark is a huge golden stupa in northern Lanna style, about fifty-five metres tall, clad in gilded copper plates that shine in the sun and ringed by a low wall and golden parasols. A long stair climbs to the temple, flanked by two giant mythical serpents with rippling bodies whose heads begin at the foot of the hill. The prayer hall beside the stupa has low, tiered northern roofs and finely carved doors. People from across the province gather here for its annual festival in spring. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Modest dress is expected: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off inside the halls. By local custom women do not enter the area immediately around the stupa, so follow the signs. The finest months are November to February, cool and clear; March and April bring smoke from hill burning. Come before sunset, when the gold turns orange and the hill looks out over the fields around. It is a short ride by bike or taxi across the bridge.
About 55 metres, Lanna style.
From the foot of the hill.
Since the fourteenth century.
On a hill east of the Nan river, about 3 km south-east of Nan town
Yes, but by local custom women do not enter the area right around the stupa; follow the signs.