The golden standing Buddha
Blessing the town.
BerryJ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yakuzakorat — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yakuzakorat — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yakuzakorat — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Manoonp — CC BY-SA 4.0
A temple on the top of a small hill west of Nan, the best place to see the town and the whole valley. At the summit's edge stands a large golden standing Buddha, one hand raised towards the town as if blessing it, with an old Lanna stupa and a prayer hall behind. From the terrace around the statue the view stretches over Nan's rooftops, temples and river and the rice fields to the blue mountains enclosing the valley. On early mornings in the cool season mist fills the valley with temple spires rising from it, and sunset here is one of the town's finest sights. Entry is free. Visitors drive to the top or climb a long stair of about three hundred steps guarded by serpent sculptures. Modest dress is expected: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off inside the halls. The finest months are November to February, cool and clear; March and April bring smoke from hill burning. Come half an hour before sunset, then head down to the town's night market. It pairs with Wat Phra That Chae Haeng on a sunset round, one on each side of town.
Blessing the town.
Nan and its mountains.
In the cool season.
On Khao Noi hill, about 2 km west of Nan town
Yes, a paved road reaches the top; the long stair is for those who like the walk.