The tree of life
Glowing in the dark.
This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · Naikhumklao — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Naikhumklao — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Naikhumklao — CC BY-SA 4.0
A modern temple on Phu Phrao hill near the Lao border, famous for a white and gold Lanna-style ordination hall whose back wall carries a huge tree of life painted in luminous paint that glows green in the dark after sunset, drawing visitors from far away to see it. By day the tree looks like a golden painting on the wall; in front of the hall a terrace on the hill's edge looks over the forests of Laos and the valley, its floor laid with big white swirl patterns. About an hour after sunset the paint starts to glow, clearest roughly between seven and eight in the evening on clear nights. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Modest dress is expected: shoulders and knees covered, and shoes off inside the halls. It is a place of worship, so keep your voice down and do not use flash, which spoils photos and disturbs the monks. It is a few kilometres from the Chong Mek border crossing and about an hour and a half from Ubon, so make it the last stop on a Pha Taem day, arriving just before sunset.
Glowing in the dark.
White and gold.
From the hill's edge.
Phu Phrao hill, Sirindhorn district, near the Lao border, about 80 km east of Ubon
About an hour after sunset, clearest roughly between seven and eight in the evening on clear nights.