Sights in Chiang Saen
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A
Chiang Saen National Museum
Near the town entrance, this museum is a great source of local information considering its relatively small size.
reviewed
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Wat Phra That Pha Ngao
Located 3km south of town in the village of Sop Kham, this Buddhist temple complex contains a large prayer hall built to cover a partially excavated Chiang Saen-era Buddha statue. The walls of the brick building are partially covered by stucco relief murals that have been painted, giving the surface the impression of polished wood or copper. There is a beautiful golden teak hŏr đrai, and a steep road leads to a hilltop pagoda and temple with views over the area and the Mae Nam Khong.
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Wat Phra That Chom Kitti & Wat Chom Chang
The remains of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti and Wat Chom Chang can be found about 2.5km north of Wat Pa Sak on a hilltop. The round chedi of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is thought to have been constructed before the founding of the kingdom. The smaller chedi below it belonged to Wat Chom Chang. There is nothing much to see at these chedi, but there is a good view of Chiang Saen and the river.
reviewed
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Wat Pha Khao Pan
Inside the grounds of Wat Pha Khao Pan, a living wát near the river, stands a magnificent Lanna-period chedi. The large, square base contains Lanna-style walking Buddhas in niches on all four sides. The Buddha facing east is sculpted in the mudra ('calling for rain') pose, with both hands held pointing down at the image's sides – a pose common in Laos but not so common in Thailand.
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B
Wat Pa Sak
About 200m from the Pratu Chiang Saen (the historic main gateway to the town's western flank) are the remains of Wat Pa Sak, where the ruins of seven monuments are visible in a historical park . The main mid-14th-century chedi combines elements of the Hariphunchai and Sukhothai styles with a possible Bagan influence, and still holds a great deal of attractive stucco relief work.
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C
Wat Chedi Luang
Behind the museum to the east are the ruins of the Buddhist Wat Chedi Luang, which features an 18m octagonal chedi in the classic Chiang Saen or Lanna style. Archaeologists argue about its exact construction date but agree it dates to some time between the 12th and 14th centuries.
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