Phrathat Mon Phrachao Lai

[Lone Rider]

On my way back from yet another mapping trip to Laos I was passing through Mae Kachan and although the weather was not very good, I decided to make another attempt to get up to the Phrathat Mon Phrachao Lai on the hill to the west of Mae Kachan.

The view of the Phrathat during better weather - picture copyright by Videomaster​

I had tried to do this last year in September but at that time I only found the dirt road going up. At that time I chickened out as the track was slippery because it had been raining quite a bit. This time I tried to find a more northerly access road and, although Garmin did not show a road, I found that actually there was a quite good but steep paved road going up all the way to the top. While going up it started raining so the views were not as good as I had hoped for but at the end of my visit the rains stopped and the sky cleared a bit.

The paved road up to the Phrathat with the dirt road I tried last year south of the paved road.

Not sure what the stupa is all about - it is still under construction - but to me, being quite cynical about all these grand religious construction activities, it seems to be one of these things where "face" gets the better of "traditional Buddhist common sense"

Wat Phra Chao Luang at the lower end of the steep road up to the Phrathat

On one of the sides there is a small door which leads to the inside of the Phrathat with lots of Buddha statues lined up along the sides

The view from the Phrthat over Mae Kachan and surroundings

 

[Ally]

Fabulous Auke, I have traveled past this a few times this last month & it looked more defined each time.

I shall now take another look at this incredible landmark.

Ally

 

[Captain_Slash]

Is this the same place? http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...n-back-chiang-mai-new-temple-26-3-2011-a.html

 

[Lone Rider]

Is this the same place? http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...n-back-chiang-mai-new-temple-26-3-2011-a.html

Yes, that is the same one. Had been passing it many times and every time I thought I should have a look but never made it up there. Very nice views all around if it is clear. From the parking place if you go up the stairs you will see the small door (rather an opening - about 1.5 m high) in the base to get to the inside with all the Buddha statues. Below the stupa there is also another area which is walled/glassed in and there were quite a few other things to see (from the parking keep a bit to the right and walk up a tiles ramp) but I kept that for another time now I know that to get there is quite easy.

 

[bsacbob]

Passed it a million times and never ventured up there, must make time to have a poke around.

Thanks Auke.

 

[KTMphil]

It's one of those places (like Phayao) that you always pass when you're on a mission to get somewhere, great to see some detail there.