Phayao Temple Features 108 Buddha Statues on Hillside
Wat Phra That Chom Sila in Phayao features 108 golden Buddha statues arranged down a forested hillside, each standing 3.5 meters tall in meditation pose. The temple also houses an ancient Lanna pagoda accessible by a naga staircase offering
Wat Phra That Chom Sila, located in Ban Tham Subdistrict, Dok Kham Tai District, Phayao province, is a striking Buddhist temple set within the Ban Tham Forest Park amid forests and mountains. The temple's standout feature is its 108 golden Buddha statues in meditation pose arranged sequentially along the hillside. Each statue, rendered in Indian artistic style, measures approximately 2.5 meters across the chest and 3.5 meters in height, painted in brilliant golden yellow. When viewed from below, the statues appear in descending rows along the slope amid trees and boulders, creating a distinctive and breathtaking scene unique to this Buddhist park. The placement of the statues along the hillside gives the area a natural setting where visitors can walk along designated paths to view the Buddha images while enjoying the forest atmosphere and learning about Buddhist teachings. Besides the 108 statues, the temple also houses an important Buddha image enshrined in the ordination hall, which is rendered in the Payao craftsman style. Behind the ordination hall at the mountain's summit stands Phra That Chom Sila, an ancient Lanna-style pagoda reached by a 69-step naga staircase. From the top, visitors can pay respects at the pagoda and enjoy expansive views of Dok Kham Tai District and surrounding areas.
