 Wat
Chorm Sawan
is located in town and features one of the Burmese - style temples built
during the reign of King Rama V under the direction of a Burmese
architect. It took 5 years to build and contains Buddhist inscriptions.
It is considered the most beautiful structure in the Lanna region.
Besides it's structural beauty, it contains 2 rare and unique holy
artifacts. There is the ivory Buddhist bible (teachings) which is carved
in Burmese on 16 sheets of ivory. There is also a Buddha basket made of
bamboo, and covered with sheets of gold. This may be the only one of its
kind left in the country.
Wat
Luang and Museum
is located in town, and was built at the same time that the town was
founded. Wat Luang means big or grand temple. A cultural center, on the
grounds are several revered ruins like the holy pagoda, and a venerable
Buddha statue. This Buddha is graceful and built in the Chiang Saen
style. There is also a museum containing many valuable and holy relics
and antiques such as Buddha images, porcelain objects, and ancient
swords and armor. The museum is open only Saturday from 09.00 A.M.
- 04.00 P.M.
 Wat
Phrathat Chohae
is the most famous temple in Phrae. It is located in Muang District on a
hill outside of the town, about 9 kms. to the east. It is currently
being renovated by the Fine Arts Department. Also of great interest is
Wat Phrathat Chorm Jaeng, an ancient temple which is sometimes called
"the temple of predawn" and is located on Doi Tong hill, about 12 kms.
away from the town center. It is one of the oldest temples in the
province and was built in 1331 B.C.
Wat
Sa Bor Kaew
is situated on Namkue Road near the moat of the town. This temple has an
exotic and beautiful pagoda. The marble Buddha image is also in Burmese
style. It is a very splendid temple.
Pha
Tab Jai House
Located in town is the biggest-Thai-style house constructed with over
130 teak logs in 1976. Each log is about 300 years old. Inside are
elaborate northern-style woodcarving.
Open daily from 08.00 A.M. - 4.00 P.M. with charge of 10 Baht per
person, Tel. (054) 511008.
 Vongburi
House
is locted in town, and was built in 1897 by Phra Buritah who was the
past lord of Phrae for presentation to his daughter: Chao Sunantha and
son in law : Luang Pongpiboon. The house is now still in family hands.
It is a teak 2 - storey Thai - European style fine architectural house.
An outstanding feature is elaborate woodcarving decorations both inside
and outside. These woodcarving were originally built with the house.
Inside the house are the family's old descended household articles e.g.
furniture, silverware, earth ware, and important documents. The house
was awarded "an excellent conservation of the year 1993" by the Society
of Siam Architecture under Royal Patronage and published in famous
magazines e.g. Tourism Authority of Thailand Magazine, Sawasdee,
Heritage Home of Thailand etc.
The house is open to the public daily from 8.30 A.M to 5.00 P.M. with a
permission charge of 20 Baht/person.
 Pong
Sri Village
is located on highways No. 101 near the Rong Fong village. It is known
for its extraordinary antique shops and a Batik silk factory.
Rong
Fong Village
is only 6 kms. from town. As soon as you arrive, you can hear the sound
of metal being worked in every home. There are 662 families in Rong Fong
Village, and 90% of the men work as blacksmiths making knives, hand
scythes, picks and spades. Also 95% of the women are seamstress making
pants, and shirts.
Local
Museum
Near the town on Phrae-Sung Men road, in the same area as Baan Fai
restaurant, that museum is a replica of the houses of the people
existing about 100 years ago.
 Tung
Hong Village
This is a village located in Muang district area about 3 kms. away on
highway No. 101. It is renowned for its good quality "Mohom" farmer
shirts in cotton fabric, the favorite local product purchased by
tourists in Phrae.
 Phae
Muang Phi
is regarded as Thailand's Grand Canyon and is located about 18 kms. from
the town on highway 101. Muang Phi (Thai meaning "the City of Ghosts")
is noted for its fantastic rock formations. Some local villagers still
believe that this area is haunted by phantoms. It is a quiet place and
nobody wants to live around here. However, it is well worth a visit for
those who appreciate spectacular natural rock formations. Muang Phi is
actually a shallow depression in the ground where soil erosion has
produced strange chimnet-like shapes that gives
the impression of dwelling on some alien planet. |