White Buddha, Wat Phra That Mae Yen
วัดพระธาตุแม่เย็น
A huge white seated Buddha on a hillside east of town; climbing over three hundred steps gives views across the whole Pai basin, and it is a popular sunset spot.
Wat Phra That Mae Yen sits on a small hill about 2 km east of Pai town. At its summit is a white seated Buddha over 20 metres tall, visible from many points in town. To reach the giant Buddha, you climb more than three hundred steps from the temple gate at the base, flanked by naga railings, or you can ride a motorbike up the side road to the summit car park. The terrace around the Buddha has superb views: westward over Pai town, the rice fields and layered mountains. At dusk the sun sinks behind distant hills, making it the most popular sunset spot in Pai apart from the canyon. An old pagoda stands behind the giant Buddha. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Getting there: about 20 minutes' walk from the town centre to the base, or 5 minutes by bike. Tips: start climbing 40 minutes before sunset to leave time for photos. The steps have limited lighting after dark, so bring a flashlight. Note: shoulders and knees must be covered in the temple area, and do not sit on or climb the statue.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Pai Walking Street
- Pai Land Split
- Wat Nam Hu
- Pai Canyon
- Tha Pai Hot Spring
- Pai Memorial Bridge (Tha Pai WWII Bridge)
- Santichon Village
- Pam Bok Waterfall