Wat Jed Yod, (or Wat Jet Yot) located a short way south of the city center (in fact on the same road as the city’s bars and nightlife), is similar to the temple of the same name in Chiang Mai in that it has a stupa topped with seven spires, though the one in Chiang Mai is a far more evocative structure.
This temple is home to a massive, fully gilded bronze image of a seated Buddha set in a lavishly decorated red-lacquered viharn with multi-colored painted teak pillars.
Wat Jet Yot was founded in 1844 and in 1978, received the honor of a listing as a third grade royal temple. The exterior of the viharn is as spectacular as its interior, sumptuously carved and gilded with two magnificent nagas guarding its steps. The frontal veranda of the viharn contains a wooden ceiling with an unusual painted fresco of astrological design.
Its gleaming white stupa is modeled on that of the famous temple of the same name in Chiang Mai, a national monument built to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council held in 1477. It is based on the seven-peaked design of the ancient Mahabodhi temple at Bodhgaya in India, traditionally considered to be the site of the enlightenment of the Buddha (‘jed yod’ means ‘seven peaks’ in Thai).
In a smaller hall of worship is another well-crafted, gilt-bronze Buddha image, backed by a stunning fully-gilded shrine.
Getting There
It’s easy to walk from anywhere in the town center.
Need to Know
- What is it? A Chiang Rai temple with a huge Buddha image.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00 daily.
- Entrance fees: none.
- Address: Jed Yod Road
- Where: just south of the center of Chiang Rai city.