Wat Bang Riang, Phang-Nga

  Wat Bang Riang, in the Phang Nga region

Wat Rat Upatam commonly known as "Wat Bang Riang" is located in the north-east of Phang Nga City, in Thap Put District.

Situated on Khao Lan Mountain and comprising the largest temple pagoda in all of Phang Nga, Wat Bang Riang not only offers breathtaking views but is also perhaps one of the most impressive and intriguing temples in the area.

With statues of five-headed Naga snakes on both sides of its entrance guarded by statues of five-headed Naga snakes that stand along the path, Wat Ban Riang temple is fascinating from the first moment you arrive. The temple consists of three main areas, each with a different purpose: the first houses the cremated remains of the Buddha's relics; the second is Chedi Phutthathambanlu, the main central temple; and the third, which can be seen in the distance from the main temple, is the statue of the goddess Guan Yin, which is associated with mercy and compassion.
Once inside her courtyard, you will discover a circular corridor with 60 gold Buddha sculptures, each with a hole for coins.

Discover Wat Bang Riang from the sky...

Phang Nga, is not only a bay close to Phuket, with paradisiacal islands and breathtaking panoramas... it is also and above all, a province located north of Phuket, mountainous, hilly, green, in other words... superb, and this region deserves to be visited.

Our trip of this day takes us to the top of a beautiful mountain where I invite you to discover the Wat Bang Riang located at about 220 meters altitude.

On aperçoit sur cette photo aérienne, sur la droite et en contre-bas du Wat Bang Riang la statue de la déesse Guan Yin

  The arrival at Wat Bang Riang...

From the staging area, a cement walkway of about 100 meters with two dragons on either side, takes you to Wat Bang Riang which dominates the whole plain from the top of this hill.

A terrace with balcony

Before entering the temple, on the right side, you can go to the balcony which will give you a magnificent view of the goddess Guan Yin and the great Buddha nested and emerging from the forest.

A rather exceptional view.

 The Goddess Guan Yin

From the edge of this terrace, there is a beautiful view of the site of the statue of the goddess Guan Yin. A large staircase leads to the site 

A Chinese form of the deity Avalokitesvara, Guan Yin is one of the most popular boddhisattvas of the Buddhist religion, particularly in the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) stream.

Originally a male figure, she was definitively feminized in Japan and China by popular belief. The embodiment of compassion, Guan Yin is the protector of humans in danger or in pain.

Her name means "he or she who considers the sounds or calls" (Guanyin), or more precisely "he or she who considers the sounds of the world" (Guanshiyin).

She answers the call of her name and protects those who invoke her from black magic, fierce beasts or monsters and other dangers. 

A woman who wishes to give birth can ask for her help to become pregnant. 

Many Buddhist followers choose this deity as Yidam, that is to say as an object of meditation.

 A Great Buddha dominating the jungle


From the path leading to the temple, you can see in the distance a large golden Buddha lost in the middle of nature and mountains. This great golden Buddha and his 7 najas point out all his surprising greatness in the middle of the jungle. 

On foot you can walk down the long stairs to the goddess Guan Yin and from there continue to the big Buddha which is about 250 meters away. If you are motorized (car or scooter) a small road will take you there in a few seconds. You will find this small road near the sationing area, opposite the entrance to the temple.

An aerial view of the great Buddha which is a few minutes away from Wat Bang Riang.

Wat Bang Riang Temple seen from the park

Of all the temples I have been able to visit in this country, I must admit that my greatest attention is always held back by the roofs, which are often magnificent. Whether in Bangkok, in the North, in the South... I particularly like this style of interlocking roofs and it is always a pleasure to photograph them and show them here.

Let's go inside...

As often happens in the temples of this country, maintenance work is often carried out, which is mandatory given the rapid deterioration of the buildings due to bad weather and humidity during the rainy seasons, namely the monsoon. To my great disappointment, I was treated to a whole collection of metal scaffolding that I managed somehow to avoid by using certain angles.  

The Wat Bang Riang...

Next to Wat Bang Riang, you will find the statue of Guan Yin, goddess of mercy, accessible on foot . then the large statue of Buddha a little further.
You can see on this map the 3 locations.


(You can click on the map to enlarge the image)


Location

 Places visited South Region...

Note that you will find a second beautiful temple to visit in the surroundings: Wat Bang Thong (Krabi Province) at 25km from this location, i.e. about 30 minutes.