Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
Thien Mu Pagoda was built in 1601 CE under Nguyen Hoang, the governor of Thuan Hoa province, now known as Hue. Although he swore loyalty to the Le Dynasty in Hanoi, Nguyen Hoang effectively ruled Thuan Hoa as an independent state in central Vietnam. The pagoda has seven storeys and is the tallest in Vietnam, and is often the subject of folk rhymes and poetry about Hue, which was the imperial capital of Vietnam between 1802 and 1945.<br/><br/> Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty between 1802 and 1945. The tombs of several emperors lie in and around the city and along the Perfume River. Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Buddhist monks collect alms—food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it—every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Buddhist monks collect alms—food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it—every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Wat Phra Singh or to give it its full name, Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn, was first constructed around 1345 by King Phayu, 5th king of the Mangrai Dynasty.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand.
Wat Phra Singh or to give it its full name, Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn, was first constructed around 1345 by King Phayu, 5th king of the Mangrai Dynasty.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand.
Founded in 1827 by Phaya Singhanataraj, the Shan ruler of Mae Hong Son, Wat Chong Kham contains a 5 metre Buddha image known as Luang Pho To.<br/><br/> Once one of Thailand’s remotest provinces, Mae Hong Son is now readily accessible by air from Chiang Mai, as well as by a wonderful loop drive through Mae Sariang and back via Pai and Soppong– or vice versa. Singularly isolated, Mae Hong Son is not yet very developed. The townsfolk may be citizens of Thailand, but most are Shan, Karen, Yunnanese Chinese or Hill Tribes. The temples are Burmese in style, and the pace of life amazingly tranquil.
The Order of Cistercians (Latin: Ordo Cisterciensis or, alternatively, O.C.S.O. for the Trappists [Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance]) is a Catholic religious order of enclosed monks and nuns. They are sometimes also called the Bernardines or the White Monks, in reference to the colour of the habit, over which a black scapular is worn.<br/><br/> The emphasis of Cistercian life is on manual labour and self-sufficiency, and many abbeys have traditionally supported themselves through activities such as agriculture and brewing ales.
Matilda of Tuscany (Italian: Matilde, Latin: Matilda, Mathilda) (1046 – 24 July 1115) was an Italian noblewoman, the principal Italian supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy.<br/><br/> She is one of the few medieval women to be remembered for her military accomplishments. She is sometimes called la Gran Contessa (the Great Countess) or Matilda of Canossa after her ancestral castle of Canossa.
Buddhist monks collect alms—food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it—every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Buddhist monks collect alms—food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it—every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.
Buddhist monks collect alms—food prepared by devotees and laypersons who make merit by donating it—every morning in Burma and most Theravada Buddhist countries. This is their only food for the day. Monks do not eat after 12 noon.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.<br/><br/>
Parts of Wat Luang date back as far as the 14th century CE.<br/><br/> Phrae was built next to the Yom River in the 12th century and was part of the Mon kingdom of Haripunchai. In 1443, King Tilokaraj of the neighbouring Lanna kingdom captured the town.
Abiel Abbot Low (February 7, 1811 – January 7, 1893) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, trader and philanthropist who gained most of his fortune from the China trade, importing teas, porcelains, and silk, and building and operating a fleet of reputable clipper ships.<br/><br/> In 1833, Low sailed to Canton (now Guangzhou), China, and started working as a clerk for the mercantile house of Russell & Company, the largest American firm in China and also the leading American opium trading and smuggling enterprise into China, founded by Samuel Russell, and of which Low's uncle, William Henry Low, had been head for some years. In 1837, after four years of learning the intricacies of trading in China, Low became a partner in the firm.<br/><br/> In 1840, he launched his own business in a joint venture with Wu Bingjian, also known as Howqua, a mentor for young Americans in China, and a very important Hong merchant, head of the Canton Cohong and one of the richest men in China. The company, A. A. Low & Brother named for both him and his brother, Josiah Orne Low, rapidly became one of the leading China and Japan silks and teas trading company.<br/><br/> Having made his fortune in China working with Russell & Co, the largest US opium smuggling enterprise into China at the time of the Opium Wars, and shortly after the launch of his business, Low returned to New York. There, he set up his New York headquarters on Fletcher Street, in a building shared with his father's business. In 1849–1850, Low erected the A. A. Low building at 167–171 John Street, now part of the historic South Street Seaport historic area. The firm was situated at its Burling Slip building from 1850 to after the turn of the century.<br/><br/> Low launched his own fleet of clippers, among which were the Houqua, the first streamlined ship, named after his Chinese business partner who had died in 1843, and the Samuel Russell, named after the founder of the mercantile company in which Low had worked as a clerk. Two other of Low's clippers, the Contest and the Jacob Bell, were subsequently destroyed by Confederate privateers during the Civil War.<br/><br/> He is also known for his philanthropy activities. In 1858, he became president of the Brooklyn Female Academy, later the Packer Collegiate Institute, and remained on the Packer board until his death in 1893. He was known to give bonuses to teachers and anonymous scholarships to deserving students. He also contributed to the development of the Brooklyn Library, the City hospital and many other cultural, educational, social and religious enterprises.
In Thai Theravada Buddhism young men are usually expected to ordain into the monkhood at some point in their life. Ordination into the Buddhist monkhood has never implied a lifetime commitment and most men usually only spend a short time in the temple.<br/><br/> Entering the monkhood, even for a short time, is believed to bring great merit to the ordained as well as his parents.
In Thai Theravada Buddhism young men are usually expected to ordain into the monkhood at some point in their life. Ordination into the Buddhist monkhood has never implied a lifetime commitment and most men usually only spend a short time in the temple.<br/><br/> Entering the monkhood, even for a short time, is believed to bring great merit to the ordained as well as his parents.
In Thai Theravada Buddhism young men are usually expected to ordain into the monkhood at some point in their life. Ordination into the Buddhist monkhood has never implied a lifetime commitment and most men usually only spend a short time in the temple.<br/><br/> Entering the monkhood, even for a short time, is believed to bring great merit to the ordained as well as his parents.
In Thai Theravada Buddhism young men are usually expected to ordain into the monkhood at some point in their life. Ordination into the Buddhist monkhood has never implied a lifetime commitment and most men usually only spend a short time in the temple.<br/><br/> Entering the monkhood, even for a short time, is believed to bring great merit to the ordained as well as his parents.
In Thai Theravada Buddhism young men are usually expected to ordain into the monkhood at some point in their life. Ordination into the Buddhist monkhood has never implied a lifetime commitment and most men usually only spend a short time in the temple.<br/><br/> Entering the monkhood, even for a short time, is believed to bring great merit to the ordained as well as his parents.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chedi Luang translates literally from the Thai as ‘Monastery of the Great Stupa’. Construction of the temple began at the end of the 14th century when the Lan Na Kingdom was in its prime. King Saen Muang Ma (1385-1401) intended it as the site of a great reliquary to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Ku Na (1355-85). Today it is the the site of the Lak Muang or City Pillar. The annual Inthakin ceremony occurs within the confines of the temple.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city'), sometimes written as 'Chiengmai or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Phrathat Doi Kham or ‘Temple of the Golden Mount’, is located in Tambon Mae Hia, about 10km south of Chiang Mai Old City, in the lee of Doi Suthep. Temple records claim that the temple dates back over 1,300 years ‘to 687 AD’, during the pre-Lan Na period when the region was inhabited by the indigenous animist Lawa.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Chiang Man (Chiang Mun) was built in 1297 CE and is thought to be Chiang Mai's oldest temple. It was built on the spot which had been used by King Mangrai as a camp during the construction of his new capital city Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Wat Tham Seua, the 'Temple of the Tiger Cave' is built into a cave set in a limestone cliff.<br/><br/> Surrounded by individual monk's residences, this is one of southern Thailand's best-known forest temples.<br/><br/> The main viharn or assembly hall extends into a long, shallow limestone cave displaying various grim reminders of mortality as a counterbalance to worldly desires. At the back of the cave a flight of marble stairs lead up to the 'tiger cave' itself. Within there is a venerated Buddha footprint on a gilded platform and a life-size figure of Ajaan Jamnien, the temple's enigmatic abbot.<br/><br/> The sprawling temple grounds are partly landscaped, and there are two separate stairways leading to a large Guan Yin image (the Mahayana Buddhist version of the Indian sage Avalokitesvara, known generally as 'the Chinese Goddess of Mercy'), and to another Buddha footprint.
Wat Tham Seua, the 'Temple of the Tiger Cave' is built into a cave set in a limestone cliff.<br/><br/> Surrounded by individual monk's residences, this is one of southern Thailand's best-known forest temples.<br/><br/> The main viharn or assembly hall extends into a long, shallow limestone cave displaying various grim reminders of mortality as a counterbalance to worldly desires. At the back of the cave a flight of marble stairs lead up to the 'tiger cave' itself. Within there is a venerated Buddha footprint on a gilded platform and a life-size figure of Ajaan Jamnien, the temple's enigmatic abbot.<br/><br/> The sprawling temple grounds are partly landscaped, and there are two separate stairways leading to a large Guan Yin image (the Mahayana Buddhist version of the Indian sage Avalokitesvara, known generally as 'the Chinese Goddess of Mercy'), and to another Buddha footprint.
Wat Tham Seua, the 'Temple of the Tiger Cave' is built into a cave set in a limestone cliff.<br/><br/> Surrounded by individual monk's residences, this is one of southern Thailand's best-known forest temples.<br/><br/> The main viharn or assembly hall extends into a long, shallow limestone cave displaying various grim reminders of mortality as a counterbalance to worldly desires. At the back of the cave a flight of marble stairs lead up to the 'tiger cave' itself. Within there is a venerated Buddha footprint on a gilded platform and a life-size figure of Ajaan Jamnien, the temple's enigmatic abbot.<br/><br/> The sprawling temple grounds are partly landscaped, and there are two separate stairways leading to a large Guan Yin image (the Mahayana Buddhist version of the Indian sage Avalokitesvara, known generally as 'the Chinese Goddess of Mercy'), and to another Buddha footprint.
Phra Chedi Luang sits atop Khao Tang Kuan, a hill to the north of Songkhla town. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r.1868 - 1910).<br/><br/> The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora (Jawi: سيڠڬورا); its original name means 'the city of lions' in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla.<br/><br/> Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence.
Located some 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Phang Nga town, this cave-temple is particularly venerated by local people and ranks as one – indeed almost the only one – of Phang Nga town’s attractions beyond, of course, fabulous Phang Nga Bay.<br/><br/> Two small conjoined caves are packed with Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, including a reclining Buddha, various spirit flags and the statue of a seated hermit. At various times in the past the cave-temple has attracted royal visitors, and the royal seals of several past Chakri dynasty monarchs including Rama V (King Chulalongkorn), Rama VII and the current Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej)
Wat Ton Kwen (วัด ต้น เกว๋น), more formally known as Wat Inthrawat (วัด อินทราวาส), means ‘Temple of Sugar Palms’ in kham muang or Northern Thai, and sure enough the rustic temple, set in a small village amid verdant rice paddies, is surrounded by tall and elegant sugar palms.<br/><br/> Built at the start of the reign of Chao Kawilorot (1856-70) in 1856, Wat Ton Kwen is among the finest and purest examples surviving of traditional 19th century wooden Lan Na temple architecture. No doubt because of its small size and relative isolation, it has been spared the ‘improvements’ and other indignities suffered not just by most of its contemporary structures, but also by much older Lan Na religious buildings.<br/><br/> The most distinctive features at Wat Ton Kwen are the typically Lan Na viharn or gabled assembly hall, and an unusual cruciform, four-porch mondop or open-sided pavilion.