Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang are located in the same area situated at the center of Mae Hong Sorn City
Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang temples are side by side, if the visitor may think that it is a single temple but it is actually two. Located on the shores of Jong Kham Lake, they are the most famous of the city and are beautifully lit by night. Their photo reflecting in the lake is probably the most common picture of Mae Hong Son. The temples date from the early 19th century and were built in the Burmese Shan style.
At night Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang will be decorated with lights and two beautiful The pagoda in the temple are decorated with only visible light is coming from afar, the pagoda shape. Photo of sparkling lights adorned the temple reflected in the water at night Nong Chong Kham.
The Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang temples are attractive at any time of the day. Visiting in the early morning as dawn breaks, the mountains behind are often shrouded in mist. Monks depart on their morning alms round whilst joggers run around the lake.
By afternoon, the scene is different again with the mist gone and the mountains in clear view. Visit again at night to see the temples lit up and reflected across the lake, one of the most iconic images of Mae Hong Son. There are a few bars and restaurants in the vicinity of the lake which make the most of the evening views.
The brilliant white and golden chedis mesh with the green roofs and their yellow edgings to form a glistening mirage across the surface of the lake, broken only by the lake’s fountains.
The Wat Jong Kham is such a place of exquisite beauty, especially when reflected in the Jong Kham lake. This temple is filled with Burmese influence and constructed in 1827 by Thai Yai artisans who gilded pillars with golden flakes. The main hall houses a large Buddha statue with a width of 4.85 meters cast by Burmese craftsmen. Another statue is a replica of the Buddha image in Wat Suthat in Bangkok. There also is a small museum displays the wooden sculptures that are carved by Burmese craftsmen more than 150 years ago.
Luang Pho To
Wat Jong Klang was carried out from 1867-71 as an offering to Burmese monks who were visiting Mae Hong Son for the funeral of an important abbot. There are several interesting items such as wooden figurines of human and animals depicted in the Phra Vejsandon Jakata (pronounced Cha-dok which means one of odd stories of former incarnations of the Buddha) created by Burmese craftsmen and brought over in 1857, painting on glass about the Jakata and on Prince Siddhartha, as well as on the ways of life of the time. The captions are in Burmese. There are also notations that the paintings were by Thai Yai artisans from Mandalay.
Phra Phuttha Sihing is installed on an altar.
In a room behind the paintings is a collection of small wooden ‘dolls’ also bought from Burma.
Wat Jong Klang’s white and gilded chedi has practically become a symbol of Mae Hong Son.
Getting there: It’s on Chamnarmsathit Road in the middle of Mae Hong Son town.