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We had spent most of the morning travelling from Chiang Mai and exploring Doi Inthanon National Park – the highest point in Thailand. Next on our tour was a visit to the twin royal pagodas of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon.

Located not far from the top of Doi Inthanon, the two pagodas were built to commemorate the King and Queen’s 60th birthdays.

We were travelling in the middle of the rainy season in Thailand, and this was very apparent on this particular day. The one good thing about site seeing in bad weather is that you often get the place to yourself, and so what is usually a very busy and popular tourist attraction was now basically deserted, and we were free to explore without the crowds.

Queens Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

The Queen’s Pagoda in the clouds

Another advantage of seeing this particular attraction in bad weather is that we were up in the clouds, giving the place an entirely different feel to what it would be like in fine weather. I found the view of the pagodas in the clouds to be quite beautiful.

Each pagoda has a large stair case leading up to it, along with an escalator for those who have trouble climbing stairs, so this is a place that can really be visited by anyone.

We started by visiting the larger King’s Pagoda, and climbed up the huge stair case to the top.

Climbing stairs to the King's pagoda in Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Climbing up the stairs to the King’s Pagoda

Inside the pagoda is a Buddha statue, and it’s walls and ceilings are beautifully decorated with artwork. The panels on the walls depict important events in Buddhism.

Buddha inside King's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Inside the King’s Pagoda

Ceiling of King's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

The ceiling

The exterior of the pagoda is also decorated with panels of beautiful Buddhist artwork, and we wandered right around the building to view them and the surrounding gardens.

Exterior artwork of King's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Exterior artwork

Garden in the clouds at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

The garden in the clouds

From here we made our way back down the stairs and up the other stair case to the Queen’s Pagoda. Although these are the “twin pagodas”, the Queen’s Pagoda is actually smaller, but equally beautiful.

Again, it is covered in beautiful artwork both inside and out.

Queens pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Queen’s Pagoda

Ceiling of the Queen's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

The Ceiling

Artwork at Queen's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Exterior artwork

Artwork on Queen's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Beautiful detail

After walking around the Queen’s Pagoda the rain had eased off and the clouds even cleared a little, so we took a walk around the beautiful gardens that surround the pagodas. A very peaceful place.

Garden at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

View of the garden from the Queen’s Pagoda

Elephant statues at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Elephant statues in the garden

 

View of Queen's pagoda in the clouds at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

View of the Queen’s Pagoda from the garden

Flowers at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

Flowers in the garden

Queen's Pagoda at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

The Queen’s Pagoda

View of King and Queen's Pagodas at Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon, Thailand

View of the King’s Pagoda from the garden next to the Queen’s Pagoda

The architecture and artwork of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon is truly breathtaking. These pagodas are certainly worthy of the King and Queen of Thailand.

Have you been to Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon or anywhere else in Doi Inthanon National Park?