Phra Pathom Chedi
The tallest stupa in the world, Phra Pathom Chedi tops out at 416 feet, with a base circumference of 773 feet. The original stupa on this site (the archaeological findings for which date to the 4th century) was severely damaged in a Burmese attack in 1057, and a larger stupa was built over the original during the reign of Siam's King Mongkut (1851--1868). The smaller original can still be seen through a small window high on the stupa's spire (accessed via a ladder open only to monks and dignitaries). Surrounding the chedi is one of Thailand's most important monasteries, consisting of four separate vihara (chapels), one of which contains the ashes of King Rama VI.
The terraces around the temple complex are full of fascinating statuary, including Chinese figures, a large reclining Buddha, and an unusual Buddha seated in a chair. By walking around the inner circle surrounding the chedi, you can see novice monks in their classrooms through arched stone doorways. Traditional dances are sometimes performed in front of the temple, and during Loi Krathong, a festival in November that celebrates the end of the rainy season, a fair is set up in the adjacent park.
