Phrae, the town of famous Cho Hae Buddha's relics and Phae Muang Phi, being the site of Muang Song as mentioned in the literature 'Lllit Phra Lo' has an overall area of 6,538.6 square kilometers, is located 551 kms. from Bangkok, administratively divided into 8 Amphoes : Muang, Rong Kwang, Long, Wang Chin, Song, Sung Men, Den Chai and Nong Muang Kai.

PHRAE's ATTRACTIONS

Phrathat Cho Hae The pagoda is located at Tambon Pa Daeng, 9 kms. from Phrae town, and coated with thin Dok Buab gold sheet, having the height of 33 meters, width of each side of the base of 10 meters. The name Cho Hae is derived from a kind of grade satin, woven from Sib Song Parma Kingdom, wrapped around the pagoda by the villagers as an offering. Annual fair worshipping the pagoda takes place on the middle of the fourth lunar month (sixth northern month) of every year.

Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng 3 kms. beyond Phra That Cho Hae in Tambon Pa Daeng about 10 kms. from the province, the Wat is believed to be a shrine where Buddha's hair is kept. There is also a museum within its precints and various kinds of rare artifacts are collected.

Wat Luang and Wat Phra Non located in Soi 1 on Kam Lu Road, Wat Luang is one of the oldest Wats believed to be contemporary with the city of Phrae. The significant properties in this Wat include Phra That Luang Chai Chang Khan; a chedi of Chiang Saen style,Phra Chao Saen Luang a Buddha image, and a museum where Phrae's antiques are collected. On Phra Non Nua Road near Wat Luang is Wat Phra Non where is a Vihan (an image hall) with a beautifully carved pediment in Lanna Thai designs.

Wat Sa Bo Kaeo is situated on Nam Khu Road at the edge of the city moat. Among the attractions of this monastery are a sermon hall, bot, Chedi and marble image of Buddha in Burmese decorations.

WatChom Sawan is located about one kilometerfrom the provincial hall on Yantrakitkoson Road in Tambon Thung Kwao. This monastery in Thai Yai style of the Burmese art has its wholestructure constructed of wood. The building has been used as the bot,vihara and monk residence at the same time. Inner decoration was designed to be elaborate carved wood inlaid with colourful glass. Art objects of the monastery include 'Luang Pho San' a bamboo-woven figure primed with black lacquer and covered its surface with gold leaves'an ivory image of Buddha' in the Burmese artistic style, 'an ivory scripture' with its in- scription made in the Burmese letters and 'a spire housing a marble image of Buddha'.

Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang Worawihan is located on Charoen Muang Road near the provincial hall. This monastery was built at the beginning of Rattanakosin Period and has housed Phra Phutthakosai Sirichai Mahasakayamuni a Buddha image of Phrae a replica of the Buddha's footprint and Phra Chedi Ming Muang an old pagoda.

Phraya Chaiyabun Monument This monument is located 4 kms. from Phrae Market, being constructed as a memorial to Phraya Chaiyabun who was the governor of Muang Phrae, during the reign of King Rama V, and was killed by the Ngiew tribal people because he did not agree to set his hand in a document giving out Muang Phrae to the Ngiew during the Ngiew rebellion in the year 1902 A.D.

Ban Prathap Chai (an impressive house), located at Tambon Pa Maet about 10 km. from the province on Highway 1023, the house is built on 130 huge and elaborately carved teak posts. It is a wonderful example of applied Thai style house. Open daily during 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Ban Thung Hong This is a village located in Amphoe Muang area, renowned by its famous good quality Mohom cotton fabric, regarded as a well known local product, which is a most favourite item for shopping by the tourists to Phrae.

Folk Museum is located about 3 kilometers far away from town along Phrae-Sung Men Road within the same area of Ban Fai Restaurant. Here, the way of living over hundred years ago is on display.

Phae Muang Phi Forest Parks This is located approximately 18 kms. from town, branching off at Km. 12 of Phrae-Rong Kwang Road for another 6 kms. access road to reach it. Within the area, there are strange looking earthen pillars deriving from soil erosion. This area was originally a large shrub which means Phae or Pa Phae or the shrub where villagers oftenly lost their ways thus inspiring them to call the area Phae Mu~ng Phi (the shrub or ghost community).

Namtok Tat Mok This is otherwise called Namtok Mae Khoi, located in Tambon Suan Khuan, Amphoe Muang approximately 22 kms. from the provincial township area and being a three - leveled large waterfall.

Talat Hua Dong Hua Dong Market is about 7 kilometers away from town to the south along highway no.101. Here, wood and rattan products are available in various forms such as furniture, household utensils.

Namtok Huai Rong This three - leveled large waterfall, like Namtok Tat Mok, located in the area of Amphoe Rong Kwang on Phrae - Nan Haighway, 80 kms. from the township area.

Tin Chok Cloth Weaving Villages The Tin Chok cloth of Amphoe Long is woven elaborately and beautifully with cotton and silk. Ban Na Turn Ban Hua Thung and Ban Na Mon are the three villages producing this special kind of cloth.

Phrathat Phra Lo This pagoda, believed to he the place where ashes and bones, left over after cremation of Phra Lo and Ladies Phuan and Phaeng as mentioned in "Lilit Phra Lo" are housed inside, is located in the area of Amphoe Song on the road linking Rong Kwang and Ngao.

Mae Yom National Park 70 Kms. from town, occupies the areas in Phrae's Amphoe Song and Lampang's Amphoe Ngao. From Amphoe Song, travel along the (old) route Song Ngao for about 20 kms. Located in front of the park office isKaeng Sua Ten Rapids Further from the park office, there are Dong Sak Ngam a teak forest (6 kms.) and Lom Dong a big pool (10 km.) Since accommodation is not provided, tourists have to bring tents for an overnight stay.

Wiang Ko Sai National Park in Amphoe Long and Wang Chin. 79 kms. from town. Travel along the Highway No.101 and turn right at Km. 10 after passing through Amphoe Den Chai, turn right to Highway No.l l for 40 kms. and turn left for another 13 kms. on the route to Amphoe Wang Chin to reach the park. There are several waterfalls and a hot water well with temperature of 80 'C. Accommodations are available, contact the National Parks Division, Royal Forestry Department, Tel. 579-0529, 579-4842.