Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, Buddhist temple on hilltop in Mae Hong Son, Thailand.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is a temple complex featuring two large white chedis crowning a hilltop at approximately 1,500 meters elevation. Both stupas dominate the skyline and remain visible across the entire Mae Hong Son valley.
The first chedi was built in 1860, with a second one constructed in 1874 when Mae Hong Son received city status. These two structures mark important milestones in the region's development.
The temple displays Shan Buddhist architecture blending Thai and Burmese religious design, visible in every structural detail. The way visitors pray and interact with the sacred spaces here reflects traditions passed down through generations.
A stone staircase with approximately 300 steps climbs from the valley to the summit, or visitors can hire a motorcycle taxi. The ascent is manageable for most people, and the path offers rest areas along the way.
Dense morning mist fills the valley below the temple, creating the illusion that the chedis float above a sea of clouds. This natural phenomenon is most striking between November and January when humidity is highest.
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