Wat Phumin

Ubosod Wat Phumin (at the front)

Wat Phumin
This monastery is located at Mu Ban Phumin having very unusual characteristics compared to other monasteries in general, i.e., the main shrine hall and the vihara are constructed as the same building. Other attractive items of this monastery are, very beautiful wood carving doors placed in the four directions, made by the Lanna Thai artisans: and mural paintings painted on the internal wall of the Vihara displaying ways of lives and cultures of the past.

Ubosod Wat Phumin (at behind)

The Phraputchaturaphak or Buddha image of the Phumin temple

Ho Phra Tham

Mural painting at Ubosod Wat Phumin

Nan is the eastern edge of the Lanna Kingdom on the Thai border with Laos. Part of Nan's population consisted of the Dai Lua, who originated from Sipsong Panna in southern China. Accordingly, the mural paintings at the vihara of Wat Phumin reflect both Lanna and Dai Lua culture some 137 years ago.

The mural paintings at Wat Phumin are impressive in that they consist of life-size, beautifully painted pictures of men and women wearing ornaments. The portraits express feelings on the faces of the people, who look alive with movements. The murals, however are painted next to the doors, so that when a door is open part of the painting is obstructed.

The most famous paintings at Wat Phumin show a couple of young lovers in local costumes. The man is depicted whispering to the woman; he wears a typical Dai Lua costume and is completely decorated with ornaments. Another portrait shows only the upper half of a man's body. He looks venerable with beard and moustache, and has the features of a Westerner - a missionary mayby?

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NAN CITY MAP

TOURIST MAP OF NAN

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Information

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