Phra That Doi Mae Ya Mon, the land of the Naga Palace

This temple is deeply rooted in beliefs and faith related to the Naga, as there is a whirlpool in the area believed to be the residence of the Naga Palace. Located in Chiang Rai province, specifically in Chiang Khong district, the temple is known as 'Phra That Doi Mae Ya Mon.' There is a legend associated with this temple. It is said that there is a whirlpool in front of the stupa, which the locals believe is the home of a group of Nagas. These Nagas would often disturb the villagers, causing boats to capsize and acting aggressively. As a result, a magical rope was used to bind the Nagas. When the daughter of one of the Nagas saw her father suffering from being tied up, she transformed into a human and sought help from an elderly woman named Ya Mon. Ya Mon, suspecting that the girl was a Naga known for its ferocity, agreed to help on the condition that the Nagas would stop terrorizing the villagers. The Naga promised, and peace was restored to the area. As you walk down from the temple, you can pass under the belly of the Naga for good fortune. This path stretches from the top down to the banks of the Mekong River.