Viharnra Sien, with Chinese style design (credit: travel.edtguide.com)
Viharnra Sien, or Anek Kuson Sala in Thai, is a temple cum museum in South Pattaya with great collection of Chinese art pieces. It was constructed in year 1987 in conjunction with the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The 3-storey Viharnra Sien building was constructed in Chinese style, a reflection of Chinese’s influence in Thailand. The entrance is guarded by 2 enormous stone Peking lions, a common feature of Chinese temples. The gate is decorated with the black and white symbol of yin and yang, while the roof comes with numerous dragon sculptures.
The most distinctive art piece in Viharnra Sien is probably the Terracotta Army – sculptures of warriors, horses and chariots date back to third century BC. A type of funeral art, Terracotta Army was created for burial together with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, and believed to be protecting the emperor in the after world. The museum features a handful of real size Terracotta warriors, as well as a miniature Terracotta Army mimicking the real Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang discovered in year 1974 in Shaanxi, China.
Viharnra Sien also showcases antiques, statues, paintings, granite carvings, pottery, bronze ware, and other artworks from China, some of which are gifts from the Chinese Government. Few of the pottery pieces are more than 3000 years old, from the Shang Dynasty. Visitors will also find statues of the 18 Shaolin monks in various martial art stunts, from the legendary Shaolin Monastery. As a temple, Viharnra Sien houses sculptures of Chinese Gods, including Buddha statues, and jade statue of the Goddess of Mercy. There is also a section dedicated to art and history of Thailand.
| How to get there: | ||
Viharnra Sien is located 20 km from Pattaya city, reachable by taxi or chartered songthaew.
| Opening hour and entrance fee: | ||
Opening hours are 8 am to 5 pm daily.
Admission fee is THB50 per person.
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