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Wat Phra Kaew is a third-class royal temple of the ordinary type, located on Trirat Road, Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. It belongs to the Maha Nikaya sect of Buddhism.
This temple is historically significant as the first discovery site of the Emerald Buddha (Phra Phuttha Maha Mani Rattana Patimakorn) within its ancient chedi. Today, Wat Phra Kaew showcases unique Lanna architecture, including the ordination hall (ubosot), the Jade Hall, and the Ho Luang Saeng Kaew Museum.
Originally named Wat Pa Yia (Bamboo Forest Temple), the temple was renamed in 1434 (B.E. 1977) when lightning struck the chedi, revealing a stucco-covered Buddha statue hidden inside. When the stucco cracked, it revealed a green gemstone beneath. Upon removing the outer layer, the statue was identified as the Emerald Buddha. Since then, the temple has been known as Wat Phra Kaew.
