Thailand Travel Pages - Wi Harn Zean (Chinese Museum)

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Wi Harn Zean (Chinese Museum):

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The Viharnra Sien Museum (also spelled Wiharn Xian) is a museum which began in 1987 with a dream of harmoniously demonstrating the mixing Chinese and Thai Cultures which is quite representative of Thailand today. This museum got its start with a donation from the Chinese government of 328 rare, historical and valuable works of art. The museum is located just south of Pattaya, another popular tourist destination. While this museum is a little out of the way I highly suggest visiting this destination for it provides you with insight into the intertwining of the Chinese and Thai cultures that has existed over the centuries.

In this destination, I have included many pictures of the exhibits of the museum so you can get a feel for the types of art found there but it is only a small fraction of the total number of beautiful artifacts.

You are greeted in the museum's forecourt by many statues depicting Chinese mythical characters.

On the museum's second floor balcony there are a large number of statues of historical and mythical Chinese Characters.

There are Chinese iconic drawings throughout the museum each drawn in the traditional Chinese style.

On the third floor is the main room dedicated to Buddha, having painted murals depicting the Lord Buddha's Life. You can follow his life from miraculous birth to his peaceful death.

There is also a room dedicated to the Ramayana, the Hindu story of creation and great deeds by great characters. The Ramayana is an integral part of Thai History and is wonderfully preserved here in this museum.

Just across the valley from the museum is cliff face that has etched with the Inage of the Lord Buddha. The image is over 100 meters high and was placed there with use of lasers by Thai craftsmen.