Yala
Central Mosque
is the
main mosque of the province, was completed in 1984 displaying western
architectural style intertwined with the unique mosque frame. The front
has about 30 wide steps leading to the upper terrace. The roof is
square-shaped with a dome in the middle.
Sanam Chang Phueak Park is located on Phiphitphakdi Road in an
80-rai plot of land. It was used as the ground to give the King a white
elephant (chang phueak) named “Phra Sawet Sura
Khachathan”
on 9 March 1968. The Park has a pavilion in the middle of a
large pond and various sculpture of animals. The ground of the Park is
also used for other provincial activities.
City Pillar Shrine is located on Phiphitphakdi Road, in front of the City
Hall. His Majesty the King graciously gave the top of the pillar to Yala
on 18 May 1962. This shrine houses the City Pillar made of Chaiyapruk
wood. It is 50 centimetres tall, has a bottom circumference of 43 inches
and top circumference of 36 inches, and a four-faced Bhrama image and a
flame on top. The surrounding area is a well tended park. An annual
festival is held during 25-31 May to celebrate the City Pillar.
Reclining Buddha Image at
Temple Khu Ha Phi Muk or Temple Na Tham is one of
the three most revered places of the south, along with Phra Borom Mathat
at Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phra Borom Mathat Chaiya at Surat Thani,
signifying the importance of Buddhism in the area since the Srivijaya
Period. This temple is located in Tambon Na Tham, about eight kms. from
the city centre, on the road to Amphoe Yaha. A stream runs through the
ground of the temple. A figure of a giant, made in 1941 and named by the
villagers as “Chao Khao”, protects the entrance of the cave that houses
the reclining Buddha. Inside the cave is a large chamber that has been
converted into a religious area, with an opening in the roof of the cave
that lets in the sunlight. The reclining Buddha has been estimated to
have been made in 757, around the Srivijaya Period, and is 81 feet and
one inches long. It is believed that the sculpture was originally in the
Sleeping Narai posture, but later modified into the Hinayana reclining
Buddha.
Suan Khwan Mueang
is
located on Thetsaban 1 Road, about 300 metres from the City Pillar
Shrine. Its vast area of 207 rai has a separate sports ground and a
69-rai pond, landscaped with sandy beach and sea pines to remedy the
landlocked problem of the province. Furthermore, singing bird contest
(Nok Kao Java) is often held at this park since it is the largest and
the best ground for such contest in the south.
Tham Mae Nang Montho
is a
cave on the Yala-Yaha highway, about six kms. from the city centre. The
cave can be reached with a guide who can be contacted at the foothill.
One has to trek through a scrub and a marble quarry for about 15 minutes
to the cave entrance. Inside the cave are large, connecting chambers
that are mostly dark. A torch is highly recommended. The highlight of
this place is at the end of the cave where a large stalagmite resembling
the shape of a meditating lady, hence the name of the cave, is located.
Tham Sin is another cave that
can be reached via the same route as Tham Khu Ha Phi Muk, for one km.
further, then turn left for another km. passing the Ban Tham Sin School.
On the left is a small trek leading to a hill next to the road. The cave
is 28 metres high above the ground with steps leading to the entrance.
This is a very small and dark cave with ancient mural of different
postures of the Lord Buddha and a painting of three women standing
together on the cave wall that has deteriorated with time. The mural was
assumed to be of late Srivijaya Period, around the 14th
– 15th centuries. A torch or a lamp is highly recommended to
view the mural and the cave itself.
