Wat Nong Wang (sometimes Waeng) is more formally known as Wat Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon. In the centre of Khon Kaen, there has been a wat there since the 1700s, but the new development was inaugurated in 1996 in honour of the 50th anniversary of Rama IX’s accession to the throne. The distinguishing feature is the impressive nine-story pyramidal design of the main stupa which has square floors of diminishing dimensions, finally reaching eighty metres in height. Each floor hosts different period décor and displays before arriving at the 9th where Buddha relics can be found. Each floor also allows views towards the lake and to the city.