The multi-tiered roof architecture, known in Shan as "Jong" or "Pyatthat," is a defining feature of religious structures in Burmese and Shan art. The cascading roof layers (commonly seen in 3, 5, 7, or up to 9 tiers) serve more than just aesthetic or ventilation purposes in tropical climates; they represent the levels of Mount Meru and the celestial realms of Buddhist cosmology. In Phrae, Wat Chom Sawan stands as the most complete example, with its teak structure featuring intricate tiered roofs adorned with delicate wood fretwork, symbolizing the heavenly abodes where the Buddha resides.