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Wat Phra Singh
Sam Lan Road
This lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of
the focal points of Songkran festivities each
April 13-15 when people bathe the revered Phra
Buddha Sihing image. The temple compound includes
the lovely Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite
woodcarvings and northern-style murals, and a
magnificent scriptural repository with striking
teas relief.
 Wat
Suan Dok
Suthep Road
This temple was built in a 14th century Lanna
Thai
monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite
spot for photographers, particularly for striking
sunsets. Several of the white chedis contain
ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. The
500-year-old bronze Buddha image in a secondary
chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal images.
Wat Chiang Man
Ratchaphakkinai Road
This is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably
dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of
King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is
noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of
elephantine buttresses, and a small ancient
Buddha image, Phra Kaeow Khaow.
Wat Ku Tao
near Chiang Mai Stadium
This temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous
pagoda. The structure is decorated with colourful
porcelain chips and is believed to represent five
Buddhist monks' alms bowls which symbolise five
Lord Buddhas.
Wat Chedi Luang
Phrapokklao Road
This temple is the site of an enormous pagoda,
originally 280 feet high, and which was partially
destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. At one time,
Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha
image now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. A
magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapel's
front porch.
Wat Chet Yot
Super Highway, north of the Huai
Kaew Nimmanhemin Roads intersection
This temple dates from 1458. The seven-spired
square chedi was inspired by designs at
Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha's Enlightenment
in north India over 2,500 years ago, and was
built by Lanna Thai architects after visiting the
holy site.
Wat U-Mong
Suthep Road
This delightful meditation temple is completely
different from Chiang Mai's other major temples
and enjoys a bucolic forest setting. The ancient
chedi is of particular interest.
Chiang Mai National
Museum
Beside Wat Chet Yot
The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai
works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war
weapons. The museum opens daily, except Mondays,
Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 AM
until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 PM. |
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