Wat Phan Tao
Wat Phan Tao
This is one of the old Wat’s in Chiang Mai believed to have been founded at the end of the 14th century in the center of the old walled city.
The name Wat Phan Tao literally means “temple of a thousand kilns”. This came from the many ovens (kilns) that were used there to create/cast Buddha images used both here and at its immediate neighbor Wat Chedi Luang.
The original viharn (built in 1846) was originally used as a throne hall for the Kings of Chiang Mai. In 1876 this hall was removed and a new viharn was built using many of the wood panels from the old structure. The viharn was set on a stone base and is considered one of the oldest all wooden structures in Chiang Mai. The viharn has a 3 tiered roof with golden Chofah and Naga serpents at the roof ends. Of particular beauty is the viharns front facade. Over the pelmet is a gilded carving of s peacock and crouching dog. Naga serpents and other mythical creatures are also depicted.
The viharns interior has large red teak pillars and long woven banners hanging from the ceiling. Opposite the entrance is the Wats principal Buddha image, a golden seated Buddha.
Other structures at the Wat include a large white chedi, a small bell tower, a Kuti or monks living quarters and a small garden with many bells.
Outside the Wat’s wall are several Singha (Burmese style lion) guarding the temple grounds.
Getting to the Wat is easy. At the center of the old walled city, Wat Phan Tao is right next to the well known Wat Chedi Luang.
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh
Of the many beautiful and old temples, Wat Phra Singh may well be the most attractive in Chiang Mai.
The temple, also known as The Monastery of the Lion Buddha or The Temple of the Lion Buddha, is a very active temple with hundreds of monks and novices living there.
Wat Phra Singh dates back to the 14th century when Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and is a great example of Lanna style architecture with many highly revered and old Buddha image.
There are many Lanna style buildings at the Wat, the oldest being the main chedi which was built by King Pha Yu in 1345 to enshrine the ashes of his father. Since it’s construction in the 14th century, it has been considerably enlarged. The chedi is circular in shape with a square base. Each side of the chedi is decorated with elephant figures emerging from the chedi.
One of the best examples of Lanna style architecture is the viharn Lai Kham. This viharn was built during the 14th century to house the highly revered Phra Singh Buddha image. This Wat was originally named Wat Li Chiang Phra until the Phra Singh Buddha imaged was brought here in 1367. The exterior of viharn Lai Khon is decorated in typical Lanna gold and ochre colors. The viharn itself is made from teak wood and a 3 tiered roof, the lower edges are decorated with chofahs and an ornamental decoration resembling the shape of a thin bird.
The viharns interior’s beauty equals that of its exterior. At the back you’ll find the Phra Singh Buddha image with the wall covered with Kai Kham, a red lacquer patterned with gold leaf. The other 3 walls have murals painted in the 1920’s showing popular local stories, scenes from the 19tth century and tales about previous lives of the Buddha.
Vihanr Luang is the largest building in the Wat. While the original viharn was built during the 14th century, it was replaced by the current building in 1925. This viharn houses the highly revered Phra Chao Thong Tip Buddha image. Cast of gold and copper in 1477, this Buddha image is seated in the subduing Mara Mudras posture.
Wat Phra Singhs wooden ubosot was built in 1806. The gables of the bot are highly decorated with wood carvings. Here we find a very elaborate Ku which is a mondop like throne with a Buddha image. At the other end of the bot there is a copy of the Emerald Buddha image – the original is now located in Bangkok.
The Ho Trai is another excellent example of Lanna style architecture and is where the temple library and ancient Buddhist scriptures are kept.
The Ho Trai was built during the 15th century and is an elaborate wooden structure built on a stone base to protect its contents from flooding and insects. The base is decorated with Devata figures (sort of guardian angels) and the wooden top is covered with glass mosaics and gilded lacquer works. Large mythical creatures guard the entrance steps. The Wat area has several other chedis, the Kuti (monks living quarters) and a building containing a reclining Buddha image
Wat Phra Singh is located in the old walled city at the end of Ratchadamnoen Road. There is a modest entrance fee at this Wat.
Wat Phra That Doi Khan
Wat Phra That Doi Khan
Built at the end of the 7th century, and sitting at the top of a forested hill outside of Chiang Mai, the Wat gets few visitors. The Wats name means “golden mountain temple”.
Built in 687, the chedi is the oldest structure and resembles the chedi at the well known Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Large golden colored Naga serpents guard the stairs on both sides. There is a sacred relic of The Buddha enshrined in the chedi. Local legend tells of 2 giants who lived in the area thousands of years ago who were cannibals. When the Buddha visited the area he convinced the giants to give up cannibalism and convert to Buddhism. The Buddha gave them a piece of his hair which is the relic now enshrined in the chedi. In 1966 the chedi collapsed from heavy rain, but money was quickly raised and the chedi was restored.
The courtyard which contains the chedi and viharn is partly enclosed by a gallery lined with green square pillars decorated with golden flower motifs. The gallery contains several seated Buddha images on white pedestals and in various seated positions. Visitors can strike any of the many bells and gongs in the courtyard. The grounds are guarded by large warriors and white lions or Singha. The viharn roof is decorated with Naga bargeboards and has beautifully carved window panels.
A short distance from the chedi and viharn you will find the most noticeable feature of the Wat, that is the 17 meter Buddha image sitting on a white pedestal. There is a Lanna style ubosot which is a very ornate structure with a multi-tiered roof and Naga bargeboard. On both sides of the stares are large golden colored Naga’s that come out of the mouth of Makaras (a mythical water creature). The ubosots facade is particularly beautiful with a golden peacock motif over the entrance with a lively green background.
The Wat is located about 10km southwest of Chiang Mai.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Doi Suthep is one of the most important ad revered temples in Northern Thailand. If you only visit one temple in Chiang Mai, this is the one to see! The Wat is located about 15 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai atop Doi Suthep Mountain. From the arrival area, or car park, there are 309 steps to the top. This stairway is guarded by Naga serpents. As an easier alternative, to the right there is a cable car that can get you to the top.
Once you arrive at the top, you can wonder around and just take in the beauty of the temple. On this terrace you’ll find small shrines, monuments, rock gardens, a jackfruit tree, and the statue of a white elephant. The legend of this white elephant represents the founding of Wat Doi Suthep. It goes back to the 14th century when a monk from Sukhothai came to Chiang Mai. He brought with him a relic believed to be the shoulder bone of The Buddha. The monk took the relic to the ruler of the Lanna Kingdom, King Kueno. Upon arriving he found that the relic had split into 2 pieces, one piece the original size and the other smaller piece. The smaller piece was enshrined in Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai. The King decided the larger piece needed a special location. This piece was put on the back of a white elephant which was set free to wonder. The elephant made its way to Doi Suthep mountain and just before reaching the top, the elephant trumpeted 3 times and then died/ This was the sign of where to enshrine the relic. In 1368 the first chedi was built to keep the holy relic. Since then, the temple complex has grown to what you see today.
OK, from the first terrace you can see the magnificent entrance and stairs to the second terrace. Here you will find the covered in gold chedi that now enshrines the relic. As you walk around this terrace you’ll see a tightly packed complex of shrines, bells, golden umbrellas, and Buddha images displaying the many Buddha postures. Walk around, take-in the atmosphere of the Wat, see the copy of the Emerald Buddha and don’t forget the view of Chiang Mai City with it’s airport runways.
Wat Doi Suthep also has a meditation center that welcomes both Thai and foreigners to learn and practice meditation.
Being 15 kilometers from town options for getting Wat Doi Suthep include a private taxi, baht bus, and a guided tour can be a good choice.
Wat Prasat
Wat Prasat
Located opposite Wat Phra Signh in the old walled city of Chiang Mai, the founding date is unknown but generally believed to date back to the end of the 16th century.
The Wat grounds include an ubosot, viharn and two chedis. All but one chedi were built in a straight line.
A wooden structure built on a stone base, the viharn was built in 1823 using the classic Lanna style. It has a 3 tiered roof with Chofah decorating the roof ends. There are panels on the entrance plus pillars, all showing intricately decorated flower motif carvings in the Lanna style.
While most Wats have the principle Buddha image in the viharn, Wat Prasats Buddha image is in a chedi. The seated Buddha image can be seen through an ornately decorated entrance to a tunnel leading from the viharn to the chedi. Also, on both sides of the tunnels entrance are several seated Buddha images. The bronze Buddha image dates back to 1590.
Located behind the viharn is the ubosot which is a reconstruction of the original bot. Behind the bot is the original large white chedi with a golden spire. Also on the grounds is a bell tower and large spirit house guarded by 2 Naga serpents.
The easiest way to this Wat is to go to Wat Phra Singh – Wat Prasat is directly across from it.
Wat Saen Fang
Wat Saen Fang
The Wat gate, with its guarding Naga serpents, actually has a couple local businesses within the entrance. Dates are a bit confusing as the Wat was founded in the 14th century but the architecture only dates back to the 19th century.
The Lanna style viharn was originally built as a royal hall for the Chao Kawilorat who reigned from 1856 to 1870. With its elaborate carved panels of animal motifs on its gable, it was converted to the viharn in 1879.
There is a white Burmese style chedi with pairs of Chinthe guarding each corned.
There is a beautifully carved red painted Ho Trai located in a pond.
Finally, the ubosot was constructed in 1910 and displays both Lanna and Burmese style displaying small Kinnom figures on the roofs ridges.
Wat Sri Koed
Wat Sri Koed
With a variety of names used – Wat Sri Gerd, Wat Si Goet, Wat Si Koet, if you visit the Wat, the name you’ll on the official nameplate on the entrance wall is Wat Sri Koed. This is an old monastery located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s old walled city and close to Wat Phra Singh. Prince Domrong refers to it’s founding in 1638 which comes from the Khlong Nirat Hari Punchai chronicle.
Inside the Wat is a viharn with a 4 tiered roof, the forth tier is over a portico which is supported by 4 ornately decorated columns. There is a Naga flanked staircase under the portico and a Garuda topped pillar in front of the viharn.
The principle Buddha image is called the Phra Chao Khaeng Khom and is done in the U Thong style. The Buddha image is in the bhumisparsa posture touching the earth with its right hand fingers. This posture is where The Buddha called Mae Toranee, the earth goddess to bear witness to his victory over Mary and the evil forces.
Also on the Wat grounds, there is an active massage school that is open to foreigners to attend from 3 to 10 days in length.
Wat Sri Suphan
Wat Sri Suphan
Wat Sri Puphan is commonly known as “The Silver Temple” because of it’s beautiful hand crafted silver detail.
The Wat was originally built in the early 1500’s and served as the main temple for a local silversmithing village in Chiang Mai.
Over the years, as parts of the temple showed ware, repairs were made with local silver. It wasn’t until 2008 that the process of completely covering the temple in silver began. Except for the sema stones, today very little remains of the original temple. While some work still continues, the ubosot (ordination hall) is basically completed.
The wiharn (prayer hall) is much larger and is also completed. The inside walls are covered with silver panels mostly showing scenes from the Buddha’s lives. You will also find a large elegant Buddha image on the alter.
Some notes:
- Due to old Buddhist rules. women are not allowed in the ubosot.
- The Wat also includes a silversmithing school where you may have a chance to see some of the students creating silver pieces.
- Around Chiang Mai, there are a few temples that offer what is called “monk chats” where you can have a chance to interact with English speaking monk(s). My opinion: the Silver Temple offers the best opportunity to participate in one of these monk chats. On my last visit, the monk chat was being offered Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting at 5:30 PM and lasting 1½ hours followed by a 2 hour introduction to meditation. Technically, the monk chat is free, however there is what seems to be a mandatory temple donation, but its not that much!
The Silver Temple is located at 100 Wua Lai Road next to the Wua Lai Saturday night walking street market.
Wat Sum Pow
Wat Sum Pow
Also written as Wat Sam Pao, the Wat grounds are located on Ratchadamnoen Road which is the main road through old Chiang Mai town and is just opposite from Wat Phan On.
There are a pair of Chinthe (Burmese style lion) guarding the Wats entrance. The beautiful gold chedi has niches with Buddha images seated under a Bodhi tree. Also within the grounds is a large Naga serpent guarded viharn and next to the viharn is an area offering Thai and foot massage.
Wat Thaton
Wat Thaton
Although not actually in Chiang Mai, it is in Chiang Mai Province and anyone visiting will probably start from Chiang Mai city.
Also called The Temple of the Magnificent Crystal Pagoda, Wat Thaton is a large temple complex in a very attractive setting just a few kilometers fro the Myanmar boarder. It is built on a hill overlooking Ban Thaton Village and the Maekok River and covers several levels of a forested hill.
At the first level is a statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Also at the first level is the office and a Buddhist school. One of the oldest structures is the chedi which is used to enshrine relics of The Buddha, Kings, and very important monks.
At level 2 is the ubosot and at level 3 there is a large white Buddha image sitting in the subduing Mara posture.
The Phra Nakprok building with the Vipassana Meditation Center are at level 4. The roof has a huge seated Buddha image with a 7 headed Naga serpent. The next level is the meditation hall and accommodations for the students.
The obvious and most striking structure is the newly built Chedi Kaew or Crystal Buddha which can be seen from miles away. This colorful structure has a large greenish spire on top and both sides of the entrance are decorated with golden colored Theawada figures on a red background.
Over the richly decorated entrance is a depiction of the Buddha in front of a Dhamma wheel. A very tall golden Buddha image standing over 10 meters and holding an alms bowl is overlooking the area.
Getting to Wat Thaton is a journey. It is about 175 km north of Chiang Mai near the village of Ban Thaton and about 50 km northwest of Chiang Rai.