Chiang Mai City
Wat Phra Sing
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 bas relief.
Temples
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 larg-est metal images.
Temples
Wat Chiang Man
Ratchaphakhinai 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 Kaeo Khao.
Temples
Wat Ku Tao
near Chiang Mai Municipal 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.
Temples
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.
Temples
Wat Chet Yot
Chinag Mai-Lam Pang Super Highway
This temple dates from 1458. The sevenspired 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.
Temples
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.
Temples
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.
Palaces , Museums and Gardens
