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In the old town of Chiang Mai alone there are more than 200 Wats. In the old town of Chiang Mai alone there are more than 200 Wats. We cannot and will not visit all. Thus we chose some of the most beautiful and significant temples to get an overview of the different architecture and styles.
First, we take a tuk-tuk in the north-western direction outside of Chiang Mai. Not far from the city walls we come to
Wat Chet Yot
King Tilokarat commissioned Wat Chet Yot in 1455. The construction started in 1476, on occasion of the Eighth Buddhist World Council. The council took place here in 1477 to renew the Buddhist Pali canon. The Pali canon Is the oldest most complete collection of the traditional teachings of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama.
At first glance, we are surprised by the windowless building, decorated with beautiful Indian reliefs with Thewadas (divine nature) on the outside. It is the Wihan Maha Pho, the central shrine of this Wat. The Seven spires (Chet Yot) on its roof gave the temple its name.
To the left is a modern Wihan.
We go right and spot a collection of sculptures, altars, and Buddha statues. We circle the Wihan and see several Chedis. The greatest one contains the ash of King Tilokarat.
Afterward, we visit the modern Wihan and at last Chet Yot. The interior consists of a comparatively bare corridor. At its end, you find a large and several small Buddha statues. The entrance to the Wihan is guarded by Cobras.
Back within the city walls we visit first
Wat Phra Singh
King Pha Yu Wat founded the temple in 1345. He wanted to bury the ashes of his father King Kham Fu in a Chedi. In 1367, the Buddha statue Phra Sihing was erected here and thus the temple was named Wat Phra Singh. Due to construction works during our visit, most parts of the Chedi are covered by plastic foil, thus we can not see very much.
Behind the entrance, we stand in front of the elaborately decorated, modern assembly hall. Besides that, we see some small outbuilding resp. temples, preferably in Lanna architecture, constructed just as artistically.
After the visit of the mighty assembly hall, we come to a little hall in Lanna style. It stands westward behind the great Wihan.
It is the most important building of the temple, the Wihan Lai Kham. Built in 1345, it houses the Phra-Sihing statue.
Allegedly, this statue came from India and reached Chiang Mai via Sri Lanka, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Ayutthaya. But there are three different statues in Thailand which raise this claim. Furthermore, the head was stolen and you only see a copy of the head here.
Between the modern Wihan and the Chedi is the Ubosot. The Ubosot is the most sacred building of a temple, with a tower-shaped altar, guarded by the wax statues of monks.
We set off on foot and arrive at the three Kings Monument in front of the old provincial administration building, which houses the Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Center today.
Three Kings Monument
The monument shows King Mangrai, the founder of the Kingdom of Lan Na. King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao stand right next to him. They closed a Three-King Treaty to protect against the Mongols. Although they finally had to pay tribute to Kublai Khan, they considered themselves as independent.
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More InformationAfter the death of Mangrai in 1311, Lan Na disintegrated into two parts. The northern part was ruled from Chiang Rai by his eldest son. His second son ruled from Chiang Mai over the southern part. Only at the end of the 14th century Lan Na was reunited and existed until the 16th century.
We continue our way and stroll through the narrow streets lined with small shops and guesthouses. Between, there are luxurious-looking single-family houses.
Many plants and flowers adorn the roadside, the houses, and the grounds. The range of shops and restaurants prove the fact that tourism has become an important source of income.
Finally, we arrive at
Wat Chiang Man
Wat Chiang Man was the first temple in Chiang Mai, founded in 1297 by King Mangrai. We see two Wihans. The greater Wihan houses a series of golden Buddha statues. Among them is a 1.76 m tall standing Buddha, with an alms bowl in his hands. The year 1465, engraved in the base, testifies to the fact that it is the oldest Buddha statue of the Lanna empire. And it is also the first Buddha statue of Thailand that carries an alms bowl.
The smaller Wihan houses Phra Sila and Phra Setang Khamani. Thick bars protect both treasures. Phra Sila is a striding Buddha on a relief. It is about 30 cm high and came here from Ceylon in the 8th century.
Phra Sae Tang Khamani is the famous 10 cm Buddha statue of clear quartz crystal. The statue is also known as Phra Kaeo Khao, the Crystal Buddha. For the inhabitants, both statues represent a sanctuary, that protects the city. Legends attribute to them magical powers.
Behind the Wihans is a Chedi in Lannan style. Elephants seem to carry it. The Chedi is the oldest building of the temple.
Next to it is a Ubosot, with a stele of 1581 in front of it. Their inscription is the oldest proof of the foundation of Chiang Mai. King Mangrai founded and built the city on April 12th, 1296.
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