Temples
Located within the old city are more than 40 temples many of which are 500 years old or older. After 3 temples most visitors call it quits and cannot bother to visit another one but the temples have a cunning strategy: pretending to be parking lots, markets etc. they entice the unsuspecting tourist to an unplanned visit. Out of the 300 temples in and around the city we have selected the most interesting ones. When you visit a wat, expect to see some bizarre creatures. More than simply decorative – although they are certainly that – each has a story or symbolic meaning behind it. Many of these beings are key figures in Thai mythology, but most stem from Hindu India origins, making their way to the area via several early Southeast Asian empires including Khmer, Srivijaya and Dvaravati. The half man, half bird Garuda carrying the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda is a character from the Ramakien who dies trying to rescue nang Sida, the hero’s wife, from the evil demon Tosekanth. The Naga or serpent king is usually fashioned in pairs as stair-flanking balustrades. This mythic snake was said to have protected the Buddha as he meditated during flooding rains by coiling its body underneath him to lift him above the torrent, and using its multitude of heads to form a protective cover. Paintings and figurines of the earth mother Thorani wringing water from her hair is a common temple icon. Thorani is the goddess who witnessed the Buddha’s accumulated merit immediately prior to his enlightenment. Hanuman is the beloved monkey hero of the Ramakien The Makara is a sea creature with the body of a reptile that spouts a naga from its mouth. This motive can be found as a balustrade in many temples in the city.Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang: This "Monastery of the great stupa" is the most important temple in Chiang Mai as it houses the city pillar, known as the Sao Inthakin, held in much veneration by the people of Chi[...]Wiang Kum Kam
The nine main sites taken in on a typical tour are not greatly interesting compared to many of Thailand's ancient sites. What does make the trip worthwhile is the gentle pace and scenery of the cou[...]Wat Sri Suphan
This temple in the middle of the silver smiths area was built between 1495 and 1515 but was destroyed and looted several times when Chiang Mai was under Burmese occupation. Close to the main viharn[...]Wat Umong
This forrest temple was built in a secluded place at the base of the sacred mountain Doi Suthep as a meditation temple and as such it does not have the usual features of temple grounds. The temple[...]Wat Pa Pao
Its completely overlooked by all the guidebooks, but Wat Pa Pao is a quite unique temple in Chiang Mai. Its not as ancient as many of the temples of the city. It was built late in the nineteenth ce[...]Wat Suan Dok
The 14th century temple of Wat Suan Dok was built by King Keu Na of Lanna for a revered priest visiting from Sukhothai as a place for the monk to spend the rains retreat. The name of the temple rou[...]Wat Chiang Man
This '' Monastery of the Fortified City " is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, constructed by King Mangrai in 1297, just one year after the founding of Chiang Mai. A stone inscription in front of th[...]Wat Doi Suthep
Wat Doi Suthep is 900 metres high up on the sacred mountain top of Doi Suthep with views overlooking Chiang Mai.The founding of this wat is based on a Buddhist legend. In 1371 an elephant carrying [...]Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh (the Monastery of the lion) is the major temple for Lanna art and architecture.It was built in1345 by King Pa Yo. The Thai word Singh means lion and refers to the characteri[...]
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