Temples of Chiang Mai, Thailand
See Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat UMong
A guide to some of the famous Buddhist temples around Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Northern Thailand is beautiful and relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a wonderful old walled city that is worth a visit to see some of the nearby temples. Here's a quick guide:
Wat Chiang Man
Located in town, this temple is small but is notable for being the first one built over 700 years ago by Chiang Mai founder King Mengrai. It has some beautiful Northern Thai architecture, the buildings are painted with red lacquer, covered with gold leaf and the windows are surrounded by colors. It's near the Chang Puak gate in the northeast of the city.
Wat Chedi Luang
Also located inside the city wall is this impressive temple that is over 600 years old. Noted for its massive and very impressive pagoda or chedi, which when originally built towered almost 300 feet high. Either partially destroyed by an earthquake or warfare, the chedi now stands at the still impressive height of 200 feet. It has been incompletely restored, surrounded by elephant and golden Buddha statues. Also noteworthy is this temple originally housed the Emerald Buddha that now has its own temple in the Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. It's located a little southeast of the city center on Prapoklao Road.
Wat UMong
Located in the jungle a mile outside of town, this temple was built over 500 years ago still houses monks and is definitely worth exploring. It's fairly large and you'll feel like you're stepping into a different world entirely. There are many quirky stone statues covered in moss lined up outside of the main tunnel. Inside the maze-like tunnel are a few tiny alters with statues of Buddha, candles and incense. On top of the tunnel is a large chedi. Walking through the temple grounds you will see many other statues of Buddha parts brought from other temples. To get to this temple you can either walk, (it might take a while but it's interesting to see other parts of Chiang Mai outside the walled city) or else you can take a cab or tuk-tuk.
Click to read about other Chiang Mai temples: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Gatekaram and Wat Jed Yod
Getting to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
By train: Trains take about 12 hours, daily there is one overnight train and two day trains.
By plane: Thai Airways makes regular flights daily.
Practical tips
Temples are holy places and should be treated with respect to the local customs. You must be dressed modestly (no shorts or bare shoulders) and remove your shoes before entering the holy areas.
More Buddhist sites: Visiting Amdo Tibet
