Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai
The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, founded in 1296 with the city itself.
Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai
Wat Chiang Man is the first temple built in Chiang Mai, founded in 1296 by King Mangrai, who used the site as his residence while the new city was under construction. It stands in the north-east corner of the walled square, on a quiet street away from the main run of visitors.
Its best-known feature is the Chang Lom chedi - a gilded bell on a square base ringed by fifteen life-size brick elephants emerging from the wall, a Lanna form that appears here in its clearest surviving example. The main hall holds two small and very old Buddha images: a crystal figure and a stone relief, both brought out for the Songkran procession.
An inscription stone from 1581 in the compound records the founding date of the city, which is why Chiang Mai can be dated as precisely as it is.
- Three Kings Monument — The Three Kings Monument honors Chiang Mai's founding rulers with a striking bronze statue, drawing visitors keen on local...
- Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai — The most revered temple in the old city, and the best surviving example of classic Lanna architecture.
- Wat Umong, Chiang Mai — A forest monastery below Doi Suthep, built around a network of brick meditation tunnels.
- Doi Inthanon National Park — The highest mountain in Thailand, with cloud forest, waterfalls and the twin royal chedis near the summit.
- Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai — The restored eastern gate of the old city walls, and the square where Chiang Mai holds its festivals.
- Warorot Market, Chiang Mai — Chiang Mai's main covered market - northern food, textiles and the city's Chinatown around it.
