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Chiang Mai TemplesChiang Mai is the home of more than 300 Buddhist temples (or wats.) All of them are open everyday to the public and play a central part in the life of the surrounding community. Some, like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Phra Singh are well known tourist attractions for both Thai and foreign visitors but the quieter neighborhood temples are just as welcoming and every bit as interesting with exotic sights, sounds and smells. If you wish to make a contribution to the upkeep and improvement of the wat it's possible to find a small donations box but the temple only asks that visitors show respect by wearing suitable clothing - no bare shoulders and modest tops and skirts for women and long pants for men. Being places of worship, it's especially important to respect the custom of removing shoes where indicated when entering buildings. Temples in Chiang Mai reflect the architectural styles of the many ethnic groups that have been welcomed and settled in the kingdom. In the course of a short walk it's possible to see Chinese, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Mon styles as well as the Lanna Thai. Each differing type of temple is the home to its' own tradition in painting, sculpture and methods of worship in addition to the chedis and umbrellas covered with gold.
* Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The temple on Doi (Mount) Suthep was founded by King Keu Naone in 1383, during the Lanna Thai period and is revered as one of the holiest sites in the north of Thailand. The large gold-plated chedi of the temple is clearly visible from the city at the foot of the mountain and has been adopted as the official symbol of Chiang Mai. The temple compound surrounds the chedi with a number of buildings separated by open plazas that allow quiet viewing of the mountain and the city below. Many of the faithful consider climbing the 300 step staircase as the proper way to enter the wat but a tram ride from the parking area to the main level of the temple seems to be the most popular option, especially on warm days. Transportation is easily arranged in tour buses or by songtaews that queue-up on the street in front of the bus terminal and market area just outside the city moat at Pratu Chang Phuak. Take a short tour of the temple with the video below.
* Wat Phra Singh One of the best examples of the classical Lanna Thai style architecture and the best known of Chiang Mai's wats is Phra Singh. Founded in 1345 by King Pa Yo, the temple is located at the end of Ratchadammoen Road, near the western side of the city moat. Inside some of the buildings are well preserved murals showing scenes of daily life some 600 years ago.
Wat Chiang Mun dates from the very beginning of the city's history in 1296 and was the home of King Mengrai during the construction of the city. It is now home to what are claimed to be some of the oldest images Buddha in Thailand.
The temple was constructed in 1401 by King Saeng Muang Ma and is one of Chiang Mai's top tourist attractions. The massive chedi at the center of the temple compound was mostly destroyed in a great earthquake of 1545 and has only been partially restored. Also inside the compound near the main gate is the lak meuang, the wooden pillar that is the home to the guardian spirit of the city.
* Wat Umong, on Canal Road near Suthep Road. King Mengrai built this forest temple for a respected monk who was in the habit of wandering in the countryside. An unusual system of caves was excavated inside a small hill on the temple grounds sometime around 1380 and the walls still have paintings from that period and images of the Buddha.
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