Thailand Trip Report Day 10 November 23 Chiang Mai old town temples

 Chiang Mai literally means “new city” and has retained the name despite celebrating its 700th anniversary in 1996. 

Founded in 1296, it was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom until 1558 and retains vestiges of its historical walls and moats.

 The city offers natural beauty with surrounding mountains, cultural activities Chiang Mai, with scenic landscapes, culture sites, heritage, and access to nature, is perfect for self-drive day trips. 

We had done 3 day trips on our earlier stint at Chiang Mai, to Doi Inthanon park, Doi Suthep Pui park, and then drove for a stay at Chiang Rai. So we were back for enjoying the local sights in the famous old town

November 23 Sunday : Drive back to Chiang Mai, drove to local temples Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Phan On, Varaviharn Temple, Tha Phae Gate, Wat Mahawan Wat Buppharam, returned car at airport at 6PM

STAY: Baan Ploy Inn 2 studio Chiang Mai

CHECKED OUT

 Now at 8am we checked out of Chiang Rai apt. Lovely bar setting here!

 we drove back from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai's old town. The roads were windy and we reached our old town apt only by 12.30. 

Kept our bags with the reception girl, had our lunch, started our temple visit only at 1:30

We planned to hit up these temples and more...Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Phan On  Watchediluang Varaviharn Temple,Tha Phae Gate, Wat Mahawan Wat Buppharam

Below is the walking maps we prepared. But we drove everywhere, much easier!

We could not see most of the selected temples, due to paucity of ime. Such a pity!!

Chiang Mai Local Temples Walking Maps

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bMPySXHHPCeKL7d1A 5.6km, 77min, from Baan Ploi To Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan , Wat Phan Tao, ...Wat Jetlin,

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PecMQ8R2iqomLWSv5 1.5km back to hotel from wat jetlin, can include Wat Chedi Luang also on way back

OR

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wL7QaeAL3uMgvAEb6 1.2 km, 17min, Wat Jetlin, Wat Si Suphan [siver], Wat Muen San;Wat Muen San To Hotel, 2.5km

PART 2:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/j9179BJBGfa8H3YC7 2.5km, 46min, Wat Kuan Khama, Wat Rajmontean, Wat Lok Moli, Wat Chiang Yeun, Wat Chiang Man, 3 Kings Monument,

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan

King Phayu was the fifth ruler of the Mengrai dynasty of the Lanna kingdom and ruled from 1336 until 1355. He started the construction of the temple in 1345 to house the ashes of his father, King Khamfu. Initially, its name was Wat Phra Chiang (วัดพระเชียง) although the Chiang Mai Chronicle mentions Wat Li Chiang Phra.

Several buildings were added a few years later including a wihan. It is the assembly hall where monks and laypeople congregate. The temple may have been the first monastery to house the Emerald Buddha, which later resided in Wat Chedi Luang. This Buddha image is now enshrined in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok

Entry 50 Baht, It is home to gold and copper Buddhas, ancient manuscripts, and intricate murals. The temple's main attraction is the Phra Phutta Sihing Buddha statue Wat Pha Bong (Mangkhalaram)

Wihan Lai Kham below...Statue of Kruba Srivichai in front of the viharn. Kruba Srivichai, the “monk engineer” initiated extensive renovations during the 1920s

 It houses the North's most revered Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Sihing which is enshrined in Vihan Lai Kham, a chapel that features exquisite woodcarvings and northern style murals.

 main assembly hall (Wihan Luang)

The central golden altar houses the revered Phra Buddha Sihing statue, considered one of Thailand's most important Buddha images.

Monk Figures: The lifelike figures of seated monks seen on the raised platforms on either side of the main altar are wax figures.

Chedi Than Chang Lom...giant gilded stupa with protruding elephants on all sides.

 Wat Phan Tao

Wat Phan Tao is famous for being made of teak. The dark wood makes the interior dark. main assembly hall (viharn)

Wat Phan On

Inthakhin (city pillar) [Men only shrine]

Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine (Ho Inthakhin), located within the grounds of the Wat Chedi Luang temple complex

 The Inthakhin (city pillar) is a highly sacred object in Lanna culture, believed to be the city's foundation stone and protector.

The highly ornate, golden shrine houses a standing Buddha statue known as Phra Chao Attarot, which dates back to the 14th century. The surrounding walls are covered with vibrant murals depicting various Buddhist stories and Lanna culture.

 this specific shrine prohibits women from entering to preserve the sanctity of the pillar. 

Wat Chedi Luang

 completed around 1475. The main stupa was once the largest religious structure in Chiang Mai, reaching around 82 meters in height before an earthquake in the 16th century caused damage.

 The temple once housed the famous Emerald Buddha statue for nearly a hundred years. The main prayer hall (viharn) contains a standing Buddha statue called Phra Chao Attarot, made in the 14th century.

We decided to go back to check in and move our bags into our apt, it was 3 PM , we had to return our car by 6 at the airport

Modern stuff in the town...

Baan Ploy Inn 2 studio Chiang Mai

Great apt in old town

we resumed our temple visits 

Wat Loi Kroh

Wat Loi Kroh, located in the heart of downtown Chiang Mai on Loi Kroh Road, is a 500-year-old temple with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. Originally known as Wat Hoi Khor, it was built during the reign of the sixth king of the Mengrai Dynasty established by people who migrated from the Chiang Saen area.

Wat Buppharam 

Wat Buppharam has a towering wood Buddha. The temple, built in 1497, features an ordination hall, viharas,a Dhamma hall, and a chedi. Visitors can seek blessings from monks and relax on benches under the shade while enjoying the beautiful views.

With a lot of the buildings built in the 1800s with Burmese influence, this temple is rich in ornaments and colours There are many different things to see here—a wooden building with mirrored mosaics, a large chedi and amazing carvings everywhere 

It was 5:30, we drove to the airport, returned our car. [no signs at the airport for car returns, we parked at the main parking and rang up our rental guy to come over and sign us off]. We had a bit of a wait for grab taxi to take us back to our apt

Though we had a late start we had managed to see some very beautiful temples. We had a 7am flight to Bangkok the next day. So packed and slept off

Report continues here

https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2026/01/thailand-trip-report-day-11-bangkok-wat.html