(NST-101) CITY TEMPLES TOUR

Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist temples (called "wats" in Thai).

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep: the most famous temple in the area, standing on a hill to the north-west of the city. This temple dates from 1383. Its builders allegedly chose its site by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back and letting the elephant roam until it came across a place where it trumpeted and circled before lying down. The onlookers took this as marking an auspicious place in which to build the temple. The temple's location also affords superb views over the city on a clear day.

Wat Chiang Man: the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. King Mengrai lived here while overseeing the construction of the city. This temple houses two very important and venerated Buddha images - Phra Sila (a marble Buddha) and Phra Satang Man (a crystal Buddha).

Wat Phra Singh: located within the city walls, dates from 1345 and offers an example of classic northern Thai style architecture. It houses the Phra Singh Buddha, a highly venerated image, transferred here many years ago from Chiang Rai.

Wat Chedi Luang: founded in 1401 and dominated by the large Lanna style chedi which dates from the same time, but took many years to finish building. An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century, so now only two thirds of it remain.

Wat Ched Yot: located on the outskirts of the city, this temple, built in 1455, hosted the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1977.

Wiang Kum Kam: the site of an old city situated on the southern outskirts of Chiang Mai. King Mengrai used this city for ten years before the founding of Chiang Mai. The site has a large number of ruined temples.

Wat U-Mong: a forest and cave wat in the foothills in the west of the city, near Chiang Mai University.

Wat Suan Dok: a 14th century temple located just west of the old city-wall. The temple was built by the King 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 roughly translates to "field of flowers." There are several unique aspects to this temple. One is the temple's large ubosot, or ordination hall. The ubosot is unusual not only for its size, but also the fact that it is open on the sides rather than being totally enclosed. Secondly, the large number of chedis housing the cremated remains of the rulers of Chiang Mai. This temple is also the site of one of the most important monastic universities in Thailand, Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University.

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai built by King Mengrai in 1296. Wat Chiang Man houses a small famous Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao. A delightful ancient Chedi surrounded by elephants statues can also be seen at the temple.

Wat Phra Sing

Wat Phrasing is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. Originally named Wat Li Chiang, During Songkran, during SongKran, people come to the temple to splash water on the worshiped Buddha image name Phra Buddha Sing housed in Lai Kham Chapel, a beautiful ancient gilded chapel with delicate wood carvings and northern style murals.

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is located in the center of ChiangMai. This temple housed a tremendous Chedi originally 90 metres high, rebuilt after the partial damage carsed by an earthquake in 1545. The famous Emerald Buddha statues was housed in Wat Chedi Luang before being moved to Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeo. The front porch of the chapel is decorated with a magnificent Naga staircase.

Pick up time		Tour Fee			Duration
A.M.	P.M.	1 pax	2 paxs	3 paxs	Half Day
08:00	12:00	45 USD	23 USD	14 USD