Wednesday, May 6, 2009

CM Attractions: Temples

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep
Locals would says " You haven't been to Chiang Mai unless you've visited to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep" Truly, the place is the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent
royal regalia. The temples courtyard is lined by a cloister, which contains images and murals depicting Buddhas life. There are also two viharns situated in the middle of the east and west sides of the cloister. This temple is 15 kilometers from town and is 3,520 feet above sea level. It is the perfect place to get a birds eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or railcars.


Wat Pra Singh
Built in 1345, the tem
ple is located on Sam Lan Road.
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. Every year on April 13, Songkran Day, the image is paraded through the streets of Chiang Mai for local people to sprinkle scented water on. This area was formerly Wat Li Chiang Market until 1345, when King Pa Yu, the fifth king of the Meng Rai Dynasty commanded the construction of this temple and a 24-feet chedi to contain his father's ashes.


Wat Chiang Mun
The oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, Wat Chiang Man was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the f
ounder of Chiang Mai. The temple is famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao. Wat Chiang Man is situated off of Ratchapakhinai Road in the northeast corner of the old city.





Wat U-Mong
The te
mple was built in 1296 by King Meng Rai, and was renovated during the reign of King Keu Na. This famous meditation temple is unique in its large tunnel-like construction.



Reference: http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

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