Palaces and Temples, Chiang Mai

4 more images

This temple is located on the southern side of the old city, just beyond the moat in the Wualai Road area. It was built between 1495 and 1515 but was destroyed and looted several times when Chiang Mai was under Burmese occupation. Close to the main viharn is a large stone tablet that is at least 500 years old. The language inscribed on the tablet is Faak Kham which is very ancient and pre-dates the languages of Lanna and Kham Muang. Inside the temple, the richness of colour in the ceiling and carpets are the perfect setting for the murals painted by two visiting artists, from Australia and the United Kingdom, who worked alongside Thai artists during the months it took to bring the murals to life.

In the area around the temple, skilled craftsman are working on all kinds of decorative items of silverware. In fact, one of the temple buildings is decorated in shining silver as an example of their art and craftsmanship.

At the south west corner of the Three Kings Monument square on Inthawororot Road is the site of the former temple and original location of the Chiang Mai pillar - Wat Sadoe Muang, which means "temple of the navel of the city". According to legend the site was a former grove where Mangrai saw two fearless white deer drive off a pack of hunting dogs. He took this as an auspicious omen for the sitting of the city. The only remains of the temple are two chedi. An inscription nearby dates the octagonal chedi back to the 14th century.

3 more images

A unique local temple is the 16th-century Wat Chiang Yeun outside the north-eastern corner of the old city. Besides the large northern-style chedi here, the main attraction is an old Burmese colonial-style gate and pavilion on the eastern side of the school grounds attached to the wat. The temple was abandoned when Chiang Mai was defeated by the Burmese but was later reconstructed in 1794.

4 more images

Spend some time walking if you can in Chiang Mai.
One area I found that had some really nice Temples was along Thanon Si Phum and across the moat on the other side located on Thanon Mani Nopharat.

Located on Thanon Si phum there was......
A new Temple "Morn Thean Temple" which is quite impressive, and they are still building the new Golden Buddha.
Next to this Wat is Wat Khuan Kha Ma. A little further along, is a glittering fence, then another Temple with Horses.
Located on Thanon Mani Nopharat is.......
Wat Lok Molee, Wat Chiang Yuen & Wat Pa Pao (has chedi, flag tower & Burmese styled altar)

There are some very nice ones amongst these.

2 more images

Located in the street that runs up the side of Wat Lok Molee Temple are a lot of wood carvings. These are beautifully done, and are in an open area, just outside the side entrance of the Wat.

Wat Lok Molee Temple is located in Mani Noppharat road, and this are in the side road.

4 more images

Bhubing Palace is the Royal winter residence and also the Royal guesthouse for State visitors from overseas.

The palace was built in 1961.

There are so many beautiful buildings and they are all constructed differently.

Some examples are the log cabin called Ruen Peek which is the seasonal residence of HRH Princess Chulabhorn.

Phra Tamnak Payak Sathit, the log cabin which was built with eucalyptus wood for HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

The Suan Suwaree Rose Garden would have to be the most beautiful and biggest rose garden I have ever seen and was constructed under instruction from the Queen.
The garden was planted in 1999 to commemorate the late Lady in Waiting Thanpuying Suwaree Taepakam.

Even the water reservoir is beautiful with colored lights, musical fountains etc.

Hire a golf cart and guide as the Palace grounds are huge and to far to walk around. They are very strict on the dress code. Knees, shoulders etc must be covered for both men and women. Clothing is available for hire at the entrance.

Palace entry 50baht each
300baht for golf cart & guide
10baht to hire clothes

Just outside the Palace is a small shopping area and it’s pretty cheap, I bought 2 nice winter jackets here, one which is reversible for 600baht for the both.

Bhubing Palace is not far past Doi Sutep, just continue up the mountain. It is definitely worth a visit, I actually enjoyed it more than Doi Sutep.

3 more images

Chiang Mai is home to more than 300 Buddhist temples, some dating back to the 1300s. Among the ones in town either located in old town or within walking distance thereof that I found particularly interesting were Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Suan Dork.

If you time is short and/or you’re not interested in seeing too many Thai temples, skip the many other lackluster temples around, but don’t omit the incredibly impressive Wat Chedi Luang from your schedule. The most striking feature of this temple is its collapsed chedi from 1545.

While you’re in the area check out the fabulous Huen Phen. See my restaurant tips.