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Chiang Mai is located in Northern Thailand approximately 700 kilometers north of Bangkok,
first established as the capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom by King Mengrai. Chiang Mai is also the second largest city in Thailand. Filled with beautiful natural sceneries, this city also holds a lot of ancient temples. The most popular of these are Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, and the Wat Jet Yot.
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 metres, standing on a hill to the northwest of the city, is the most famous temple in the area. King Gua-Na built this temple in 1383. At the center of Phrathat Doi Suthep is a big Chedi (Spired Pagoda), which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. 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
Wat Chiang Man is 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 - the Phra Sila (a marble Buddha) and Phra Satang Man (a crystal Buddha).
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is located within the city walls,
dating back from 1345, offers an example of classic northern Thai style architecture. It is the most complete version of Lanna chapels which houses the Phra Singh Buddha, a highly venerated image, transferred here many years ago from Chiang Rai.
Wat Suan Dok
Wat Suan Dok is 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. Another unique aspect is the large number of chedis housing the cremated remains of
past Chiang Mai rulers. This temple is also the site of one of the most important monastic universities in Thailand,
the Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University.
Wat Jet Yot
Wat Jet Yot, meaning the “Temple of the Seven Spires,” was built by King Tilokkarat to imitate the Mahabodhi Temple in India. The Mahabodhi Temple in India is well respected because it is said Buddha reached enlightenment there. The temple is celebrated for its "Indian style", due to the fact that most Southeast Asian culture is deeply influenced by India, both its
religion and its resulting artistic forms. The Wat Jet Yot was host to the 9th world Buddhist council in 1477.
Lisu hill tribe village
The Lisu hill tribe village can also be found
near Chiang Dao, Pai, and Phrao. This particular hill tribe originated from Yunnan and is divided into six original patrilineal clans. A unique custom of the Lisu is having a shrine for a guardian spirit set above their villages. These spirit shrines are made for entities such as the sun, the moon, water, trees and etc., but most common, there made for ancestors. The Lisu people dressings are very colourful and flowery.
Elephant Training Camp at Taeng Dao
Enjoy exciting football matches by energetic young elephants. Laugh as you see them take a playful bath in the river. You will have a chance to purchase interesting paintings made by the intelligent elephants. Don’t miss the optional elephant ride around the jungle.
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