Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Th Phra Pokklao; donations appreciated; 6am-6pm) An historic and venerable temple, Wat Chedi
Luang is built around a crumbling Lanna-style chedi (built in 1441) that was one of the
tallest structures in ancient Chiang Mai.
The famed Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), now held in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew,
resided in the eastern niche in 1475. Today there is a jade replica, given as a gift from the
Thai king in 1995 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the chedi and the 700th an-
niversary of the city.
Stories say that the chedi was damaged by either a 16th-century earthquake or by the
cannon fire of King Taksin in 1775 during the recapture of Chiang Mai from Myanmar. A
restoration was financed by Unesco and the Japanese government in the 1990s. The res-
toration work is easily spotted: new porticoes and naga (mythical serpent) and new
Buddha images in three of the four directional niches. On the southern side of the monu-
ment, five elephant sculptures in the pediment can be seen. Four are cement restorations;
only the one on the far right - without ears and trunk - is original brick and stucco. The
restoration efforts also stopped short of creating a new spire, since no one knows for sure
how the original superstructure looked. Regardless, a slow stroll around the massive walls
of the chedi is quite meditative.
Wat Chedi Luang's other prominent attraction is the làk meu·ang (city pillar, believed to
house the city's guardian deity) enshrined in a small building to the left of the compound's
main entrance.
In the main wí·hăhn is the standing Buddha, known as Phra Chao Attarot, flanked by
two disciples, both renowned for meditation and mysticism.
Wat Phan Tao
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
(Th Phra Pokklao; donations appreciated; 6am-6pm) This pretty little temple evokes mist-shrouded
forests and the largesse of the teak trade. The main wí·hăhn is constructed entirely of
moulded teak panels supported by 28 gargantuan teak pillars. Coloured mirror mosaics
decorate naga bargeboards, and the facade's primary ornamentation of a peacock over a
dog, represents the astrological year of the former royal resident's birth.
On display inside are old temple bells, ceramics, a few old northern-style gilded
wooden Buddha statues, and antique cabinets stacked with old palm-leaf manuscripts.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Sunday Walking Street
MARKET
Search WWH ::




Custom Search