Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
age, Phra Singh (Lion Buddha), and it has a fine collection of classic Lanna art and
architecture.
Phra Singh is housed in Wihan Lai Kham, a small chapel to the rear of the temple
grounds next to the
chedi
(stupa). The exterior chapel displays the Lanna charac-
teristics of a three-tiered roofline and carved gables. Inside, the temple features
sumptuous
lai·krahm
(gold pattern) stencilling on its interior back wall.
Wat Phra Singh's main
chedi
displays classic Lanna style with its octagonal base.
It was built by King Pa Yo in 1345 in honour of his father. Closer to the entrance is
the main
wí·hăhn,
which houses a bigger but less important Buddha known as
Thong Thip.
CHIANG MAI CITY ARTS & CULTURAL CENTRE
Museum
( 0 5321 7793; Th Ratwithi; adult/child 90/40B; 8.30am-5pm Tue-Sun)
The
Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre offers a fine primer on Chiang Mai history.
The 1st floor has engaging displays on religious and cultural elements of northern
Thailand. The 2nd floor rooms have been converted into historic settings: there's an
early Lanna village, a temple and a train display. From the 2nd floor you can see
more of the beauty of this post-colonial building, Chiang Mai's former Provincial
Hall, originally built in 1924. It was awarded a Royal Society of Siamese Architects
award in 1999 for its faithful architectural restoration.
WAT CHEDI LUANG
Temple
( Th Phra Pokklao; donations appreciated)
Another venerable stop on the temple
trail, Wat Chedi Luang is built around a partially ruined Lanna-style
chedi
dating
from 1441. It is believed to have been one of the tallest structures in ancient Chiang
Mai. The famed Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew), now held in Bangkok's Wat Phra
Kaew (
Click here
), sat in the eastern niche here in 1475. Today there is a jade rep-
lica sitting in its place, financed by the Thai king and carved in 1995 to celebrate the
600th anniversary of the
chedi
(according to some reckonings), and the 700th an-
niversary of the city.
Wat Chedi Luang's other prominent attraction is the
làk meu·ang
(city pillar, be-
lieved to house the city's guardian deity) enshrined in a small building to the left of
the compound's main entrance. Have a chat to the monks while you are here (see
boxed text,
Click here
).
