Wat Chiang Man

Location: Ratchaphakhinai Rd, Si Phum, in the north side of the Old City of Chiang Mai.
Entry fee: free
Opening time: 06:00-18:00
Recommended time for a visit: 1-2 hours

Wat Chiang Man is the most time-honored temple in Chiang Mai which is as old as the city. It was sponsored by the King Mengrai who had also said to live in this temple when he was aged.

There are two Buddhism halls in Wat Chiang Man built in the old Lanna style. The larger one was a rebuilt in 1920 and had a standing Buddha casted in 1465 in the front of the butsudan, which is said the oldest Buddha statue found in Chiang Mai. In the smaller hall are two precious Buddha statues, Phra Sila and Phra Sea Tang Khamani, both are gods for making rains. Phra Sila is a basso-relievo statue suspected from Ceylon or Indian in 8th century. Phra Sea Tang Khamani is a small crystal Buddha measures only 10cm wide and 15cm high; it was made before King Mengrai’s offensive in Haripunchai; the king regarded it as quite important and carried it with him even in battles.

The most magnificent architecture in Wat Chiang Man is a pagoda supported by 15 cute elephants.

Tips: On April 1st every year, Wat Chiang Man holds religious activities and has a ceremony to have the statue Phra Sea Tang Khamani parade around the city.