Attraction

The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, located in the very center of the Old City. Its chedi in the shape of an elephant has stood in place for more than 700 years. A chedi (stupa) is a Buddhist sacred structure—sometimes solid, sometimes with an entrance; they are usually built to commemorate an important event. King Mengrai, founder of the Lanna kingdom, began building Chiang Mai in 1296 from this spot, and Wat Chiang Man was the city’s first temple. The viharn in the complex has preserved its original form: a two-tiered roof decorated with naga (serpent) motifs, slightly flaring downward. A viharn is a type of hall that houses important images of the Buddha; a chedi may have only one chamber (if any), while a viharn can have several. The interior is divided by rows of teak pillars. Notable Buddha images include a large gilded statue, the bas-relief Phra Sila (6th century, stylistically attributed to Ceylon), which the abbot shows to the faithful only once a year during a festival, and Phra Sae Tang Khamani (the Crystal Buddha), reportedly gifted in 663 to Queen Hariphunchai Chamathewi.