Wat Phra That Haripunchai Woramahawihan - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Located in attractive countryside about five kilometres south of Chiang Mai along the Ping River, Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city dating back to the eighth-century Haripunchai Kingdom. Later on it served as the capital of the then Lanna Kingdom for a short while until Chiang Mai was chosen to replace it in 1296.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or just Night Bazaar is directly east of the city moat, between it and the Ping River, on Chang Khlan Road, between Tha Phae and Sridonchai Roads. It is known for its handicrafts and portrait paintings. There are also jewelry, toys, clothing, and high tech items such as CDs and DVDs. The market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai.

Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi was built sometime between 1385 and 1402, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 7th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty and is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 60 metres across at the square base and 80 metres tall and was once the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred religious relic.

Wat Phra Singh is perhaps the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It houses three main structures, the main attraction being the elegantly decorated Lai Kam assembly hall and its restored murals depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago. Located inside the old city wall, at the western end of Ratchadamnoen Road, the temple’s signature Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn invite visitors.

Wat Suan Dok, built in the late 14th century, houses several structures of historical significance. Among them include the principal pagoda that enshrines the Buddha’s relics, a garden of whitewashed mausoleums housing the ashes of late Chiang Mai rulers, and a large open-air wiharn . The temple is found outside the old city wall, about 1km east of Suan Dok Gate on Suthep Road. Built by a King of Chiang Mai on the grounds of his pleasure garden.

Wat Chiang Man is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple and holds some important Buddhist images including a famous crystal Buddha. Construction on the temple started in 1306 although several parts were added in later centuries so the temple complex has lots of different styles of architecture side by side. There are two main meditation halls in Wat Chiang Man, both extensively decorated in gold and red with images of the Buddha. Inside the larger hall is Chiang Mai’s oldest Buddha image, a standing Buddha