While it doesn’t hold a candle to Wat Doi Suthep in terms of scenery, Wat Phra Singh is Chiang Mai’s most prestigious temple and therefore is the epicentre of the Songkran festivities among the Buddhist faithful.
Travel better, travel smarter
Save money, receive our latest updates and get the most out of your travels.
While there are an awful lot of temples in Chiang Mai, this is the big one—the main city temple and the most prestigious. If your temple saturation point is low then we’d suggest visiting both Wat Chedi Luang and here.
Classic lines. Photo: Mark Ord
Wat Phra Singh pretty much ticks all the temple boxes: It has attractive grounds full of old trees, some old bits, new bits, Lanna-style worshipping halls, a prestigious Buddha image, a reclining Buddha, jade Buddha and gold Buddhas, giant stupa, saffron-robed monks, murals, prayer flags and last but not least, sticky rice and ice cream in the car park.
The temple complex houses no fewer than three viharn (worshipping halls) where Buddha images are housed, a large ordination/prayer hall (ubosot), an attractive Lanna-style library and a large main stupa or chedi, as well as numerous subsidiary buildings and smaller shrines and chedis. It’s a large complex, and a very pleasant and photogenic spot for a stroll.
Touching the earth. Photo: Mark Ord
The temple is said to date from the mid-14th century, built by the Lanna king Pha Vu to house his father’s ashes. Its name and prestige derive largely from a highly venerated Buddha image, the Phra Phuttha Sihing, which according to legend was presented to Chiang Mai by a king of Sri Lanka (dates and routes vary, though it is thought it may have passed through Nakhon Si Thammarat ... Travelfish members only (Around 400 more words) ... please log in to read the rest of this story.
Don’t miss the boat!
Please subscribe to Travelfish.org to read the rest of this article, or log in here.
Subscribing to Travelfish costs A$35 per year and it gets you access to more than 200 downloadable guides to specific destinations, fabulous discount coupons and 50% off our personalised travel planning service. Sign up here.
By
Mark Ord.
Last updated on 24th August, 2017.
Popular hotels in Chiang Mai on Agoda
(537 reviews)
(1,193 reviews)
(5,759 reviews)
(1,518 reviews)
(1,916 reviews)
Location map for Wat Phra Singh
Popular attractions in Chiang Mai
A selection of some of our favourite sights and activities around Chiang Mai.
Best places to stay in Chiang Mai
A selection of some of our favourite places to stay in Chiang Mai.
What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Chiang Mai.
Check prices, availability & reviews on Agoda or Booking
Read up on where to eat on Chiang Mai.
Check out our listings of things to do in and around Chiang Mai.
Read up on how to get to Chiang Mai, or book your transport online with 12Go Asia.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Chiang Mai? Please read this.
Buy a SIM card for Thailand—pick it up at the airport when you arrive.
Browse the web securely while travelling with TunnelBear. Try with a 7–day free trial.
