Wat Chedi Luang

Location: Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Entry fee: free
Opening time: 06:00-18:00
Recommended time for a visit: 1-2 hours

The temple Wat Chedi Luang is the most important among Chiang Mai’s Six Famous Temples, and enjoys the same statue as the temple Wat Phra Singh.

The lofty Lanna style Buddhism pagoda of Wat Chedi Luang was originally built in 1411 and hightened for several times and reached 85.4 meters high eventually. In 1545, there happens an earthquake in Chiang Mai which destroyed the spire of the pagoda and the golden Buddha exposed outside. The majestic square pagoda is quite different from others in its shape and has four similar patterns in its four directions. The Five Dragon stone statue under the pagoda is more heart-shaking with peculiar posture, exquisite workmanship and full of arrogance. In the south side of the pagoda are six elephant statues, the rightmost of which is the remain while other fives are substitutes made of concrete.

Behind the pagoda are two halls; in each of them is a true to life wax statue of a sitting eminent monk wearing kasaya with eagle eyes.