Wat Phra Singh

Location: Sri Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Entry fee: free
Opening time: 06:00-18:00

Built in 1345 by king Pa Yo in honor of his father, Wat Phra Singh is the largest-scale and most visited Buddhism temple in Chiang Mai which enjoys the same highest statues in the city as Wat Chedi Luang. Embraced by luxuriant cypresses and pines, with centuries-old trees reaching up towards the sky, the temple is so reputed for enshrining the city’s most revered Buddha Phra Singh, the Lion Buddha.

The entire temple is in quadrate with 4 Buddhism halls in four directions connecting by a corridor. Each hall enshrines a golden Buddha and the main hall enshrines three Buddhas which are considered to be most spiritual in North Thailand. There is a bronze Buddha statue of early Lanna style enshrined in the temple which is said travelled from Chiang Lai in 1400. On the walls are found vivid murals of Buddhism stories, ancient local costume, folklore, and exquisite wooden carvings. They are superb Buddhism artworks and the master works of Northern Thailand’s traditional art.

Tips: Wat Phra Singh is one of the main sites to celebrate the annual Water Festival in Thailand from April 13th to 15th.