Chiang Mai - Wat Phra Singh

Chiang Mai's largest and most important temple, Wat Phra Singh, stands at what was the center of the old city, the main thoroughfare, Ratchadamnoen Road, leading directly to the precinct. It was built in 1345 by King Pa Yo whose father's ashes are preserved in the big chedi behind the wiharn.

The wiharn, built in 1518, has superb wood carvings on both gables, these however being of later origin. The exquisite little 14th c. library, in front of the wiharn to the right, is with justice regarded as a jewel of Thai architecture. Fine stucco work, intricately patterned and also with figures, decorates the white lower section, the red and gold woodwork surmounting it being ornately carved and further embellished with inlay.

The small bot next to the chedi was constructed about 1600 and therefore during the period of Burmese occupation (which presumably accounts also for the numerous lions, typical of Burmese temple architecture, which guard the entrance to the wat). The well-preserved frescos with their lively pictures date from the 19th c. They tell the story of Princess Phra Sang Tong (born in a golden shell), while at the same time depicting the everyday lives of royalty and the household of a palace.