Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, older even than the city.

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Wat Chiang Man: Unveiling the Secrets of Chiang Mai’s Historical and Cultural Heritage

Older than Chiang Mai itself, Wat Chiang Man is the city’s very first temple and a timeless testament to Lanna heritage. Established in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai, the temple served as his residence while overseeing the construction of the new capital. Despite its modest size and slightly hidden location in the Old City, Wat Chiang Man remains one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, a place where history, spirituality, and artistry converge.

📜 The Name and Origins

The name “Chiang Man” translates as “City Stable,” symbolizing strength and permanence—an auspicious title for the royal temple of a brand-new city. The temple grounds once housed King Mengrai’s encampment, which later evolved into a sacred site sanctifying the birth of Chiang Mai.

A stone inscription preserved near the ordination hall confirms this history. Dated to 1581, it not only recounts the city’s foundation on April 12, 1296, but also records multiple restorations in 1471, 1558, 1571, and 1581. This makes Wat Chiang Man one of the rare temples in Thailand where visitors can literally read the story of a city’s birth.

chiang man temple, wat chiang man, The Phra Sila Buddha image wat chiang man

🙏 Sacred Buddha Images

Phra Sila: A bas-relief stone stele depicting a standing Buddha in the Subduing Nalagiri posture. Believed to have originated from Sri Lanka over a thousand years ago, it is revered for its rain-bringing powers.
Phra Saetang Khamani (The Crystal Buddha): Crafted from clear quartz and dating back over a millennium, this small but powerful image once belonged to Queen Chamathewi of Lamphun, consort of King Mengrai.
Phra Chao Um Ong (Standing Buddha with Alms Bowl): Located in the main viharn, this bronze Buddha, dated to 1465, is considered the oldest known Lanna-style standing Buddha image.

🏯 Architectural Highlights

Chiang Man temple is a compact but rich complex with several important structures:

chiang man temple, wat chiang man, Chedi Chang Lom wat chiang man

The Chedi Chang Lom, One interesting aspect of the temple is its chedi (pagoda) which has 15 lifesize elephant carvings incorporated into its base. The Standing Buddha statue at the temple is the oldest Lanna kingdom statue known. An inscription dates it to 1465. The podium of the stupa was decorated with 16 elephants, influenced from Sukhothai art style. The stairs decorated with Naka is at the front of the stupa, leading to the arch. The top of the stupa is the golden bell-shaped stupa. There is also the Tripitaka Hall situated in the middle of the pond for storing tripitaka and scriptures according to Lanna style of construction and folk wisdom.

A stone inscription near the door of the ordination hall (bot) is dated 1581. It includes a history of the town and monastery, as well as a list of donors to the temple. It confirms that the temple was founded by King Mengri and that it was restored in 1471, 1558, 1571, and 1581.

Located in the heart of Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Man consists of two modest-sized meditation halls (wihaan) and an interesting gold-topped chedi along with the usual other temple buildings.

chiang man temple, wat chiang man, Main Viharn wat chiang man

The larger viharn has a beautiful golden facade. The Main Viharn was renovated in 1926 by Khru Ba Srivichai (1878-1938), who accomplished many such works during his lifetime and is considered a Lanna Saint. When we were there the inside of the temple was being festooned for an up-and-coming almsgiving ceremony the following day. The two things that most impressed me were first, the glasswork at the temple, and secondly the elegant murals on the walls. The scenes are described in quite some detail by the writing on them, but it is all in Lanna script, which only a very few people know nowadays.

chiang man temple, wat chiang man, small Viharn and Ho Trai wat chiang man

The smaller viharn is built in Lanna style contains two small, but very old and important Buddha images (Phra Sila Buddha image). The stairs to the viharns entrance are guarded by Nagas, a mythical snake like creature. South of the chedi with a red balcony and raised white base to protect the manuscripts is the temple library or Ho Trai where the wat’s Buddhist scriptures are kept is a fairly small wooden building on top of a white stone base to protect the scriptures from flooding and pests. This Ho Trai is a lot less elaborate than the one at the Wat Phra Singh. Which records the foundation of Chiang Mai on April 12, 1296 at 4:00 am.

🌿 The Atmosphere and Experience

Though not the largest temple in the city, Wat Chiang Man offers a unique atmosphere of tranquility. The temple’s red-lacquered wooden structures, decorated with gold leaf and colored glass mosaics, glow beautifully under the tropical sun. Wandering its shaded courtyards, visitors feel an intimate connection to Chiang Mai’s origins—more authentic and contemplative than at the busier temples nearby.

🕰️ Practical Information

Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free (donations appreciated)
Dress Code: Respectful attire required (no sleeveless shirts, shorts, or see-through clothing).
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible in most areas of the complex.

🚕 How to Get There

Wat Chiang Man is located in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old City on Ratchapakhinai Road.

On Foot: Easily accessible for anyone staying within the Old City walls. From Chang Puak Gate, turn left onto Ratchapakhinai Road; the temple lies about 200 meters ahead on the right.
By Tuk-Tuk or Songthaew: Simply mention “Wat Chiang Man,” and local drivers will take you directly.
With a Tour: Many Chiang Mai tours include Wat Chiang Man as part of a city temple route, often paired with other famous sites.