Description

This temple, founded by King Mengrai in 1296, is Chiang Mai's oldest and in fact was constructed concurrently with the old city. The large viharn features massive teak columns and lavish royal red-and-gold wall paintings. The smaller viharn to the right contains the famous crystal Buddha, Phra Setangamani, thought to originate from Lopburi about 1,800 years ago. Next to it sits the marble Buddha, Phra Sila, another venerated image dating back some 2,500 years. Also of interest is the 'sacred elephant encircled stupa,' located behind the large temple on what was the site of the King's residence 700 years ago.