Making Merit @ Chiangmai~~Wat Chai Mongkol

This temple is about 8minutes walk from Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel

I've heard of this temple but it wasn't in the list that Kruba gave me. To our surprise, it's only 8min walk from the hotel we stayed. Guess it's all fated. We missed the monk along the roadside, hence a nice lady brought us to the temple.

Knowing that we have never make merit to monks in the morning,
this sweet lady offer to bring us to the market @5.45am to make purchase of food for the monk. She even taught us what to do after we place the food into the alm bowl (simple, just kneel down and the monk will do a chanting for us)

This must be the 8th monk we had offered. We had offered to few of them outside the market before we came over.

Wat Chaimongkol is one of the oldest community monasteries in chiangmai. It was founded around 600 years ago, as the power and influence of the Lanna kingdom was emerging at the time of strong King Tilokkaraj. Shrines and artefacts were added by the various ethinic groups using the temple - Burmese, Laos - note the imposing Chinese shrine with its goddess of mercy statue. the boat landng was the main Chiangmai arrival and departure point for visiting royalty and merchants of substance. the statue of Rama V, King Chulalongkorn, is a popular spot for Thai devotees.

This temple is located on the bank of Ping River. This temple was constructed during the reign of King Tilokkaratch. During the occupation of Chiang Mai by Burma this temple was called Wat Oop Pa Peng or Wat Oop Pa Pok. Later King RamaV changed the name to Wat Chia Mong Kol. The pagoda of this temple is built in Burmese style.

Tel. 053-214728

Chiangmai 10th Temple~~Wat Phrajao Mengrai

This 4.5m tall statue was cast in 1320and said to be the likeness of King Mengrai.

The smiling Abbot of Wat Phrajao Mengrai. The the monk is Narat, from Wat Don Chan.

Wat Jao Mengrai was built in the city of Chiangmai shortly after Wat Chiang Mun was completed. When the big Buddha image was being carried through the city to the new temple site, the carriage broke and the image fell to the ground. Out of superstition, King Mengrai decided to build another temple on the spot.

This temple was built in the city of Chiang Mai shortly after Wat Chiang Mun was completed. When the big Buddha image was being carried through the city to the new temples site. The carriage broke and the image fell to the ground. Out of superstition, King Mangri decided to build another temple on the spot. It was there that, later, King Mangrai was struck by lightning and died.

The Abbot here is really VERY friendly, although he is limping ( only notice it when he was sitting with us, he lost few of his toes), he was busy walking around bring us water, poster and some brochure on the history of the temple. He was really very excited trying very hard to talk to us despite the language barrier. Then this is when Pinum come into the picture, trying to be the interpreter.

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 9th Stop~~Wat Meun Larn Gong

This is very common is Chiang Mai Temple. You will see small chedi of sand placed in the temple compound. This is a symbolic return of the sand carried out on the soles of shoes and feet of the people, usually this is done during the Songkran Festival. The sand is made into a small chedi for the next day.

This is the "Money" temple which the old monk told me. I hope not only after praying we have money, of course also blessed us with good health and good luck!

Wat Muen Larnn Gong is located on San Larn Road. This temple was first constructed in the time of King Mengrai in local Lanna style. Many rich families in Chiang Mai sponsor this temple since its name. Muen Ngern Gong, means millionaire or riches.

Built in the period of King Kuena by Muen Ngern Kong (the Minister of Finance) circa 1339 - 1337, the site has an antique ordination hall made of wood.

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 8th Stop~~Wat Duang Dee

Wat Duang Dee is located on Phra Pok Klao Road. In the past this temple was called Wat Ton Mak Nue. The wiharn is designed in Lanna style.

The name of this temple means 'Good Luck' in Thai.

Wat Duang Dee dates back over 200 years. In 1761 the Chiang Mai Chronicle reported that a Monk from Wat Duang Dee became ruler of Chiang Mai at a time when it held its Independence for a short time before the Burmese returned to govern.

In 1819, the second ruling Prince of Chiang Mai, King Thammalangka had the Wat renovated and held a dedication ceremony.

Within its scripture hall there are, by all accounts beautiful gilded wood carvings.This temple displays a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of Northern Thailand.

Located at 228, Phra Pok Klao Road, Sriphum Sub-District

Tel: 053-273873

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 7th Stop~~Wat Chiang Yuen

Wat Chiang Yuen is located outside the city wall on Mani Nopharat Road. Wat Chiang Yuen is one of oldest temples in Chiang Mai where every King had to pay homage to the Buddha image called "Phra Suppunyu Chao" (located in the wiharn) in order to gain good fortune in life. Hence, it is believed that the words "Chiang Yeun" means "long life."

In the period of King Phra Muangkaew (A.D. 1495-1525) the Buddha relics were enshrined in the stupa. The temple was abandoned after the Burmese defeat. Later on it was rebuilt by Phraya Wachiraprakarn. The big white and golden stupa is the most striking feature of this temple. Tel. 053-211654.

One of the older monk who brought us there was telling us this temple mean"long life" and another temple was More money! Well, there is always lots of interesting stories behind each temple in Thailand. That's what made them so interesting!

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 6th Stop~~Wat Suan Dok

Just beyond the walls of the old city on the west side stands Wat Suan Dok, which dates back to the 14th century. Built by the King of Lanna on the grounds of his pleasure garden, this temple was originally intended to serve as a retreat for a revered monk from Sukothai.
This temple is a wonderful place for photography and has spectacular vistas of Doi Suthep at sunset. Wat Suan Dok also figures heavily in the legend of Doi Suthep's founding. A Buddha relic was to be housed in its central chedi when it broke in two. The other half was placed on the back of a white elephant, which climbed Doi Suthep and then died.
Doi Suthep was founded on the site of the elephant's demise. This temple is also noteworthy for being the final resting place of many of Chiang Mai's Lanna rulers. Behind the main hall of the temple is a city of small, whitewashed chedis which house the ashes of the kings of Lanna.

松达寺（Wat Suan Dok）位于市区素贴路，建于14世纪，周围是兰那泰王朝君王的御花园，国内有许多优美的白色宝塔，内藏清迈王族的骨灰。中央一座巍峨大佛塔里，据说仍保藏着佛祖遗骨。此寺造型简单，供奉一尊有500多年历史青铜打造的释迦牟尼佛像，是泰北最大金属佛像之一。
Note: didn't take many photo because it's Sooooooo HOT!

Wat Phra Singh

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 5th Stop~~Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh is located within the city walls, dates from 1345 and offers an example of classic northern Thai style architecture. It houses the Phra Singh Buddha, a highly venerated figure brought here many years ago from Chiang Rai. Visitors can also take part in meditation classes here.

This venerable temple, located at the end of Ratchadamnoen Road, is perhaps the most venerated in Chiang Mai, behind Doi Suthep. While the dusty parking lot and hordes of taxi drivers may be discouraging at first, this temple is certainly worth a look.
Although the main hall of the temple dates back to 1512 and is quite beautiful, the real attraction of this temple is the smaller Lai Kam worship hall behind it. This small building is a wonderful example Lanna (northern) architecture, especially the signature roof design, which is meant to represent a bird's wings.

The interior artwork has recently been restored, allowing visitors an excellent view into the lives of Chiang Mai's people hundreds of years ago. Housed within the Lai Kam is the Phra Singh Buddha image, considered the most sacred of Chiang Mai's Buddhas, which was brought to Thailand from Sri Lanka in the 1300s.

Open: daily, 06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free

帕辛寺（Wat Phra Singh）。帕辛寺是清迈城里最高等级的一间寺庙，也是清迈历史最优久的佛寺之一，由明莱王朝的帕邀王于1345年兴建寺院，具有悠久的历史。帕辛寺是清迈最美的木结构建筑：大门用复杂的木雕装饰，工艺精湛。神殿建筑美轮美奂的雕刻艺术，细腻精致，华丽辉煌，令游客赞叹不已，因此终年香火鼎盛，游客络绎不绝。据说寺院是模仿清迈的普拉新寺院而建的。寺院内供奉着 Phra Singh的佛像，院内殿堂里的壁画以当地古代服饰和风俗为内容，被认为是泰国北部传统艺术的代表作。

Wat Chedi Luang

Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok, there is no way we come so close to HIM.

Wax Statue of Archan Mun.

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 4th Stop~~Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang was founded in 1401 and is dominated by a large Lanna style chedi which took many years to finish. An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century and only two-thirds of it remain.

Built in 1391, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 8th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 44 meters (144 feet) wide and 86 meters (282 feet) tall and was the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred cultural treasure.
Damaged during an earthquake in 1545, the structure is still impressive with a naga (water serpent) staircase on each of its faces and wonderful statues of elephants adorning the base. Legend has it that if the gum tree just inside the entrance ever falls, a terrible disaster will occur. A special pulley system allows visitors to leave offerings and prayers atop the chedi. The temple is located on Phra Pokklao Road and is easy to find, since the chedi is one of the tallest buildings in the old city.

Chedi Chang Lom which is the oldest and most significant stupa in the temple compound. It is recorded that once King Mengrai, King Ngaam Muang from Payao and King Ruang of Sukothai had fully completed the construction of the new city and this temple then the chedi was erected upon the site of the original royal palace. Enshrined within the chedi is said to be a hair relic of the Lord Buddha. This is now referred to as ‘The Sacred Elephant Encircled Stupa’ for obvious reasons as it is supported by a veritable herd of these endearing animals. Atop the white chedi is a gold decorated top that is glistening in the sun against a clear blue sky this morning and looking a picture.

Open: daily, 06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
大佛塔寺（Wat Chedi Luang），创建于1411年，于清迈市内六大寺庙中最为著名，与帕辛寺（Wat Phra Singh）同为清迈地位最崇高的寺庙。寺内有一座宏大的四方形佛塔，始建于15世纪初，以后数次增建，高达85.4米，据说可远望千里。1545年，清迈发生一次大地震和大风灾，佛塔的尖顶一夜之间塌毁，露出塔内的金身佛像。寺内60米高的兰那风格佛塔建于1441年，毁于16世纪的一次地震，但依然是城内最宏伟的建筑。塔的南侧有6个象头雕像，其中5个都是后来用水泥修复的赝品，只有最右边用砖头砌成的是真品。可惜的是，经年的风吹日晒把鼻子和耳朵都吹走了。围绕着四方形佛塔走，在四方形佛塔的后面有两座殿堂。在每座殿堂中间的玻璃橱中端坐着身披迦裟的Chedi Luang寺高祖，目光炯炯，栩栩如生。寺有还尊佛像坐在玻璃大盒子里，开始我们都还以为是肉身舍利，不由得敬畏不已。后来问了寺内的工作人员才知道是蜡像。

Wat Chiang Man

This is one of the area i like most. You can see all these board tied on the tree, with meaningful quotes. This is the area where Novice can interact with the public.

Murals of stories of Buddha can be seen everywhere is the Hall .