Chiangmai…The biggest province in the top north of Thailand. Honestly, I never think of to have vacation here because I spent 4 years here for my university degree. I know every corner on the city and always thought that it was just my home. Anyhow, after my graduation almost 15 years, I think of the life when I was staying there. It had many places where I just visited but never focused to spend time there. So, I decided to have the quick trip during my weekend to catch the night bus to Chiangmai and stay there for a night before take the bus back to Bangkok. For this trip, I would visit 9 temples in Chiangmai City because I had only single day, visiting the temples could make me feel calm and absorb the true atmosphere of Chiangmai.

The trip was started by catching the night bus, First class bus by Sombat Tour. It was departed Bangkok – Mochit 2 at 9PM and arrived in Chiangmai Bus Station 3 (Arcade) at 7AM in next day. Upon arrival, I walked to SK Service Shop to rent the scooter. The shop is located only 5 minutes walk from bus station. The rental cost was only 300 – 500 THB/day (about 10 – 15 USD), depended on the model. After I get the scooter, I was ready to start my mission !

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The first place of the day was Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Thai : วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) which is the temple located on Suthep Mount. We could see this temple from everywhere in Chiangmai, it makes this temple is the icon of Chiangmai. The temple is 21 km away from Bus Station. It took about 45 minutes by scooter. The road to the temple is smooth but it is slope and curvy, be very careful and rider must be skillful. I arrived there at 8.30AM.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most important temple in Chiangmai. it was built in 1383 on the Suthep Mount, 1,073 meters above sea-level. Locals would say, you have not really gone to Chiang Mai unless you have been to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The beauty of this temple is marked by seven-headed serpent statues that line the stairs to the temple where a Chiang Saen style golden pagoda is situated. From the temple, if the sky is clear, the visitor can enjoy the breathtaking view of Chiangmai City. From the parking area, the visitor who is feeling energetic can walk up 306 steps by the stairway to the temple. However, it has cable car service for the visitor who is not comfortable to walk. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is open daily from 6AM to 6PM. The entrance fee for foreigner was 30 THB/person (about 1 USD).

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I spent about 45 minutes at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to stroll around the admire the beautifulness of the temple and think of my student life when I could see the golden pagoda everyday. Then, I rode the scooter down back to Chiangmai and moved to the second temple of the day, Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Thai : วัดพระธาตุดอยคำ) which is 25 km away. it took about an hour to get there.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham is located on Doi Kham Hill. It was created more than 1,300 years ago.  The temple has three big Buddha statues in different positions: standing, sitting and reclining. Furthermore, the most sacred and famous thing here is Luang Poor Thun Jai (The instance success Buddha) what the worshippers believe that The Buddha will give everything they pray immediately. Apart from that there are numerous statues and images of deities, hermits and guardian spirits. Wat Phra That Doi Kham is open daily from 8AM – 5PM with free admission.

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I did pray the Buddhas for my success and enjoy the atmosphere of the temple where many of Buddhists are visiting to pray for their wish. About 10.45AM, I moved myself to the third temple where is located just near to Chiangmai University, Wat U-Mong (Thai : วัดอุโมงค์). It took about 20 minutes to get there from Wat Phra That Doi Kham.

Wat U-Mong was built in 1297 by King Mangrai of the Lan Na dynasty which is situated in a rustic forest. It has tunnels dug out of a mound contains shrines with Buddha images, where devotees can pay their respect to the Buddha (U-Mong is Thai language means Tunnel). On top of the mound has a large and circular bell shaped Lanna Style Pagoda. This temple is also well-known as Mediation Center too. Wat U-Mong is open daily, 8AM – 5PM with no entrance fee.

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I strolled around Wat U-Mong and enjoyed the ancient architecture until noon. Frankly speaking, I stayed in Chiangmai for 4 years, but I never visit this temple. Visiting this time made me feel slightly regret but it made me fulfill my will too. Next, I said goodbye to Wat U-Mong and hopped my scooter to the fourth temple, Wat Suan Dok (Thai : วัดสวนดอก). It took about where is only 10 minutes away.

Wat Suan Dok is a Royal Temple of the Third Class that came with the Lanna kingdom. It was built in the latter half of the 14th century by King Kue Na, the ruler of the Lanna Kingdom at the time. The temple has large chapel and the ordination hall what were rebuilt during the 1930’s by the famous monk Kru Ba Srivichai. Nearby the chapel, it has the pagoda with outstanding beauty what was built in 1916, in Lanka-Sukhothai style. Furthermore, over the years, this temple has served as a burial ground for the Lanna royal family (white stupas), making it a place of significance and reverence. Wat Suan Dok is open daily, 6AM – 9PM with free admission for visitor.

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About 12.30PM, I left Wat Suan Dok and moved to another temple inside the city moat (old town quarter) which is the fifth temple, Wat Phra Singh (Thai : วัดพระสิงห์). Now, I have gathered all temples I wished outside the old town quarter already. From fifth to ninth temples, they are located not too far from each other. Wat Phra Singh is just 2 km from Wat Suan Dok, it took only 5 minutes by scooter.

Wat Phra Singh is also known as “The Monastery of the Lion Buddha”. It was built in 1345 when Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. It is one of the finest examples of classic Lanna style temple architecture in Northern Thailand. It houses the North s most revered Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Sihing which is enshrined in Viharn Lai Kham, a Chapel that features exquisite woodcarvings and northern style murals. In addition, this temple grounds contain a number of classic Lanna style buildings. Wat Phra Singh is open daily 7AM – 10PM. The admission fee for foreigner was 20 THB/person (0.70 USD).

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I spent the time at Wat Phra Singh until 1PM before finding local food and sipping iced coffee at Starbuck inside the old town quarter of Chiangmai. Indeed, the sunlight during afternoon in Chiangmai is strong, I just wanted to stay escape from it and to recharge my energy before pursuing the next temples.

At 2.30PM, I did continue my trip to sixth temple, Wat Chedi Luang (Thai : วัดเจดีย์หลวง) which is only 800 m from Wat Phra Singh.

Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai what was constructed in 1481 during the reign of King Mengrai. It is famous for its enormous ruined pagoda, which is measured at 98 meters height and 54 meters width (at the base). The ordination hall located in the front is also an example of beautiful Lanna architecture with its serpents are probably one of the most remembered elements. Wat Chedi Luang is open daily, 7AM – 10PM. The entrance fee for foreigner was 40 THB/person (1.25 USD).

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Next to Wat Chedi Luang (only 100 meters away), it has a small but beautiful temple which is my seventh temple of the day, Wat Pan Tao (Thai : วัดพันเตา). It is known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordination hall (Viharn) entirely made of teakwood where the sacred Pan Tao buddha image is enshrined. This temple was a throne hall for King Mahotara Prateth, former ruler of Lanna kingdom. Wat Pan Tao is open daily, 8AM – 7PM with no admission fee.

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I admired Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Pan Tao until 3.30PM. Then, I hopped my beloved scooter to the eighth temple which is 1.50 km away, Wat Lok Moli (Thai : วัดโลกโมฬี). This temple is not known when it was built but it is first mentioned in a charter in 1367 as a home base for a group of Burmese monks invited to come to Chiang Mai to teach Buddhism. It has the large pagoda which was constructed in 1527. This pagoda was commissioned by the former king of the Lanna kingdom, Phra Kaew Muang. His ashes and the ashes of several other member of the Mengrai Dynasty are entombed within the pagoda. Furthermore, this temple has graceful wooden ordinary hall which is a modern addition to the temple. The another thing what the visitor must not miss while visiting Wat Lok Moli is to pray for love with Phra Nang Chiraprapha (The goddess of love). Wat Lok Moli is open daily, 7AM – 7PM with free entry.

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Phra Nang Chiraprapha (The goddess of love)

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About 4.15PM, I left Wat Lok Moli and moved to the ninth temple to complete my 9-temples mission, Wat Chiang Mun (Thai : วัดเชียงมั่น) which is 1.50 km away (5 minutes by scooter).

Wat Chiang Mun is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. It was constructed in 1296 (728 years ago) by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. It is famous for its Lanna-style pagoda supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses. Moreover, it has beautiful Lanna-style ordination hall which enshrines an ancient Buddha image named Phra Kaew Khao. Wat Chiang Mun is open daily, 8AM – 5PM with no entrance fee for the visitor.

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At 5PM, after visiting Wat Chiang Mun, my mission was accomplished ! Then, I headed to the hotel what already booked to check-in, Chiang Mun Boutique Hotel which is just opposite to Wat Chiang Mun. I took a rest for a while and get refreshed. About 6.30PM, fortunately, it was Sunday, it has night market and walking street at Tha Pae Street which is in walking distance from the hotel (only 10 minutes).

Tha Pae Walking Street is open every Sunday from 5PM until 10PM. In my opinion, it is the biggest walking street in Thailand. The length of this walking street is extended more than 1 km. Actually, when I was a university student at Chiangmai, I often visit this walking street to find local food as well as admire the northern style merchandise and art. Strolling at Tha Pae Walking Street on Sunday evening is one of the best memory in my life. Fifteen years later since my graduation, nothing much change here. It still has its own charm and everything is still interesting.

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I spent my good time at Tha Pae Walking Street until 7.30PM by grabbing some local food, dessert and fruit as my dinner here. Again, every bite of food here remind me the good feeling. It made my day more than fulfilled 😍

Today, I could say that it is one of my memorable day. Even I really familiar with Chiangmai, but I never focus to have my leisure trip here. It was always overlooked. However, deciding to hopping 9-temples here and recalling my memoirs at Tha Pae Walking Street made me feel happy once again. It was like I meet long lost friend who never see for decade. Finally, Chiangmai had answered me why it always has millions of visitor here every year. Because Chiangmai can make visitor feel more than happy. 😊

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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