Wat Chiang Man

Thought to be Chiang Mai's oldest wat, this was built during the 14th century by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai, on the spot where he first camped. Like many of the wats in Chiang Mai, this complex reflects many architectural styles. Some of the structures are pure Lanna. Others show influences from as far away as Sri Lanka; notice the typical row of elephant supports around the small stupa behind the viharn. Wat Chiang Man is most famous for its two Buddhas: Phra Sae Tang Khamani (a miniature crystal image also known as the White Emerald Buddha) and the marble Phra Sila Buddha. Unfortunately, the small viharn that safeguards these religious sculptures (to the right as you enter) is almost always closed.

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