Wat Umong

Posted by Northerner on November 26th, 2010 filed in Attractions

Wat Umong is one of the most intriguing of all the fascinating temples in Chiang Mai. Wat Umong is more than 700 years old, and has a spectacular setting with Doi Suthep as its background.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Wat Umong is its pristine natural setting. The temple is surrounded by a lake, trees and bushes, making it a particularly spiritual and tranquil place for visitors. A wonderful way to spend a day is to take a slow, peaceful walk around the temple and enjoy the stillness of the surrounds, and beauty of the scenery.

Wat Umong is also famous for its series of tunnels under and around the main chedis. These tunnels can be entered and explored. A number of important Buddha images are located in these tunnels.

For those interested in learning a bit more about Buddhism, Wat Umpong provides a unique opportunity to see some rare Buddha images. It is most famous for its image of the fasting Buddha. There are also many proverbs of the Lord Buddha posted around the temple grounds which are translated into English for visitors.

This temple is also highly recommended for anyone interested in meditation. Certainly, its serene natural surroundings make it a perfect place to learn and practice the art of meditation. There are many resident monks at Wat Umong who live, study and preach there. They are all very friendly, and many speak good English. They are happy to talk with you and answer any questions, making this a great chance to truly understand this important religious site in Chiang Mai.

To get to Wat Umong, it is best to take a songtaew, It is located near Chiang Mai University to the south. However, Wat Umong is very famous, so your driver will know where to go.