Wat Phra Singh

Posted by Northerner on July 29th, 2011 filed in Attractions

Lion Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Singh in Thai) is one of Chiang Mai’s most famous Buddhist temples, and destination for worshippers and visitors to the city. The temple dates from the 1340s and was founded by King Pha Yu to hold the remains of King Kham Fu, his father.

The temple is the location of the Lion Buddha Statue, from which it took its name, and was the site of the Emerald Buddha which is now enshrined in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew. Although the Emerald Buddha is long gone, the Lion Buddha and another magnificent statue that dates from soon after the temple was built remain.

The lofty red-roofed main chapel (viharn luang) was rebuilt in 1925 and houses a large sitting Buddha effigy, Phra Chao Thong Tip, which was cast from gold and copper. The Lion Buddha effigy, now lacking its head, is in the Gilded Hall and is surrounded by 200-year-old wall murals depicting religious heritage.

There are a number of other interesting religious chapels and chedis contained within the large temple compound. Vendors offer traditional ice-cream, fruit juices and meat balls here. The temple monastery is home to 700 saffron-robed monks who always seem keen to practice their English with foreign tourists.