Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is generally described as the first temple of Chiang Mai. King Mangrai built it in 1297 on the site of an earlier fortified Lawa settlement, which he had used as his camp while the new capital was being laid out. A stone inscription in front of the ordination hall records the founding of the city itself, on 12 April 1296 at 4 in the morning, which makes the temple a good place to start if you want to understand where Chiang Mai began.

The oldest structure in the compound is Chedi Chang Lom, the elephant chedi. Its square base supports a second tier from which the front halves of fifteen life-sized brick and stucco elephants emerge, so the upper levels appear to rest on their backs. Above them, a gilded bell-shaped section holds the relic chamber.

Two small images make the temple especially important to local Buddhists. Phra Sila is a stone relief of the Buddha taming the elephant Nalagiri; its origins are debated, with India and Sri Lanka both suggested. It is believed to bring rain and features in Songkran celebrations. Phra Sae Tang Khamani, the Crystal Buddha, is only about 10 centimetres tall and carved from clear quartz; its date is also disputed. In 1874 King Inthawichayanon added a gold-covered base and canopy.

The current ordination hall dates from the 19th century, although the stele records restoration back in 1571. Compared with Wat Chedi Luang or Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man tends to be quieter, so it suits visitors who want time to look properly. Cover shoulders and knees and remove your shoes in the halls.

Allow around 30 to 45 minutes. The temple lies inside the moat of the Old City, so it fits easily into a walking tour of the other Old City temples.

If you are planning a full day of temples, Wat Chiang Man makes a logical first stop, because it is where the story of the city begins. Seeing the founding inscription and the elephant chedi first gives useful context for the later and larger temples, such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, which were built as the Lanna kingdom grew in wealth and power.