Wat Phra Singh Temple Guide – Explore Chiang Mai’s Historic Treasure

Let visit and study the native Buddhist being at one of well-known Buddhism site in Chiang

🛕 Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan: The Beating Heart of Lanna in Chiang Mai

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, more commonly known as “Wat Phra Singh”, is one of the most important and historically significant temples in Chiang Mai. Located in the heart of the old city along Sam Lan Road, this sacred site is not only a center for Buddhist worship but also a showcase of traditional Lanna architecture, ancient art, and deep spiritual legacy.

🕰 A Legacy of Centuries

Founded in 1345 AD (B.E. 1888) by King Phayu of the Mangrai Dynasty, Wat Phra Singh was originally constructed to house the ashes of his father, King Kham Fu. It was initially named “Wat Li Chiang Phra” due to its proximity to a local market. The temple gained its current name after King Saen Muang Ma brought the revered Phra Singh Buddha image from Chiang Rai to be enshrined here, marking a pivotal moment in the temple’s identity.

🏯 Architectural Treasures Within

In addition to the Lai Kham Viharn, the temple complex features several important structures, including the main ubosot (ordination hall), a magnificent chedi with elephant sculptures around its base, and a classic Lanna-style scripture library. Over the centuries, these buildings have been restored by Lanna kings, revered monks like Khruba Sriwichai, and the Fine Arts Department, preserving their sanctity and charm for future generations.

There are a lot of interesting  points inside the Wat Phra Singh.

The first interesting one is the Buddhism church is very beautiful of the Han-Na style ceated. Moreover, it is too faithful for the native Buddhism life.

The second interesting sites, is Tri-building. This half one is made of wood. The style is the old Lanna created with the mock-up Thai got at the outside. In addition, you will see the two big golden Nagas at the entrance of the Tri-building. In my opinion these 2 Nagas is very beautiful and valuable for keep the memory with your photo. Moreover at the inside of Tri-building. Is decorated with the mock-up of Him Ma Phan creature ( one of the famous image life in past of Thailand) such as the mermaid, dragon-headed unicorn, etc.

The third interesting. Is the Lai Kham sanctuary. This sanctuary is created from the inspiration of the Lhan Na and old northern style which so beautiful and attractive very much. In my mention the Lai kham sanctuary is another best site to taking some photo too. The most interesting in our Wat Phra Singh, is the Phra-Buddha-Sihing. This Phra Buddha Sihing is created in long time ago (around the Buddhist era 700 approximately) with the bronze and cover with gold. Not only the beautiful of but also, this Phra-Buddha-Sihing is always admired by the Buddhist life very much.

Moreover, this Phra-Buddha-Sihing is one of the best temples in Chiang Mai that has many people come to doing the Buddhist activities in both normal day and on the important of Buddhism. The general activities are to pay respect to the Buddha, to study the Buddha’s lessons. to make a merit. to do a good thing, and etc. In additional, the important days of Buddhism are the Visajhabucha day, the Makhabucha day. and etc. These above days will have special activity such as to

🎉 Songkran Festival & Spiritual Life

Each year during Songkran, Chiang Mai’s famous water festival, the Phra Singh Buddha is paraded around the old city for ceremonial bathing by the public. This is one of the most vibrant and spiritual traditions in northern Thailand. The temple also plays an active role in local religious life, hosting ordinations, dharma talks, and meditation sessions throughout the year.

🏛 Living Heritage of Lanna

More than just a place of worship, Wat Phra Singh is a living museum that tells the story of Lanna through its sacred art, enduring faith, and the rhythms of Chiang Mai life. A visit here is not just a sightseeing stop—it’s a step into the cultural soul of Northern Thailand.

🧳 Visitor Tips & Etiquette

Wat Phra Singh is open daily and welcomes visitors of all faiths. Modest dress is required—no sleeveless tops or short pants—and shoes must be removed before entering sacred halls. International visitors may be asked to pay a small entrance fee when accessing specific areas like the Lai Kham Viharn. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat.

🗺 Getting There

According to the location of Wat Phra Singh is in the central city of Chiang Mai, there are many easy options to the reaching there with most of convenience. Generally, you can reach to our destination by both options are your own or rental vehicle and by public transportation. Let’s talk with the way of traveling by your own or rental vehicle. You can start in anywhere in central in Chiang Mai. Just driving to the inside moat and get direction to the point that the Sing Ha Rach road meet with the Rad Cha Dam Nern road. Then, you will reach here to this amazing destination, the Phra Singh temple.

Another option is for the tourist, who need not to bring or rental the vehicle is using the service of red minibus. Do not be worry to find the red minibus because, there are a lot of their service around our Chiang Mai in entire of the day also to a little bit dusk too. Notice that, the traveling cost is depends on the taking point based on their rate charges. For my experience, I ensure that the traveling cost is always in friendly price. Tips, try to asking the traveling cost before you taking the rad minibus because, you can make a deal for the cheaper cost with the driver in sometime.

Study the Buddha’s lessons from monk in the night, to alms bowl, to keeping five or eight precepts and meditating, to triple circumlocution to for realize the important of Buddha and Buddhism.