THE OLD TOWN AREA OF
CHIANGMAI:
The
highlight of visiting Chiangmai is visiting wats, there's one
on almost everystreet, sometime you could find more than one.
The first is Wat Chiang Man built around the same time
as the city was -by King Meng Rai in 1296. Much of the
Sukhothai influences can be seen in the chedi, which is
surrounded by sculpted elephants that symbolize Buddhism. The
mural paintings inside the wihan depict the founding of
Chiangmai. If you are looking for a Wat in true Burmese style,
then you will have to go to the Wat Pa Pao, which is
near Jaeng Sriphoum which is on the corner of the moat. At the
beginning month of April, group ordinations of novice monks
take place here.
Next is Wat Chedi Luang.
It is the monastery of great stupa which is found standing on
the corner of thanon Phra Pokklao and thanon Ratchamankhla.
You can't simply efford to lose these opportunity to miss the
large stupa if you are anywhere in the Old Town area in-spite
it height had been reduced by the earthquake in 1545. The four
sides of these great stupa are buddhist niches. On the outside
under the solemn Bho tree a Buddha Image has been placed.
Evening will be the best time to visit if you want to
experience the charming of these temple.
In Wat Phan Tao you will have to
see the wooden wihan, which is parts of the King's palace and
later was donated to the the temple. The traces of the King's
symbol is seen today in the woodcarved peacock at the front
door. There is a fine coffee shop and restaurant next to the
temple offering cool drinks to wipe out the sweat after
visting the wat. The restaurant is "CAFE CHIC" . They
had menu with Thai and European to satisfied your appetite.
The next visit is to the WAT Phra Singh . The Phra
Singh image is the namesake of the temple and is believe to
have been brought over from Sri Lanka. The murals in the small
wihan don;t dispict the life of a Buddha but illustrate Thai
folklore. You can view one of the oldest haw trai (
Buddhist Scripture Library) which s also built in Lan Na
style. Across the street to the right stands the Wat Prasad.
It is small but Frangipani gave it a old time appearance. The
old wooden wi han contains Buddha murals using a
stenciling techniques. The chedi was built according to an
ancient architectural design as part of of the wi han.
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Wat Chiang Man |
Wat Pa Pao |
Wat Chedi Luang |
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Wat Phan Tao |
Wat Phra Singh |
Wat Prasad |
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Wat Chedi Lian |
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Wat Sean Fang |
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DOWNTOWN OF CHIANGMAI:
The West Bank of the Ping River is the liveliest commercial area of the
Chiangmai City. All main streets (Tha Phae, Chang Klan, Loi Khraw ) run in
to this area.
Kad Warorot ( in chiangmai "kad" refer to market) is the largest market in
town and a good place to go. It is divided into 3 sections and you can
find almost anything that you want for. The three sections are as followed
:
The flower Market : It is alongside the Ping river. To inspect all
the colourful flower it is adviseable to inspect in the evening. At the
corner heading North is the seasonal fruit corner.
Lao Jou Lane : is a haven for woven clothes in any numbers,
pattern and materials that included silk, cotton and hemp - wholesale or
retail.
Food, groceries and other goods : It is on the covered market and
you will will temted by the unexpected.
Not far from the Flower market, is the Post Office. Inside the old Post
Office Building houses the Postal Museum. Here you can learn about the
history of Thailand's Postal service and view stamp collections. ( It is
open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm from MOnday to Saturday). The main Road is
Thanon Tha Phae. It has been the main road for Chiangmai's commerce
for a long time. There are many shops and temples all along the way.
The first temples is
Wat Sean Fang. This temples is build with a Burmese style chedi and a
wi-han in Lan Na style. This temple was once a dwelling place of the Lan
Na King. Next is Wat Buppharam, which is the close to the vicinity.
Here the wi-han is a combination of Burmese and Lan Na styles. There is a
smaller wi-han which is 300 years old and is in pure Lan Na style. A large
teak Buddha is kept in the main modernized wi-han. There is an antique
shop, "The Lost Heaven" opposite this temple which specializes in
hill-tribe products. Also a shop specializes in lacquerware and home
decoration is close by " The Living Space" . Next is to visit
Wat Mahawan, a Burmese style with main assembly hall houses a large
Buddha Image. The wall of the temple are in Burmese decoration and the
only one of it kind in the country. Wat Chetawan is opposite where
the Burmese influence is evident in the style of the stupa. Infront of the
temple is a restaurant "Choa Thai Restaurant" serving Spicy-noodle
soup with shrimp. Its more for those who are spicy food lovers. The road
ends at Pratu Tha Phae which is a main square and tourist centre.
Here most of the major activities and events took place throughout the
year.
These
article were originally published in and are the property of Citylife.
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This site was last updated:
25 January 2007
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