WAT CHIANG MAN

Wat Chiang Man was built in 1297 at the site of the camp King Mangrai used when he supervised the building of Chiang Mai. It was the first temple to be built in Chiang Mai and contains several very old artifacts. Inside is the oldest dated Buddha image in Chiang Mai: a standing Buddha holding a begging bowl, inscribed with the year 1465. Wat Chiang Man is most famous for a miniature crystal image known as the White Emerald Buddha.

Approaching Wat Chiang Man from the street your first glimpse is a golden chedi.



The oldest structure is the Chang Lom chedi. The Chedi Chang Lom (Stupa Surrounded by 15 Elephants) is a unique combination of grey stone and glimmering gold. The bottom part is made of stone and is decorated with Sinhalese-style elephants...






The gardens around the Wat-




Temple buildings and the main hall of the temple.






What is interesting walking around the old city is that you never know what you will see. On my way to Wat Chiang Man I came across a school graduation that had just gotten out. Thais are big on giving flowers & stuffed animals to the recent graduates (kindergarten OR college). The streets will be lined with stalls selling these gifts.








The garland of flowers around this boy's head has been stuffed with money for graduation gifts!






On my way home I walked by this small "fresh" market





and of course you always see a friendly Thai cat..........

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