Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
The impressive ruins of Wat Chedi Luang at sunset. Photo
Jennifer.
Closer look at one of the sides, with monumental stairway and elephants. Photo © Nick Leonard.
Wat Chedi Luang under a crescent moon. Photo
latigi.
Nagas guarding a stairway to the stupa. Photo
Eric Brochu.
Buddha covered in gold leaf by devotees. Photo
Neil Banas.
View from the chedi to the large viharn. Photo
Diana.
Temple containing the city pillar. Photo
Anuradha.
Reclining Buddha in Wat Phan Tao. Photo
Su Lin.
Location map and aerial view of Wat Chedi Luang. For a larger interactive view, see our Chiang Mai Map.
Wat Chedi Luang (Temple of the Big Stupa) is an impressive ruined temple in the center of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
History
King Saen Muang Ma (r.1385-1401) began construction on Wat Chedi Luang in 1391 to hold the ashes of his father, Ku Na. The building was expanded by later kings, reaching its final form in 1475.
It was then given the great honor of housing the Emerald Buddha, the holiest religious object in Thailand (now kept in Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok). At this time, Wat Chedi Luang rose to a height of 84m (280 ft.).
A century later, a severe earthquake (1545) toppled part of the great spire. The Emerald Buddha was kept in the chedi for another six years, then moved to Luang Prabang (in present-day Laos) by the king.
Five years later, Chiang Mai fell to the Burmese. The temple was never rebuilt, but even at its post-earthquake height (60m) it remained the tallest structure in Chiang Mai until modern times.
Several viharns were added to the temple complex in subsequent years; the largest viharn was built in 1928.
What to See
The ruined brick chedi of Wat Chedi Luang now rises to about 60m in height. Its base is 44m (144 ft.) wide. It has four sides, each with a niche approached by a monumental stairway guarded by stone nagas (mythical snakes). Elephants stand guard midway up the platform.
Despite its ruined state, the chedi still has several Buddha shrines and remains an active place of worship frequented by saffron-robed monks.
The large viharn (assembly hall) next to the ruined chedi was built in 1928. Its impressive interior, with round columns supporting a high red ceiling, contains a standing Buddha known as the Phra Chao Attarot. Made of brass alloy and mortar, the Buddha dates from the time of the temple's founder, King Saen Muang Ma (late 14th century).
Next to the entrance is a great Dipterocarp tree, one of three revered as protectors of the city. Legend has it that if this tree falls, a great catastrophe will follow.
Also protecting Chiang Mai is the city pillar or "Spirit of the City" (Lak Mueang), which is enshrined in a small cross-shaped building next to the tree. The pillar was moved here from its original position at Wat Sadoe Muang in 1800.
Sharing the grounds of Wat Chedi Luang is another temple, Wat Phan Tao. Its wooden viharn has beautiful carvings around the door and rooflines and contains a large reclining Buddha.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Wat Chedi Luang; Jedi Luang; Temple of the Big Stupa |
| Location: | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Faith: | Buddhism |
| Denomination: | Thai |
| Category: | Buddhist Temples |
| Date: | 1391 |
| Size: | 144 feet wide and originally 282 feet tall |
| Status: | ruins |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Phrapokklao Rd. between Ratchamankha and Ratchadamnoen Rds., Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Coordinates: | 18.787007° N, 98.986489° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Opening hours: | Daily 6am-5pm |
| Cost: | Suggested donation 20B |
Travel Resources
- Chiang Mai Map - our detailed interactive map of Chiang Mai, plus hand-picked links to more
- Chiang Mai Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Chiang Mai Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Chiang Mai
Article Sources
- Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand - Asian Historical Architecture
- Wat Chedi Luang - Frommer's Thailand
- Wat Chedi Luang Review - Fodor's Thailand
- Wat Chedi Luang - Window to Chiang Mai
Last updated on April 14, 2009.
