Wat Phra Singh one of the most famous and revered temples of Chiang Mai, but also in northern Thailand. It offers a lively atmosphere where hundreds of novice monks study, pray, eat and live together. The Wat Phra Singh houses several highly revered statues of Buddha dating from the beginning of the city. This temple is a great example of classical Thai architecture of Lanna Kingdom. The name of the temple comes from the Phra Singh Buddha statue which is inspired by a mythological lion. That is why, this temple is also known as the Temple of Lion Buddha. Wat Phra Singh is an icon of the city and a must visit Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai.
Wat Phra Singh – The Temple of Lion Buddha
Posted on: 19th February 2016
History of Wat Phra Singh
Formerly, the site of Wat Phra Singh was a market until 1345, when King Pa Yu, the fifth king of Mengrai Dynasty, ordered to build this temple and a statue of 7 meters to bury the ashes of his father. Also, Wat Phra Singh was the first temple to house the Emerald Buddha which was later transferred to Wat Chedi Luang and which now resides at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. In 1578, the Burmese invaded Chiang Mai and the temple was abandoned until 1782 when the people of the city regained the control of the temple. Since then it has been expanded several times and the largest building, Luang Viharn, of the temple was constructed in 1925.
Useful Information
The Wat Phra Singh is located in the western part of the historic part of Chiang Mai. It is situated within the limits of the moat and the defensive wall and can be recognized by the statues of two lions which are placed on the entrance. As use of public transport to reach the temple could involve a hassle, it is recommended to hire a car from Thailand Cars Rentals for a trouble-free jouney. The temple is open seven days a week between 6 am and 8 pm. It can be visited free of cost. The best time for a visit is during the Sunday night market.