Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, artwork

Wat Chedi Luang is a very well known temple in Chiang Mai, found almost in the center of the "Old City".

The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father there. 

After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. 

Probably due to stability problems it took until mid-15th century to be finished during the reign of king

Tilokaraj. 

It was then 82 m high and had a base diameter of 54 m, at that time the largest building of all Lanna.  In 1468, the Emerald Buddha was installed in the eastern niche. 

In 1545, the upper 30 m of the structure collapsed after an earthquake, and shortly thereafter, in 1551, the Emerald Buddha was moved to Luang Prabang.

In the early 1990s the chedi was reconstructed, financed by UNESCO and the Japanese government. 

However the result is somewhat controversial, as some claim the new elements are in Central Thai style, not Lanna style. 

For the 600th anniversary of the chedi in 1995, a copy of the Emerald Buddha made from black jade was placed in the reconstructed eastern niche. The icon is named official Phra Phut Chaloem Sirirat, but is commonly known as Phra Yok.
One of the best times to see this chedi is during the wian tian ceremony in the evening on one of the main Buddhist festival days.

Wat Chedi Luang (temple of the big stupa) is a Buddhist temple in the historic center of Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin.
Visitors entering this temple should take note of the massive tree to the left of the entrance. Legend says that if this tree should ever fall, a great catastrophe will occur. A small building near the tree enshrines the "Spirit of the City" (Sao Intakin) that was moved from its original site in 1775.

Wat Chedi Luang is on Phrapokklao Road which runs roughly through the north-south center line of the old city, from Changpuak Gate to Chaing Mai Gate. The temple is just a short walk south of the intersection with the main east-west Ratchadamnoen Road.
An easy way to find it is to start at the Tha Pae Gate and walk west along Ratchadamnoen Road, which is the main Sunday night "walking street" markets, and turn left at the 4th road you come to, which is Phrapokklao Road, and the temple is on your right.


Typical of most Buddhist temples in Thailand, the building boasts some beautiful artwork on the walls, pillars, and even the window shutters and doors.
The two main doors at the front of the wat are massive, around 20 feet high and painted in brilliant gold, as are the many window shutters along the side walls.

Below are some photos taken inside the wat :

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