Wat Chedi Luang

The semi-restored chedi.

 
In its day, Wat Chedi Luang must have been the most impressive temple in Chiang Mai. Built about 600 years ago, the huge chedi which give the temple its name must have soared high above the surrounding city. We say "must have" because the chedi was mostly destroyed within a few hundred years of its construction. Some say it was an earthquake in the 17^th century that did the deed; others say it was King Taksin's cannons firing on the city to chase out the Burmese in the 18^th century.

The chedi has been partially reconstructed, but the spire has not been recreated since nobody can be sure what it looked like.

Reproduction of the Emerald Buddha in the Eastern niche of the chedi.

Wat Chedi Luang was also important because for a short time it housed the most important object in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha is now in its own temple in Bangkok, but a few years ago the king donated a replica to be placed in the eastern niche of the chedi.

Altar in the main sala.

 
The other niches are occupied by stone Buddha images. On the southern side, the base is decorated with elephant statues. To the west of the chedi is a small open shed housing a reclining Buddha image. There are often artists offering their wares in stalls on the large plaza of the chedi.

Inside the main ubosot (ordination hall), the altar is backed by a magnificent standing Buddha. Round whitewashed columns support an unfinished wood roof.

Also inside the grounds of Wat Chedi Luang is the lak muang, the guardian spirit post of the city.

Getting There

Wat Chedi Luang is on Prapokklao 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.