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Chiang Mai is known as the "City of Temples" but Wat Chedi Luang in the old town is different from the rest. The temple has extensive grounds as it was originally three different temples¡ª¡ªWat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. The construction began in 1391 by King Saen Muang Ma to hold his father¡¯s ashes. 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 1475 to be finished during the REIgn of King Tilokarat. Its spectacular chedi was for nearly 500 years the tallest structure in the region being seen from miles around, and for a long time it housed the famous Emerald Buddha, the most revered religious artifact in Thailand which is now in Bangkok. However in 1545 a severe earthquake partly destRoYed the great spire and its trunCATed state is what we see today.

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.

Phra Viharn Luang

Phra Viharn Luang or "the Large Viharn" houses the much revered standing Buddha. It has been rebuilt several times but the current building dates from 1929 and was constructed by Phra Ubali. It sits on the site of the original viharn built in 1412 by the Queen Mother of King Sam Fang Kaen who also cast the standing Buddha image.

The roof is triple-tiered and overlapping with a median horizontal split as usual and the bargeboards are decorated with nagas running along the edges and slender chofa finials are set at the apexes. In the middle is a gilt umbrella finial and all along the ridge of the roof are hamsa figures in gilt.

The building has a very striking facade which is the first thing you notice when you enter the temple grounds. The gable end is highly decorated with exquisitely carved foliate and floral patterns in gilt on a sparkling silver mosaic base and highlighted by different coloured glass pieces. Unusually there are no figures of animals, angels or Buddha figures on the facade.

The entrance is guarded by a pair of fierce looking nagas set along the balustrade and the porch has carvings of Devata figures either side of the door and ornate carved work in stucco above the lintel.

The interior of the building is quite plain with whitewashed walls characteristic of the 20th century viharns. The massive columns which are covered with attractive gilt patterns on a dark background and  whilst numerous do not obscure the view of the main altar. Large chandeliers hang from the roof to add to the limited natural lighting which comes in through the small windows.

With such a plain interior there is nothing to distract the focus from the main altar. The standing Buddha image which the building was constructed to house was cast in the 14th century and is called "hra Chat Attarat" or "the Eighteen-cubit Buddha". It is made of bronze and was cast at the request of King Sam Fang Kaen upon the wishes of his mother, Phra Nang Tilok Jutha Mahadhevi.

This is the most beautiful Buddha image in the Lanna Kingdom. The face looks gentle and all shape is balanced. This amazing Buddha statue is made with the art of Lanna and Pala, India. The image is certainly imposing being nine metres high and in the mudra known as "persuading the relatives not to quarrel" or "Giving Pardon".

The Buddha is flanked by two of his eminent disciples: Moggallana and Sariputta.

And in front there are numerous other Buddha images made from bronze and of a similar age.

Phra That Chedi Luang

The famous chedi known as "hra That Chedi Luang" was built in 1391 by King Saen Muang Ma ruler of the Lanna Kingdom to hold his father¡¯s ashes and was finally completed in 1475 during the reign of King Tilokarat who also enlarged it to create the largest chedi in the Lanna kingdom.

In 1545 , during the reign of Queen Chira Prapha, a severe earthquake shook Northern Thailand and the upper 30 metres of the 80 metre high chedi collapsed. Since then there have been many restorations with the last in the 1990s which received some criticism as some of the additions reflected the style of Central Thailand and not the Lanna style.

Wat Chedi Luang is also famous for housing the national treasure¡ª¡ªEmerald Buddha. It was installed in the eastern niche of the chedi in 1468 and remained there until the earthquake occurred 77 years later when it was moved to Luang Prabang in 1551 and later to the Royal Palace in Bangkok.

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 Phuttha Chalerm Sirirat, but is commonly known as Phra Yok.

It was carved to celebrate three auspicious occasions:- the 600th anniversary of the temple; the 700th anniversary of Chiang Mai, and the 50th anniversary of the King¡¯s accession to the throne. There is a seated Buddha in each of the remaining three niches.