Wat Chiang Yuen

Wat Chiang Yuen is a unique 16th-century temple in an area of Chiang Mai, which served as the residential area of the Shan people in the past.

Also known as the ‘Temple of Long Life’, it is widely believed that it’s one of the oldest temples in northern Thailand.

Wat Chiang Yuen, Buddhist Temple Address, Fees & Hours, Chiang Mai

The temple is famously known for its ancient Burmese colonial gate and the beautiful pavilion, but it also has numerous unique attributes. It played an important role in the Lanna kingdom because every new king was mandated to pay his respects to the Phra Suppunyu Chao Buddha image at the temple before being crowned. But when the Burmese were successful in conquering Chiang Mai during the 18^th century, they eventually ended up abandoning the temple. But during the reign of King Kawila, who drove the Burmese out, the temple was restored in 1794.

The most distinct feature of the temple is its chedi; a large white structure decorated with beautiful golden images. Every corner of the base square is a gold and white chinthe, which is a lion commonly found in many Thai and Burmese temples as a sign of protection. Ancient chronicles say that important Buddha relics were kept inside the chedi back in the 16^th century, under the reign of King Muang Kaeo.

Between the chedi and the viharn, there is a stunning Lanna sala equipped with gold barge boards and ornate gables. An image of Buddha is enshrined in the sala, and there are also two intricately designed poles that feature a Hamsa bird, which in Buddhism is associated with the end of Samsara or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Wat Chiang Yuen is located just outside the ancient walled centre of Chiang Mai, on Manee Nopparat road.