Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh

Introduction Also transliterated as Wat Phra Sing, Wat Phra Singh is also known as the Twin Dragons Temple or the Relic Buddha Temple. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai and, along with Wat Chedi Luang, is one of the most revered temples in the city. Originally built in 1345 by King Mengrai, it has been expanded multiple times to reach its current scale. The temple is surrounded by tall pine and cypress trees. Two giant dragons, inlaid with colored glass shards and small fan-shaped colored ceramic tiles, flank the stone steps—each dragon has seven large and small heads, standing majestically on either side. Their serpentine bodies, stretching over 150 meters along the incline of the steps, reach all the way to the temple’s entrance. The grand staircase consists of 309 steps. At the heart of the temple stands a towering golden chedi approximately 20 meters high, built in the 16th century. It is said to house a relic of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. A crystal lotus gifted by the Thai king crowns the top of the chedi. The temple complex includes four main shrine halls facing east, west, south, and north, connected by covered walkways forming a square. Each hall enshrines a large golden Buddha statue, and the main hall, Lai Kham Chapel, houses three Buddha images regarded as the most spiritually powerful in Northern Thailand.

From April 13 to 15 each year, Wat Phra Singh serves as one of the main sites for Songkran (Thai New Year) celebrations. Transportation Wat Phra Singh is located on Doi Suthep Mountain in the northwest of Chiang Mai, about 15 kilometers from the city center, roughly a 20-minute drive. Ticket/Opening Hours Admission: 30 Thai Baht.

Chiang Mai, Thailand