We call it a temple of magnitude because, in its prime, the 82-meter height and 54-meter base diameter of Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan made it the largest temple in the Lanna Kingdom—the ancient kingdom in northern Thailand that once thrived in what is now Chiang Mai province.
Sadly, the temple now stands at around 50 meters, having been partially destroyed —possibly by an earthquake or cannon fire. In any case, it’s a must-see in Chiang Mai, not only for the chedi itself but also for the other fascinating features within the temple complex.
At the entrance of the Wat Chedi Luang complex, you’ll find a prayer hall flanked by two imposing nagas. Inside is a standing Buddha known as Phra Chao Attarot, with two disciples on either side.
People often come here to pray, and it’s also a great spot to escape the heat for a while. The columns inside are richly decorated, as are the windows that look out over the courtyard.
Back to the chedi itself: Wat Chedi Luang is also notable because, for a short time, it housed Thailand’s most sacred object—the Emerald Buddha.
Today, the Emerald Buddha resides in its own temple within the Grand Palace in Bangkok, but years ago, the King donated a replica, which now sits in the eastern niche of the stupa. The other niches hold stone Buddha statues, and on the southern side, the base is decorated with elephant sculptures.
The temple is home to many monks—both senior and novice—and it’s almost impossible not to see them during your visit. You’ll find them praying, studying, or simply walking through the vast temple grounds.
To wrap up your visit, head to the western side of the pagoda, where there’s a small open-sided pavilion housing a reclining Buddha statue. Scattered around the grounds are several other statues, including one of a chubby Buddha who looks particularly well-fed.
If you’re staying in central Chiang Mai, you can easily walk to the temple. However, if you’d like to explore this and other temples in one day, we recommend booking the 3 Hour Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour.
