The Buddhist Temples of Chiang Dao
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Buddhist Temples of Chiang Dao
There are many Buddhist Temples in Chiang Dao district. We decided to selected the most interesting. The Chiang Dao Cave Temple is without a doubt the most well-known so we have dedicated a separate post this temple. Also information about other “cave temples” such Wat Paak Piang and Wat Tham Pa Plong is included in the section about Wat Luang Chiang Dao. Here follows our shortlist of stunning temples in Chiang Dao district.
Wat Intharam (Baan Dong)
Wat Intharam (Thai: วัดอินทาราม(บ้านดง)) is a signficant temple just of the main street of the town of Chiang Dao. According to my information construction of this temple started in 1897. Why is this temple significant? Wat Intharam houses the City Pillar of Chiang Dao.
Moreover the temple has a Buddhist school and houses more monks than any temple in Chiang Dao district. It has an old chapel (viharn Luang) and assembly hall (main viharn). The architecture of the pagoda is based on the pagoda of the Mahabodhi complex in Bodh Gaya in India. This is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world because here Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
Wat Intharam is in the center of Chiang Dao, just off the main street:
Wat Intharam (วัดอินทาราม(บ้านดง)
(Baan Dong)
142 Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai 50170
The temple of the Golden Rock: Wat Phra That Doi Mon Ching
Wat Phra That Doi Mon Ching (Thai:วัดพระธาตุดอยมอญจิง) is a beautiful and interesting Shan/Tai Yai temple about 25 km from downtown Chiang Dao, just a couple of km off the road 1178 to the town of Arunothai. If you don’t have your own transportation, it will be difficult to get there. Driving down that road the temple is visible from afar on the right side thanks to its “Golden Rock”. The temple has a kind of gilded balancing rock, a small replica of the famous Golden Rock of the Kyaiktyo Pagoda in Myanmar. It is certainly worth driving up for the magnificent views of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, especially at sunset.
Wat Phra That Doi Mon Ching (วัดพระธาตุดอยมอญจิง)
Thung Khao Phuang, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai 50170
Scary Wat Mae Ead
Wat Mae Ead (วัดแม่อีด) is a temple in downtown Chiang Dao. It doesn’t seem to be a very old temple and on my last visit, there was construction going on. Local tourists visit this temple that has a great view of Doi Luang Chiang Dao and of the town and its surroundings. It has one of the biggest statues of Phra Upakhut, the famous monk. Most eye-catching though is the rather bizarre “Purgatory Sculpture Garden”, which represents the fate of those who don’t follow the five main rules of Buddhism.
Wat Mae Ead also has a remarkable standing statue of a creature named Maeng See Hoo Hah Tah (Sihuhata). This translates to “the insect or spider with four ears and five eyes”. This animal more looks like a big cat or tiger and it doesn’t come across as a friendly animal. The only other temple I have seen an image of this fierce-looking animal is Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai in Chiang Rai.
Wat Mae Ead (วัดแม่อีด)
Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai 50170
Off the beaten track: Wat Na Wai
Wat Na Wai is a a very interesting local Shan/Tai Yai temple, very close to the Sri Sangwan Waterfall. The temple appears to be at least 100 years old, looking at the old assembly hall and other structure. Two new buildings were under construction when we visited: an assembly hall with a typical Burmese
“Pyatthat” multistaged roofs and a large sala with Buddha images. There are at least five monks or novices living in this temple.
This temple produces a beautiful temple decoration. We met four monks who were preparing one for delivery to a temple in Lamphun province. Wat Na Wai is definitely worth a visit to see the temple complex, watch the crafts and meet with local monks.
Wat Na Wai (วัดนาหวาย)
Moo 3, Tambon Mueang Na, Amphoe Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai, 50170
The Phra That Doi Chiang Dao Abbey or Monastery
The Phra That Doi Chiang Dao Abbey or Monastery (สำนักสงฆ์พระธาตุดอยเชียงดาว) is a relatively new temple. A narrow, steep road leads to the temple that contains the gilded chedi and a colossal statue of a monk, the “Great Master Narasabho Mahathera“. You need to have your own vehicle to get there. If you have the time, it is worth driving up. From the platform, you have excellent views of the mountain.
When I visited, the construction of the assembly hall was still ongoing. I didn’t meet anyone during my visit to this temple, which is visible from afar. A sign warns against the bloodthirsty dog that attacks people, according to a Trip Advisor review. The dog was fortunately not present during my visit.
Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai 50170
Wat Ban Den
Wat Ban Den also known as Wat Den Sali Sri Muang Kaen (วัดเด่นสะหลีศรีเมืองแกน) aka the Blue Temple is a fantastic and very popular temple in Mae Taeng district. Because we don’t have a Mae Taeng temple page I have included it here.
Wat Ban Den (วัดบ้านเด่น)
Inthakhin, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150
