Wat Umong Mahathera Chan, Chiang Mai

Wat Umong Mahathera Chan, located in the heart of Chiang Mai's old town, is a venerable temple that holds a rich history dating back 700 years. The temple's name pays homage to the renowned monk Mahathera Chand, who lived in Chiang Mai during the 14th and 15th centuries and frequently resided at this sacred site. One fascinating aspect of the temple's past is the underground tunnel, from which the name "Umong" derives, that once connected the chedi to the viharn.

Within the temple grounds, there are a viharn, an ubosot, and two chedis. Notably, an ancient Bodhi tree, over 700 years old, stands as a living testament to the temple's antiquity. The viharn stands out with a unique Lanna architectural style, featuring a two-tier roof adorned with green and gold nagas. Chofa eagle finials top the roof, adding elegance. Two majestic chinthe lions guard the entrance, exuding protection and reverence.

In the dimly lit viharn, strategically placed lights create a mesmerizing effect on the central Buddha image. The floor has plain tiles, and the grand ceiling is supported by five massive pairs of teak columns. The walls are adorned with vibrant murals depicting the Buddha's previous lives and scenes from the Jataka, providing insights into Buddhism's teachings. The main altar features four Buddha images, with the principal one exuding serenity in the Subduing Mara mudra. Three smaller Buddha images accompany it, including one made of black granitic stone, adding to the temple's religious artifacts.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chiang Mai. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Wat Umong Mahathera Chan
Sight Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand (See walking tours in Chiang Mai)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Chiang Mai Temples Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Create Your Own Walk in Chiang Mai

Creating your own self-guided walk in Chiang Mai is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Chiang Mai Introduction Walking Tour

Situated in the mountainous northern part of Thailand, Chiang Mai ("New City" in Thai) was founded in 1296 as the new capital of the then independent Kingdom of Lan Na, succeeding its former capital, Chiang Rai. The strategic location on the Ping River (a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River) and its proximity to major trading routes contributed to the city's historic... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles

Shopping and Food Walking Tour

One of the reasons tourists visit Chiang Mai is shopping. Indeed, this city is fit to captivate anyone with its shopping opportunities, especially when it comes to diverse and unique goods such as silk, silver, clothing, ceramics, antiques, Buddhist art, lacquer and neilloware, of consistently good value and quality and at affordable prices. Chiang Mai is one of the cheapest places to shop in... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

Chiang Mai Temples Walking Tour

Amid the multitude of impressive sights in Chiang Mai, religious temples really stand out. The city isn't just about one or two of them but has over 300 鈥榳ats鈥�, which is more than elsewhere in Thailand. Some of these temples are as old as the city itself and were built by the kings not only to demonstrate their faith, but also to show off their wealth and power.

In the past, apart from... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

51爆料网