1 / 5Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan in full, is the most revered temple inside Chiang Mai's Old City. Founded in 1345, it houses the Phra Singh Buddha, the image that the whole city honours each April during Songkran. Its full name, Phra Phuttha Sihing, means the Lion Buddha, which is where the temple gets its name. It stands at the western end of the Old City, about 5 minutes from anywhere inside the moat, and it rewards a slow hour far more than a quick photo stop.
Why go
Many temples in Chiang Mai are beautiful; Wat Phra Singh is the one where you feel the weight of the city's faith. Local families come in a steady stream to light candles and offer flowers to the Phra Singh image, and on Buddhist holy days the grounds fill with people in white.
The other reason to come is art. The small Wihan Lai Kham, where the image sits, is one of the finest examples of Lanna architecture in the city, and its interior walls are covered in murals that show everyday Lanna life: markets, courtship, dress and work. They are one of the best windows anywhere into how people in old Chiang Mai lived.
What to see
- Wihan Lai Kham: the small hall at the back of the compound, with gold stencilled decoration on red. Inside sits the Phra Singh Buddha. Take off your shoes, kneel, and give your eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light.
- The murals: on the side walls of Wihan Lai Kham. Look for scenes of daily life between the religious stories; the clothes, hairstyles and gestures are the most interesting details.
- The Ho Trai: the scripture library, raised on a high base to keep palm-leaf texts safe from damp and pests. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the temple.
- The main wihan and chedi: the large hall near the entrance and the chedi behind it, where most ceremonies take place.
- Songkran procession: in April the Phra Singh image is carried through the streets so people can pour scented water over it. If you are in Chiang Mai for Songkran, this is the moment to see.
How to get there
- From the Old City
- about 5 minutes from anywhere inside the moat. From Tha Phae Gate it is a straight walk west across the Old City, roughly 20 minutes on foot.
- From the airport or Mae Hia
- about 30 minutes by Grab from Mae Hia, depending on traffic. The airport is closer to this western side of the Old City than to Tha Phae Gate.
- By songthaew or Grab
- red songthaews pass along the moat roads; agree the price before you get in. Grab cars are easy to find at any hour the temple is open.
- On foot
- link it with Wat Chedi Luang, about 10 minutes' walk east, and Wat Phan Tao next to it, for a compact Old City temple morning.
Tips
- Cover shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering any hall.
- Foreign visitors pay 40 THB at the gate and Thai nationals enter free; keep some small notes ready.
- Come early. Before the tour groups arrive the light is soft and the halls are quiet.
- Inside Wihan Lai Kham, do not point your feet at the Buddha image, and do not use flash on the murals.
- If you visit during Songkran week, expect dense crowds and water everywhere. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
- From the Old City, Doi Suthep is the natural next stop up the mountain. If you would rather avoid the crowds there, Wat Phra That Doi Kham above Mae Hia is the quieter hilltop temple, and Mae Hia itself is a calm base 30 minutes from here.
- The 3-day itinerary puts Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang together on the same morning.
FAQ
How much is the entrance fee for Wat Phra Singh?
Foreign visitors pay 40 THB and Thai nationals enter free; check at the gate, as fees can change.
What time does Wat Phra Singh open?
06:00 to 20:00 every day. Early morning is the quietest time.
What is the Phra Singh Buddha?
The temple's revered Buddha image, kept in Wihan Lai Kham and carried through the city in the Songkran procession each April.
How long should I spend at Wat Phra Singh?
About an hour is enough to see Wihan Lai Kham, the murals and the Ho Trai without rushing.
Is Wat Phra Singh close to Wat Chedi Luang?
Yes. They are about 10 minutes apart on foot, both inside the Old City.
