A fallen stupa
Once about eighty metres tall.
Vyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 4.0
The ruins of a colossal stupa at the heart of Chiang Mai's old city, one of its most evocative sights. Building began in the late fourteenth century and the stupa reached some eighty metres, the tallest structure in the Lanna kingdom, until its upper part collapsed in an earthquake in the sixteenth century, leaving its massive lower half standing to this day. Mythical serpent statues still line its stairways and stone elephants its base, and it once housed the Emerald Buddha, later moved to Bangkok. The complex has newer halls and the city pillar, which locals regard as the city's guardian. The fee for foreigners is a token amount, about forty baht; the complex opens in daytime, and modest dress is required. The stupa is lit in the evening, a lovely sight. It stands in the old city centre a few minutes from Wat Phra Singh, so combine the two on a morning walk. Half an hour to an hour is enough.
Once about eighty metres tall.
Around the stupa's base.
Before it moved to Bangkok.
Phra Pokklao Road, centre of the old city
Wat Phra SinghOne of Chiang Mai's most revered and architecturally beautiful temples, at the w6 minutes walk
Tha Phae Gate and the Old City WallsThe best-known and most photographed gate of Chiang Mai's old city, on its east 9 minutes walkWat Chiang ManChiang Mai's oldest temple, built by King Mangrai in 1297 on the spot where he c10 minutes walkDaytime to see the details and elephants, evening for the lit stupa. If you are staying in the old city you can come twice.