A silver temple
Engraved panels inside and out.
Jtorquy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Justraveling.com — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand — CC BY 2.0 · Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand — CC BY 2.0
A unique temple that gleams entirely with silver, on Wualai Road south of the old city, a neighbourhood historically known for silverwork. Its ordination hall is clad inside and out in silver and aluminium panels engraved with fine designs, made by local craftsmen over years in a project to preserve the traditional silver craft. The engravings show legends and symbols of Thai heritage, and some playful modern motifs too, and the loveliest sight is the temple at night, when it is lit and shines like a jewel. The complex has a workshop where craftsmen work, and you can watch them engraving silver. The fee for foreigners is about fifty baht, and it opens from morning until late evening. A note: women may not enter the inside of the silver ordination hall under the temple's tradition, but can walk the courtyard and see it from outside. Come after sunset to see it lit, and on Saturdays you may catch the Wualai walking-street market nearby, with silverware and crafts. Half an hour to an hour is enough.
Engraved panels inside and out.
Watch them engrave silver.
Silverware on Wualai Road.
Wualai Road, south of the old city
Wat Chedi LuangThe ruins of a colossal stupa at the heart of Chiang Mai's old city, one of its 12 minutes walkWat Phan TaoA small wooden gem right beside famous Wat Chedi Luang that many visitors miss. 13 minutes walk
Wat Phra SinghOne of Chiang Mai's most revered and architecturally beautiful temples, at the w14 minutes walkThree Kings MonumentThe symbol of Chiang Mai's founding: three large bronze statues of three kings a17 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 18 minutes walkYes, the courtyard and the whole complex, and they can see the silver hall from outside, but entry inside the ordination hall is limited to men by temple tradition.