Buddhist temples of North Thailand

North Thailand’s most important temples

Northern Thailand houses a wealth of Buddhist temples built in various architectural styles including Lanna Thai, Burmese Shan, Mon, Sri Lankan, Thai Lü and Rattanakosin (Bangkok) style.

Lanna Thai style

Many of the regions older temples were built in Lanna Thai style, dating back to the era the Lanna Thai Kingdom existed here, starting at the end of the 13^th century. Many magnificent temples of Lanna Thai architecture can be found in Chiang Mai, with the Wat Phra Singh temple being one of the most beautiful.

Haripunchai Kingdom

Before the Lanna Kingdom came to power, the Hariphunchai Kingdom ruled the area of Northern Thailand. The capital city of the Kingdom was Lamphun, South of Chiang Mai. In 1292 the Mon Hariphunchai Kingdom was besieged by Lanna and was incorporated into the Lanna Kingdom.

A good example of Hariphunchai Mon architecture still in existence today are the two chedis at the Wat Ku Kut in Lamphun, dating back to the 12^th century. The Cham Thewi chedi is shaped like a stepped pyramid, each story having a number of niches containing Buddha images.

Another very interesting temple in Lamphun is the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai that dates back to the mid 12^th century and contains examples of various architectural styles, including Lanna Thai, Mon and Sri Lankan.

Burmese Shan style

In the 19^th century people from the Shan State in Myanmar came to Northern Thailand. They brought with them their own style of temple architecture. The Wat Jong Klang in Mae Hong Son is a good example of Burmese Shan style. Another good example of Burmese influence in the North is the Wat Pongsanuk in Lampang.

Thai Lü influence

In the city of Nan you will find a number of temples showing Thai Lü influence. The best examples are the Wat Phra That Chae Haeng and the Wat Phumin.

Rattanakosin style

Many of the more recent temples in North Thailand are built in Rattanakosin (Bangkok) style.

The most beautiful Buddha image

Perhaps the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand is the Phra Chinnarat Buddha. The seven centuries old image cast in Sukhothai style can be found in the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat temple in Phitsanulok.

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Chiang Rai temples

• Wat Phra Singh
• Wat Phra Kaew
• Wat Ngam Muang
• Wat Klang Wiang
• Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple)
• Wat Rong Suea Ten (The Blue Temple)
• Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha Chiang Rai)

Lampang temples

• Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao
• Wat Suchadaram
• Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
• Wat Pongsanuk
• Wat Si Rong Muang
• Wat Sri Chum

Nan temples

• Wat Ton Laeng
• Wat Hua Khuang
• Wat Phra That Chang Kham
• Wat Phra That Chae Haeng
• Wat Phumin
• Wat Suan Tan
• Wat Phaya Wat

Lamphun temples

• Wat Phra That Hariphunchai
• Wat Ku Kut

Mae Hong Son temples

• Wat Hua Wiang
• Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu

Phitsanulok temples

• Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Phrae temples

• Wat Phra That Cho Hae