Chiang Mai, Thailand, Jan 2017

Chiang Mai, Thailand (เชียงใหม่). Chiang Mai means "New City" and was so named because it became the new capital of Lan Na when it was founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai, the former capital founded in 1262. Chiang Mai is situated amongst the highest mountains in the country. The city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.

Entrance to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Buddhist monk at the entrance to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Buddhist monk at the entrance to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Entrance to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Buddhist monk wax statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Many golden Buddha statues inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue inside Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden elephant at Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Thai lady offers prayers at Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Monks and visitors to Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร ), 14th-century Buddhist temple boasting gold & copper Buddhas, murals & ancient manuscripts.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) is a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Street vendors come from other regions to sell to tourists. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is situated East of the city moat, on Chang Khlan Road. It is known for its handicrafts and portrait paintings. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) is a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Golden Buddha statue. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) is a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Buddha statues Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ), Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) is a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Buddha statues at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ), a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Buddhists offer prayers at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ), a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Buddha statues at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ), a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ) is a Theravada wat in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although that is the name of the mountain where it's located. This is a sacred site to many Thai people and is also referred as the ornate temple complex. The complex features a golden stupa, statues & a legendary white elephant shrine.

Statue of guards at the entrance to Chiang Mai Pillar City Shrine (ศาลหลักเมืองเชียงใหม่) and Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Phan Tao (วัดพันเตา) Intricate teak Buddhist temple with gilded accents & colorful mosaics, founded in the 14th century.Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue at Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง). In a wihan near the entrance to the temple is the Buddha statue named Phra Chao Attarot (Eighteen-cubit Buddha), which was cast in the late 14th century. On the other side of the chedi is another pavilion housing a reclining Buddha statue. Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Golden Buddha statue at Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father there. After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father there. After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father there. After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow. Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). On the other side of the chedi is another pavilion housing a reclining Buddha statue. Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Close up of the architecture of the Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Buddhist Manuscript Library and Museum (วัดเจดีย์หลวง พระพุทธพจนวรภรณ์). Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa).

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Inside viharn of Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Monks chanting inside the viharn. Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa) Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Viharn entrance to Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) (temple of the big stupa or temple of the royal stupa). Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Portrait of the traditionally dressed young boy who is a dancer at the Kalare Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Young dancers at the Kalare Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai, Thailand.