Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan – Visitor's Guide 2023

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, houses the Phra Singh, a sacred Buddha image of Chiang Mai and the Lanna land created in Chiang Saen style and known among the locals through the name Chiang Saen Singh Neung, is a 14th century Buddhist temple located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is one of the most important temples in Northern Thailand and is a must-see for any visitor to the city. The temple has an incredibly rich history, with many intricacies that have been carefully preserved over the centuries due to the importance of this holy site. With its ornate architecture, spectacular Buddha images, and impressive viharns, Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan is a stunning reminder of the importance of Buddhism in the culture of Thailand.

This sacred temple is a sight to behold, with its intricate architecture and grandeur setting a calming atmosphere for the devout followers of Buddhism who come to pray. From the elaborate stucco designs to the intricately painted murals, it is evident that great care has been taken over the years to preserve the ancient artifacts found within the temple’s walls. Inside, visitors will find a large golden statue of the Buddha and six chedis that are elaborately sculpted and painted in distinctive colors. Each of these structures houses a relic of the Buddha, providing a special spiritual connection to those who come to pay their respects. In the main assembly hall, visitors can admire the grand altar of the temple and the beautiful offering of flowers and incense that are used to show reverence to the Buddha.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the beauty and significance of Buddhism in Thailand. With its impressive structure and powerful spiritual aura, this temple is sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler who visits.

Wat Phra Singh was built in the beautiful and famous classical Lanna architecture style. During the annual Songkran Festival, or Chiang Mai’s Traditional New Year’s Day, the City Administration will arrange for Phra Buddha Sihing to be paraded around the city so citizens can bathe the Buddha statue on the occasion of the traditional Songkran festivals. Per Lanna beliefs, people who are born in the Year of the Dragon should find an opportunity to pay respects to Phra Singh at least once in their lives.

Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai, 50280
Google Map: https://goo.gl/8YC9wDxgknvoQq9A7
Plus Code Map: 7MCWQXQJ+CQ
GPS: 18°47’18.7″N 98°58’55.1″E
Latitude: 18.788525
Longtitude: 98.981978
Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., everyday
Entrance fee: 20 THB
FB Official Page: วัดพระสิงห์ วรมหาวิหาร
Year built: 1345
Original name: Wat Lee Chiang Phra

Interesting Sights Within Wat Phra Singh

Main Temple

The main temple is a rectangular building with porches both in the front and in the back. The building architecture and decorations are in Lanna style. The sides of the building have large frames covered in wooden lath on the exterior but are functional as actual windows from the inside. There are stucco patterns around the entrance arch. The tympanum has two arches joining together similar to an arched eyebrow. Above the eyebrow are two circles similar to eyes on the pillars. Other parts of the temple complex also contain various exquisite bas-relief stuccos and gilded statues.

Ho Trai

Ho Trai is the temple library. It was built as a wooden structure on a high stone base. The exterior walls are decorated with carvings of Devata figures in various postures all around. A work of architects during the age of Phra Muang Kaew, Ho Trai underwent renovations commissioned by Major General Prince Kaew Nawarat around 1933. The base of Ho Trai is decorated with sinking lotus moldings containing images of mythical creatures, such as winged mermaids, winged gajasimhas (mythical hybrid animals in Hindu mythology), and qilins. The patterns on these mosaics are similar to those seen in the Ming dynasty of China.

Wihan Lai Kham

Wihan Lai Kham contains many lovely stucco patterns showcasing the brilliance of their creators in their time. The wihan building is constructed in traditional Northern style with two Naga statues flanking the entrance steps, as well as two Singh statues situated nearby. Phra Buddha Sihing is situated within the wihan. The walls behind the primary Buddha images, the core pillars (circular pillars), and the balcony pillars (square pillars) are decorated with various beautiful murals with gold patterns on a red background.

Also located behind the primary Buddha image is an exquisite image of a castle surrounded by dragons and swans. The northern wall of the wihan contains a mural of the Sang Thong folktale. The southern wall of the wihan contains a mural of the Suwannahong folktale. Additionally, the Sang Thong mural can only be found within this wihan and not anywhere else.

Entrance Fee

Wat Phra Singh is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission to the main assembly hall of Viharn Luang for non-Thais is 20 baht. Admission for Thai nationals is free.

History of Phra Buddha Sihing

The original Phra Buddha Sihing, or Phra Singh, is an ancient Buddha image in the meditative posture. The image was cast with gilt bronze in Lanna style, with the size being 79 cm tall and 63 cm wide. According to history, the Buddha image was commissioned by the king of Sri Lanka around the year 157, more than 2000 years ago. Later on, the lord of Nakhon Si Thammarat requested the image to be given as an offering to the king of Sukhothai.

When King Borommarachathirat I of Ayutthaya Kingdom conquered and annexed Sukhothai, he brought Phra Buddha Sihing to be situated at Ayutthaya. The image was later moved to Kamphaeng Phet and then to Chiang Rai. When Phaya Seanmuengma, king of Chiang Mai, conquered Chiang Rai, he brought Phra Buddha Sihing to be situated at Chiang Mai alongside the Emerald Buddha. When King Narai the Great conquered Chiang Mai in the year 1662, he brought the Buddha image to Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya. The image remained there for 105 years.

After Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese for the second time in the year 1767, the Chiang Mai people returned the image to their city. Later on, after the northern region returned to Siam rule during the reign of King Rama I, Maha Sura Singhanat brought the image to Bangkok (back then known as Rattanakosin) in the year 1795.

At present, Phra Buddha Sihing is currently situated at Buddhaisawan Hall, Front Palace. During the annual Songkran Festival, the image is brought out so Thai citizens can pay their respects and bathe the image. Meanwhile, the Phra Buddha Sihing image situated in Wat Phra Singh is actually a copy of the Emerald Buddha.