Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan is a royal first-class temple at the western end of Ratchadamnoen Road, inside Chiang Mai’s moated Old City in Mueang Chiang Mai District. King Phayu founded it in 1345 to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Kham Fu. Pilgrims and history-minded travelers come for the Phra Buddha Sihing, one of northern Thailand’s most venerated Buddha images, and for some of the finest surviving Lanna architecture in the city (source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Singh)).
Head past the large modern assembly hall to Viharn Lai Kham at the rear of the compound. This low-slung chapel has tiered roofs and a gilded facade, and it houses the seated bronze Phra Sihing. Its walls carry 19th-century murals of the Sang Thong and Suwannahong tales. The paintings also show everyday Lanna dress, customs and village life. Nearby stands the Ho Trai, a raised scripture library whose stucco base is decorated with devata figures. Behind the halls rises a gold-plated chedi (source: [Chiang Mai Trip](https://www.chiangmai-trip.com/destinations/wat-phra-singh/)).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Arrive soon after opening in the early morning, before tour groups reach the chapel. Expect a small entry fee for foreign visitors, and check current rates on arrival. Cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering any hall. During Songkran in mid-April, the Phra Sihing is paraded through the Old City for ritual bathing, which draws enormous crowds. On Sunday evenings, the Walking Street market runs along Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate to the temple’s doorstep. Wat Chedi Luang is about a ten-minute walk east (source: [Chiang Mai Travel Hub](https://www.chiangmaitravelhub.com/attractions/wat-phra-singh/)).
