The Chedi is surrounded by a wide paved area bordered by hedging on that North side. Enter this paved area through one of the gaps, and continue your stroll. Perhaps you would like to pay respects to the Buddha with the traditional Candles, incense and flowers.

Further on you will pass an Art stall where you can see some wonderful examples of the local skill with painting.
At the western end are a couple more stalls selling postcards, Buddha images and Lithographs.

Ambling along the western aspect heading south you will pass four more large Buddha statues. These as well as the building that houses them have been recently renovated and painted over the past 12 months.

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Despite its imposing size its quite incredible how the Chedi allows you to take in all the smaller, beautiful sights and structures around it, never demanding your attention in the way that other such large structures can.

Towards the south west corner of the compound are two large most beautiful Viharas housing the most lifelike representations of deceased High Monks, previously resident at this temple.
So lifelike are they that many believe that these are actually Mummys. I had been going to check on this, my own belief is that they are incredibly good wax works, but I decided to leave the question open. I don’t want to answer all the questions associated with the Temple, otherwise you may not bother with the Monk Chat which would be a great shame.

Just to the left of this structure is a small shop selling postcards and other small souvenirs on behalf of the Foundation for Education and Development of Rural Areas.

Turning left again at this corner and strolling down the south facing aspect of the Chedi you will come across an interesting contraption. A wire and pulley system, the cable going all the way to the summit of the Chedi. Again, not wanting to spoil the fun I will let you discover its purpose for yourself…instructions on how to use the system are posted on a noticeboard next to it.

Another simple way to pay your respect is to strike the many Bells that are positioned around the base of the Chedi.

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Many guests ask , ‘what is there to do in Chiang Mai’. The initial answer I tend to give is go and see a Temple. of course there is much more than that, all of which I hope to eventually cover on this site, but Chiang Mai really is Temple ground. many of you will only be here for a few days at the most, and there are so many to choose from.

So here I present the first in a continuing series of pages of the Wats of Chiang Mai.

WAT CHEDI LUANG

This temple is situated directly behind The Brick Road Cafe, the driveway at the side of our restaurant is the rear entrance.

Walking in this way you enter the Temple school, teachers car park, with some of the school buildings on your right. This is a large school, which Novices from many other Temples in Chiang Mai come to study at. Although often very shy, many of the Novices like to practice their English, so please do take the time to greet them if you see any.

The first temple structure, Vihara, you encounter is that which houses the large brick and cement made image of Phra Mahakacchayana. Painted in a gold colour it measures 3.70 metres high and 3.28 metres wide at the lap. Its date is unknown but is thought to be as old as the Reclining Buddha, further round on the tour.( information gathered from the plaque in front of the Vihara).

To the left of the Vihara you will see the snack stall, run by a very nice lady named Dow, essentially for the Novice students taking a break from their studies, but also open to tourist customers.

Just past the Vihara you will find the reconstructed La Na style Wat.

I have yet to gather details of History on this Wat, but hey, you can always ask the Monks in Monk Chat. What i can tell you is that the latest reconstruction was done last year ,(2007),and you can see photos of that reconstruction in our photobucket album.
As you walk along the side of this beautiful example of Temple architecture you will also meet one of the best sites in Chiang Mai; the grand Chedi Luang.

Turn left in front of the La Na temple and you pass the Temple High School entrance on your right and the North aspect of the Chedi on your left.

Take your time and soak in the peaceful atmosphere exuding from this impressive construction.(next page)