This delightful Temple sits at the end of Moonmuang Soi 7, one of the popular backpacker Soi’s.

Yet another architectural delight to have benefited from recent renovation.

I entered from Soi 7 but you can also gain entry from the north end of Ratchaphakhinai, at the rear of the Temple grounds.

On the day that I visited it was interesting to see a very enthusiastic young Monk giving a lesson inside the Temple to a group of infant school children.

The history of Wat Lam Chang.

Chiang Mai was founded from 1292 to 1295(Buddha year), by Phaya Mung Rai, King of the Lanna Kingdom.

While the construction of the City went ahead Phaya Mung Rai invited the King of Sukothai, Phay Ruang, and the King of Phayao, Phaya Ngum Muang to consult with him over the Cities development. On completion of the agreed development the City was given the name of Nopburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiang Mai.

During the construction Phaya Mung Rai had lived on what is now the site of Wat Chiang Mun. In this area, at that time, was a wooded area with a pond, that was known as the elephant feeding grounds and was given the name Wiang Chiang Chang.

The elephants feeding here were the ones used to transport the King and his workers.

Later a Temple was built on the site and given the name Wat Lam Chang, which loosely translates to ‘Temple of the tethered elephants’.

An elephant statue was built outside the Temple as an appropriate symbol.

As well as more wall paintings inside the Temple, another point of interest is the ancient chedi to the rear of the Temple, next to the beautifully restored, two tier Vihara. There is also a newer version guarded by smaller elephant staues at the four corners of its base, directly behind the Temple.

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