Wat Phra Singh: Fee, Hours, Viharn Lai Kham, Getting There
Wat Phra Singh was built in 1345 at the western end of the old city. The hall to see is Viharn Lai Kham, built between 1815 and 1821. The ticket you get is a leaflet with useful information and a map of the complex.
On this page
Wat Phra Singh (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร) is a temple at the western end of the old city, built in 1345.
Wat Phra Singh entry fee and opening hours
The ticket you get is a leaflet with useful information and a map of the complex.
What to see at Wat Phra Singh
The Phra Buddha Sihing image is housed in Viharn Lai Kham, a vihara constructed between 1815 and 1821.
The walls of the chapel are covered with murals illustrating Lanna customs, dress and scenes from daily life. The head of the Phra Singh Buddha was stolen in 1922, and a reproduction is now seen.
A typical scripture repository is located at this temple as well.
History in short
Phayu, the fifth king of Lan Na, constructed Wat Phra Singh in 1345. In 1400, Saenmueangma, king of Lan Na, received the Phra Phuttha Sihing image. In 1935 the temple received the status of Royal temple of the first grade.
Songkran procession
The main procession takes place on 13 April and starts at the Railway Station. The parade ends at Wat Phra Singh. The temple is most attractive during Songkran, the Thai New Year, in mid-April.
Who Wat Phra Singh suits (and who should skip it)
- Good in mid-April. The Phra Singh procession during Songkran is the draw.
How to get to Wat Phra Singh
2 Samlarn Rd Old City Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Wat Phra Singh in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The red songthaew guide explains how to flag one and pay. For app cars, see Grab vs Bolt in Chiang Mai.
When to go and how long
If you visit during Songkran in mid-April, the Phra Singh procession is one of Chiang Mai’s most important festivals.
Nearby and how to combine it
Read the Wat Chedi Luang guide for its fee, hours and the separate foreigner entrance.
The Sunday Walking Street market runs along Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate to Singharat Road at Wat Phra Singh.
For a hilltop temple on another day, see Doi Suthep.
Before you go
- Keep the admission leaflet: it carries a map of the complex.
Photo credits
- A viharn on the temple grounds: Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Viharn Lai Kham at the back of the compound: Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), Dennis G. Jarvis (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Wat Phra Singh on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Jin Kerkarchachai, guffy journey, Yves Jacques (Ban Houay Hay Lao P.D.R.), SongSong Roeknirandon.
Not confirmed: Official tariff: not fetched, because the national tourism site blocks bots. Unconfirmed: the start time of the Songkran procession, and separate Viharn Lai Kham hours.
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Common questions
What is Viharn Lai Kham?
The Phra Buddha Sihing image is housed in Viharn Lai Kham, a vihara constructed between 1815 and 1821.
What happens at Wat Phra Singh during Songkran?
The main procession is on 13 April, starts at the Railway Station and ends at Wat Phra Singh.
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