Muang Boran, translated "Ancient City", is a museum park in Thailand located in Samut Prakan, just outside of Bangkok. This is not an amusement park, but instead is a real-life open-air museum where the most famous monuments of the country are replicated.
Thailand: Temples of Chiang Mai
Wat Sri Suphan is also known as the Silver Temple because the entire surface of the temple, inside and out, is encased in silver handcrafted silver decoration.
Originally built around 1500 Wat Sri Suphan is also one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. It is an amazing, unique and intrinsic work of architectural marvel built entirely by traditional skilled workers from the local community.
The temple is located at Wualai District, Chiang Mai’s traditional silver-making village just south of the old city. Due to its location in a quiet neighbourhood, Wat Sri Suphan is relatively unknown and doesn’t see a lot of tourists compared with the temples on the mountain and inside the historical old city.
Wat Sri Suphan was originally built in the 16th century during the Mangrai Dynasty when the 11th king of Lanna Kingdom, Phra Muang Kaew, ruled the kingdom between 1495 and 1525.
Over the centuries since its original construction, the temple has undergone several renovations. What we see today is the result of a renovation that took place from 2008 to 2016 by the silver craftsmen in the surrounding Wua Lai community.
Wat Sri Suphan is a magnificent example of traditional Lanna design. The whole structure and surrounding statues are covered in a combination of silver, nickel, and aluminium, a material that was predominantly used. Most of what we see is aluminium with the precious silver being reserved for the holy images and the most crucial architectural elements. However, that does not detract from the exquisite workmanship that has gone into the adornment of this temple.
It is only when you are close to the panels that decorate the building that you can truly appreciate the quality and skill of the craftsmen who worked on these designs. The carvings depict in detail scenes of the key moments in the life of Buddha. In addition, there are images of rural life, religious mythology and the zodiac.
Women are not allowed to enter the ordination hall but are free to walk elsewhere. Luckily the building is small so you can see most of the inside standing in front of the temple. The Lanna traditional belief is that the precious item buried beneath the ordination hall 500 years ago may cause “deterioration” to people with pure spirit especially women. tradition.
Like many other temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Sri Suphan offers a “monk chat” session where visitors can talk with the monk about Buddhism, for a fee. If you are interested you can join them on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. On the same days, there’s also a meditation program open to the public, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. These programs are free but donations are always welcomed (at the little donation boxes).
Visitors can also check out the silversmith workshop there to see the craftsmen and monks at work creating metal plates. There is a silver-making course (not free) which requires a reservation one day in advance. See also the exhibition hall explaining the silverworks, and the biographies and sample works of famous artisans.
Planning your visit to Wat Sri Suphan
Wat Sri Suphan is located next to the Wualai Walking Street where the Saturday Night Market takes place, only 600 metres from the old city’s Chiang Mai Gate. On Saturday the temple closes at 9.00 pm| Website | |
| Telephone | +66 61 403 2815 |
| Hours | Daily 6.00am-5.30pm every day (except Saturday closed at 9.30pm). |
| Admission | 50 Baht |
| Address | 100 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai |
Getting around Chiang Mai
Songthaew (pron: song-tail)
Songthaew (aka Road-Daeng, Red Taxi or Red Truck) is the most common and preferred mode of local transportation in Chiang Mai. It’s a converted pickup truck named after its two rows of seats.
Simply wave one down the street (or approach a waiting driver) and tell the driver where you want to go. If it is along the general route or the driver is going that direction, ask the price and hop on. The fare is by person.
For only 30 baht during the daytime (after dark you may need to negotiate a little) you can get a songthaew going anywhere and everywhere in the city,
Tuk-Tuks
Tuk-tuks are a common way of getting around Chiang Mai. These colourful, 3-wheeled vehicles are an unofficial symbol of Thailand. If you are travelling somewhere outside the main city, or are in a hurry, a tuk-tuk is a better option than the slower songthaews.
You can find them near all of the major hotels and tourist areas, such as the night bazaar and Moon Muang Road. Make sure to negotiate the fare before you climb in.
Renting a motorbike
Renting a motorbike is great for those who want to prefer getting around Chiang Mai on their own. Several large motorbike rental companies are available in the city, with every business in touristy areas offering a bike or 2 for rent. The most common models are 100 or 125 cc Hondas, which are reliable and easy to drive.
Chiang Mai is a fairly safe place to ride a motorbike, especially compared to many parts of Thailand.
Taxis
Taxis are few and far in-between in the city of Chiang Mai, and good luck waiving one down. They are mostly found parked outside of the airport, train station, bus station, and large hotels.
Grab
This ride-hailing app is a great way to get around Chiang Mai. Journeys are reserved via a mobile application, and the journey has a fixed fare meaning that you’ll avoid arguments and haggling with taxi drivers. The application allows payment by card, or you can pay the driver in cash.
The best time to visit Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand, situated on the Ping River, is subject to the Aw, Tropical wet and dry or savanna, Köppen climate classification. Influenced by both monsoons and heat, this city endures a climate that deviates between extremes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall. The yearly swing in these climatological elements is momentous, providing distinct wet and dry periods.
Yearly temperatures in Chiang Mai deviate between 14.9°C at their coolest in January, reaching pinnacles of up to 36.5°C by April. Humidity follows a similar gradient, ranging from a low of 52% in March, up to a maximum of 81% between August and September. Rainfall is distinctly seasonal, with minimal amounts registered from 4mm to 18mm, between January to March, followed by a surge to rainfall levels as high as 217mm, notably in August. This rainfall is sustained with visibly extended daylight hours from 12.6 hours in April, to 13.3 hours in June.
Observing sunlight hours unveils that the sunniest period falls between January and March, above 8.6 hours daily, contrasting a relative solar scarcity from June through to September with only 5.2 to 5.5 hours daily. Notably, UV Index readings consistently peak at 12 from March to September. Highlighted by these patterns, Chiang Mai’s climate is characterized by warm, wet summers and milder, dryer winters.
The best time to visit Chiang Mai
Optimally, Chiang Mai should be visited from November to February. During these months, temperatures maintain a comfortable range from 15.7°C to 30.1°C. Humidity is relatively low, rotating between 73% to 75%. Rainfall is minimal with rates between 16mm and 54mm, and daylight lasts for approximately 11 to 11.3 hours. Additionally, travellers can enjoy substantial sunshine, averaging from 7.8 to 8.5 hours daily. The UV index ranges from 8 to 9, mitigating the likelihood of sunburn.
The worst time to visit Chiang Mai
The least favourable time to visit Chiang Mai is during the peak monsoon season, spanning from June to September. This period records elevated rainfall, with values towering from 125mm in June, up to 217mm in August. Humidity peaks to a surging 81%, and daily temperatures still hover between 31.5°C to 34.2°C. Daily sunshine reduces to its lowest – between 5.2 to 5.9 hours, despite long daylight hours from 12.7 to 13.1 hours. The UV Index maxes out at 12, indicating extreme potential for harm from unprotected sun exposure.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Old City
This is the historical heart of Chiang Mai, filled with temples and cultural landmarks. It’s the best area in Chiang Mai for first-time visitors wanting to immerse themselves in the city’s rich
history and culture and there are plentiful accommodation options for all budgets.
Nimmanhaemin (Nimman)
Known for its trendy vibe, Nimman is packed with stylish cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s the best place to stay in Chiang Mai for nightlife and a great choice for young travellers, foodies and digital nomads but it’s also one of the more expensive areas.
Riverside
For a more relaxed and luxurious experience, consider the Riverside area. It’s home to some of the city’s top resorts and restaurants, offeringstunning views of the Mae Ping River.This area is the best place to stay in Chiang Mai for families, couples, luxury travellers and anyone wanting a more tranquil stay.
Night Bazaar
A great area to stay for shopping and nightlife between the Riverside and the Old City. Home to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where you can find a wide array of souvenirs, street food and a lively atmosphere every night. This area is a great place to stay for budget travellers and backpackers as it’s close to the Old City but cheaper.
Santitham
This up-and-coming neighbourhood offers an authentic locale experience, with affordable accommodation and a diverse food scene.
1. PHOR LIANG MEUM TERRACOTTA ARTS
We stayed for three nights at Phor Liang Mueng Terracotta Arts. We had the most wonderful greeting from the staff as we walked through the door. They were amazing throughout our stay.
Our room was quite spacious with a very comfortable bed. We looked over the pool area, which was in a lush garden. This was a great place to relax and cool down after a day of exploring the city.
Probably our favourite thing about the hotel was its location. We were just inside the old city and only minutes walk from the night food market – which is where we headed every night of our stay.
2. MID-RANGE – BAAN BOO LOO VILLAGE
Set on stilts, Baan Boo Loo offers traditional Thai-style rooms in scenic Chiang Mai Old Town. Featuring a well-equipped common kitchen, it provides free WiFi and free parking.
Guest House Baan Boo Loo is a 5-minute walk from the Sunday Walking Street and well-known Wat Phra Singha Temple. It is a 10-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport.
Fitted with teak furnishings and woven Thai fabrics, individually designed rooms come with a seating area and private bathroom. They are fitted with air-conditioning or fan.
After going on a day trip arranged by the tour desk, relax with soothing massages or enjoy quiet afternoons in the library. Alternatively, take up a Thai cooking class at the common kitchen.
Baan Boo Loo also features communal cooking and refrigeration facilities. Guests can enjoy light snack and nonalcoholic beverage free of charge.
3. BUDGET – GREEN SLEEP HOSTEL
In a prime location in the center of Chiang Mai, Green Sleep Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions, a 12-minute walk from Chang Puak Market, 0.8 miles from Chiang Mai Gate and a 12-minute walk from Chang Puak Gate. The property has room service and a tour desk for guests.
More to Explore
