Located in northern Thailand, the old city of Chiang Mai was constructed within its fortification walls & moat in 1296 by King Mangrai to serve as his new capital city. The king then built Wat Chiang Man as the capital’s first temple the following year. The Elephant Chedi (or stupa) is the oldest construction within the complex. Though the upper levels of the stupa are shining, gilded gold, the brick & stucco base has 15 life sized elephant statues emerging from it! Within the main halls are lavishly decorated shrines surrounded by standing, sitting & reclining Buddhas, some of which date as far back as the mid 1400s.
Chris & Angela's travel blog
