Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is marked by a chedi supported by rows of carved stone elephants that appear to be emerging from the brickwork. King Mengrai founded the temple in twelve ninety-six when he established Chiang Mai as his new capital. He lived here while the city walls were under construction. The complex holds two small, highly revered Buddha statues, the crystal Phra Sila and the marble Phra Setangamani, which were carried here from older kingdoms to protect the new city from disaster.