Lanna Temple Trails day 4

Wat Pa pao

Wat Pa pao

I took another Song Taew riding back in to Tha Pae Street heading to another temple called Wat Pa Pao, where I had once spent my vacation for Songkran (the water festival). This time when I got there, the temple was crowded with people. One of my local friends told me that most of the people gathering there were Thai Yai, from an ethnic group found in northern Thailand, who had gotten together there for a religious ceremony.

Looking from the outside, you can’t see anything interesting about Wat Pa Pao. It looks like a normal monastery. However, when you step inside the temple compound, some impressive examples of ancient architecture grandly appear in your sight.
Wat Pa Pao dates back to the reign of King Inthawichayanon , the 7th king of the Meng Rai Dynasty. It was built by Thai Yai people, who have great faith in Buddhism, to be used as the main site for their religious ceremonies. Even today most of the Thai Yai people in Chiang Mai live in the area around Wat Pa pao. Within the temple compound there are many plants growing, especially one kind of herbal tree locally called “Pao.” That’s where the temple’s name comes from.

The archit6ectural beauty of Wat Pa Pao features a Burmese style pagoda, which it is now left unattended and renovated. Near the chapel gate on the west side there “ Tung Kradang” posts created in compliance with the Burmese belief about worshipping the chedi. In addition, you can see some ancient dolls around the temple compound. At the back of the temple, the monk’s assembly hall is another wonderful example of the magnificent Burmese architectural style. Due to its unique beauty, you can often see grounds of art students sketching pictures of this hall.

Lanna Temple Trails Day 1
Lanna Temple Trails Day 2 Wat Chiang Man.
Lanna Temple Trails Day 3 Wat pan Tao
Lanna Temple Trails Day 4 Wat Pa pao
Lanna Temple Trails Day 5 Wat Jed yod
Lanna Temple Trails Day 6 Wat U-Mong Therachan