‘Wat’ is so unique about Thailand?

What? Yes, Wat!

Do you know what I’m talking about?

Wat, translated to English, means ‘temple’. With 95% of the Thai population being Buddhist, it is not surprising to espy these beautifully crafted temples throughout Thailand.

95% Buddhism

We heard people talk about Bangkok, Bangkok, and more Bangkok… but if you encounter any local Thai, their next question to you would be “Have you visited Chiang Mai yet?” making this historical city a place that is of significance if you want to say you’ve visited Thailand.

Chiang Mai, north of Bangkok

With more than 700 years of history in Chiang Mai, this northern province of Thailand boasts over 300 temples. You can easily spot a good many golden chedis amidst the modern mirror-glassed buildings. I believe it will not be the modern buildings that would steal your attention away, as sophisticated as they can be, but the majestic temples.

The architectural design of them is simply awe-inspiring. They are definitely places of worship that glitters like none other. Thousands and millions of coloured glass and pieces are put together in such intricate design laid in gold as their borders. Each and every one of these pieces form either in symmetrical design or laid out in its historical stories and important figures recorded in Buddhism.

Can you tell me why the bells are there?

What attract me most are these richly adorned walls which tell me stories that not even picture/photo books can satisfy. It is as if all the origins of things come alive and personal, revealing the years of mystical tales and events, going against the rule of time which hides them from our awareness. It is hard to not appreciate these world-class arts. To me, each of these temples is a museum by itself.

To visit Chiang Mai and not seeing at least one temple is blasphemy. You’re missing out the whole point of being in Thailand. Yet to visit all of them might take you days, months, or years, depending on how in depth you’d like to explore the temples.
So how do you go about in visiting these beautiful temples? For me, I'd check out the story behind them through their walls. Be not surprised to find them in chronological sequence, they're as detailed as can be... and I hope it'll bring you into its historical and spiritual journey of Buddhism.

Wall deco of Wat Chiang Mai

What a crowd at Wat Bup Pha Ram's wall!

The walls are sure heavy at Wat Sri Suphan

Do tell me one of the tales you've found out at these temples, I'd love to hear them!

Check out some really good deals to Chiang Mai here!