If you only have time for one wat. Wat Chedi Luang is the answer
Chidi Luang temple is also often called the Jedi Luang or the wat of The Great Chedi.
Wat Chedi Luang means “royal chedi” and this was the official temple of the Lanna kings situated as it was next to the earlier royal palace. The wat was originally built in the 14th-15th centuries and has been partly renewed more just though the ruined chedi wasn’t reconstructed since evidently no-one is absolute what it was supposed to appear to be.
When Ruler Saenmuangma was 39 years old and had ruled for 16 years when he started to construct the grand pagoda Chedi in the center of his metropolis Chiang Mai. It was built in 1391AD. After about 10 years whilst formatting was going on, he died. His queen had the top of the pagoda finished. When done it was nearly 300 ft high (90m. probably due to stability problems the perfect ordinarily took until mid-15th century to be completed between the reign of ruler Tilokaraj. In 1468, the holy relic the Emerald Lord buddha was installed in the eastern channel.
Attractions in Chidi Luang temple
The original Stupa was constructed in 1391 and by 1475 some expansion to area to it's current building. At one point, this Pagoda housed the Emerald Buddha for six years. In the mid 1500's an earthquake cause the harm that can be seen nowadays. The original height was 84 m. but the current height after the earthquake is 60 m.. All 4 sides have a grand staircase leading to the pinnacle. I preferably liked the stone Naga's on either side of each staircase. There is a groove that houses a golden Buddha at the top of the stairway. It is quite spectacular.
The viharns
The large viharn (assembly hall) beyond to the ruined pagoda was constructed in 1928. Its touching interior, with round columns sustaining a high red ceiling, contains a standing Buddha called the Phra Chao Attarot. Made of brass alloy and chalk, the Lord buddha dates from the time of the temple's founder, Ruler Saen Muang Ma (late 14th century).
A little building houses the city pillar or Sao Inthakin of Chiangmai. The Sao Inthakin is assumed by native citizens to protect the city. Nearby is a small shrine constructed to house the guardian nymphs who delivered the Sao Inthakin over from Paradise.
Dipterocarp treesDwarfing the city pillar holy place is one of the three gum trees assumed to forfend the city from all vile. Legend has it that if this tree ever falls, a great danger will follow.
Monk converseA monk chat club is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the northern side of the grounds. Drop in to converse with them about Buddhism, a monk's life, Thai ethnicity or other relevant topics. They get to train English, and you get face time with a Buddhist monk. (Ladies, be sure not to touch them as it is taboo.) As their sign says, "Don't just stand looking from afar and walk away."
Amazing grounds and fine-looking structures. At around 5:00 the monks arrived for litany. It was surreal to hear them sing and look at them pray. On key Buddhist holidays, such as Visakha Buja, Chidi Luang temple is where worshippers confabulate for the evening candle procession. A distinctive roller system allows wayfarer to leave offerings and prayers atop the chedi during the day. The temple is located on Phra Pokklao Road and is easy to find, since the chedi is one of the tallest structures in the old town.
If you are entering ancient City through the eastern Tha Phae Gate, keep going straight and soon you would approach Chidi Luang temple (Temple of the Giant Stupa) on your left. Don’t forget to also drop by the gorgeous Wat Phan Tao directly nearby to it. A must do!! Very stunning structure and optimistically you can find a budget Chiang Mai day tours with guide that is educated about its history and combine with other important temples in old city.
Starting hours are from 6.00am - 5.00pm Doesn't price to enter.