WAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CHIANG MAI?

Everybody who visits Chiang Mai gets bussed to the temple of Doi Suthep.But there's lots more worthwhile wats to visit in Thailand's old northern capital. There are over a thousand temples here, but time only permitted us to visit six of the best.

Wat Phra Singh is probably

the temple one should not miss.

Wat Phra Singh's classical
example of Lanna architecture.

The raised library
of Wat Phra Singh.

Wat Chedi Luang is famous

for its ruined massive chedi.

Reclining Buddha at Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Chiang Man is

Chiang Mai's oldest temple.

The chedi of Wat Chiang Man.

Panorama of Wat Suan Dok,

outside of the Chaing Mai city wall.

Reliquaries of past kings

at Wat Suan Dok.

The anorexic monk of

Wat Umong, a forested temple.

Panorama of Wat Ched Yot,

famed for its unusual 7-spired chedi.

The grounds of Wat Ched Yot.

NORTHERN THAILAND 7-12 September 2010

Taking a short break from work and concert activities, the Chang family visited Northern Thailand for six relaxed but activity filled days. Here is the photographic evidence.

View of Chiang Mai

from high up at Doi Suthep.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep,
Chiang Mai's mountain-top temple.

Watch out, my mom bites!
@ Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Tha Pae Gate, at the
walls of old Chiang Mai.

Bridge over a khlong at Chiang Mai.

Royal Pavilion @

Royal Floral Rajapreuk.

A toilet for elephants?

Mae Ping Elephant Camp

The extraordinary Wat Rong Khun

outside Chiang Rai.

Gothic horror @

Wat Rong Khun

Apex of the Golden Triangle,

bordered by Thailand, Myanmar & Laos.

Padaung girls at a hilltribe village,

outside Chiang Rai.

Ruins of Wat Mahathat at Sukhothai,

300 km south of Chiang Mai.