It is surrounded by a moat the is 2 km on each side of the square. Inside is a wonderful Arts and Cultural Centre which has many exhibits and videas about the history and life style.
Early on, because the Lanna Kingdom was in the north it was influenced by the Burmese, Laos and Southwestern China. It really didn't gain ties with the Siam Kingdom until the 18th and early 19th century beause the King og of Siam did not want it incorporated into the British or French colonial expansions in the are in the mid 19th century. Thailand has never been a colony of another power. A railway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was completed in only 1921.
There are several temple complexes containing interesting pagoda. One Wat Phra Singh contains a stone Buddha image that looks similar to the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. But this one is not emerald...but is still held to be the most sacred Buddha in the North.
Golden Buddha images in other pagoda are gorgeous with beautifully decorated halls:
Several exterior are lovely. In the photo below the original giant pagoda in the back was destroyed by an earthquake about 200 years ago- it has been partially restored. but a new one was built 100 years ago to replace it is in the foreground:
An unusual white pagoda stands out in the beautiful weather we had while I was there:
There were some other beautiful and odd scenes
A side door in one of the pagoda halls:
A beautiful and fragrant flower on the grounds:
A particular scary Naga...a mythological serpent creature that protects entries to pagodas:
Some interesting signs- please dress politely is a wonderful phrase:
Having a chat with an actual Monk was available:
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