Wat Chedi Sao

Overview

Wat Chedi Sao Lang - the Temple of Twenty Chedis - sits in the countryside about 3 km north of Lampang town in northern Thailand. Its name aptly describes its defining feature: a courtyard filled with twenty elegant, whitewashed Lanna-style bell-shaped chedis, a striking sight in the soft light of early morning.

What visitors find / highlights

Beyond the distinctive cluster of white-and-gold stupas, the temple’s prize possession is a solid-gold seated Buddha image displayed in a pavilion set over a pond. The peaceful rural setting and manicured grounds make it a rewarding short trip out from the city.

Location

In Ban Wang Muang, on the northern edge of Lampang, easily reached by songthaew or car from the town centre.

Wat Chedi Sao translates as the Temple of Twenty Chedis, and the name aptly describes what the place is about: 20 exquisitely designed, bell-shaped chedis stand in the courtyard, a sight to behold in the early morning light. It lies around 3 km from the city centre but is well worth the short journey.

The temple’s origins are debated, but one popular version tells of two Indian monks who arrived over 2,000 years ago to spread the teachings of the Buddha. They impressed a local prince, who built the temple in their honour, taking 10 hairs from each monk and raising one chedi as a shrine for each hair.

The site features several Buddha images, along with statues of historical deities drawn from both Chinese and Hindu belief. One of the more notable is a fasting Buddha, a far cry from the plump image usually seen in Thai temples. Behind the chedis is a museum, its lower floor devoted mostly to monks and the items they use in daily life, many donated by supporters, and its upper floor holding artefacts gathered from the temple and surrounding region.