Wat Umong Mahathera Chan image

Wat Umong Mahathera Chan

Tourist attraction Buddhist temple Place of worship

👍 This place is very old, built around 1297,it has an air of peace and tranquilty about it, good place to bring a book to read at the shaded tables in the grounds. Buddhist philosophy is presented on plaques tied to trees. It is actually a meditation training center also. People often mention temple, meditation, Buddha, Umong, Chiang,


Address

129 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Contact

+66 81 993 7249

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (291 reviews)

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: temple (17) meditation (9) Buddha (9) Umong (6) Chiang (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Miles M. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is very old, built around 1297,it has an air of peace and tranquilty about it, good place to bring a book to read at the shaded tables in the grounds. Buddhist philosophy is presented on plaques tied to trees. It is actually a meditation training center also.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jérôme • �. 7 months ago on Google
    Wat Umong was built around 1296-1297 and is believed to relate to Wat Umong (Buddha Dhamma) at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain, where Phra Maha Thera Chan, a Buddhist monk famous for his profound understanding of Dharma, resided. It is possible that this Wat Umong was the temple where Phra Maha Thera Chan was ordained and resided for a period of time before moving to Wat Umong (Buddha Dhamma). This temple is sometimes called Wat Umons Thera Chan. The assembly hall at Wat Umons is a rectangular Lanna-style building, adorned with apex finials, Naga bargeboards, and pediments. The stairway at the front of the hall is flanked by two stucco lions. The principal stupa is a Lanna-style bell-shaped stupa, located to the west of the assembly hall. The subsidiary stupa is located to the south of the assembly hall. It is believed to be a mondo stupa, influenced by the Bagan-style mondop and Lanna bell-shaped stupa. It probably had a roof to shelter worshipers from rain and sun, similar to Bagan-style buildings.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 dave w. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty nice, with some signs around with supposedly enlightened sayings, however, only one sign really mattered. It was the one that pointed out that women were not allowed. It said in Thai, "water well... women no enter". Why women? Why not men too? There is nothing in the original text to support this misogyny. Other than this, the place was quite pleasant.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Craig James I. 1 year ago on Google
    Favorite peaceful place in Chiang Mai. I came here every morning to sit under a tree and contemplate the Buddha. They also have organized meditation and chanting, but I didn’t participate in these. Lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kel W. 4 years ago on Google
    Off the beaten for most tourists but this is one of the temples that should be on your list of places to visit. The head monk speaks good English here, and is only to happy to talk about the history of the temple and the monks who reside here. It is a place for meditation with a small meditation area for people who want to genuinely take part in a meditation experience here. Shady, great to get out of the midday sun, but as someone who lives not far from this temple, I would say go early morning. It is amazingly peaceful, and you may be lucky enough to see the monks collecting alms from local devotees.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael C. 6 years ago on Google
    A very historical and sacred place where to find help in meditation
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Chartviboon C. 6 years ago on Google
    This temple was built about the same time as Wat Chiang man (the first Buddhist temple in Chiangmai). This temple also built by Three Kings who founded the city of Chiangmai. Two very old stupas are still exist in the temple. Nowadays this temple is opened for people who interested in Vipassana practice with accommodations for both Thais and foreigners.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Veggies H. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful temple with lanna style

  • 5/5 American Y. 6 months ago on Google
    They do real spiritual practice here

  • 5/5 Markus �. 11 months ago on Google
    Another beautiful wat in Chiang Mai See associated meditation teaching center.

  • 5/5 S H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very welcoming temple. I was greeted by a friendly volunteer who welcomed me in and told about their activities. They offer daily vipassana meditations from 13:00-16:00 and chanting together with the monks from 18:00-19:00. Other than that a peaceful garden with almost a park-atmosphere.

  • 5/5 Hiro E. 1 year ago on Google
    my favorite chill spot in changmai

  • 5/5 Enric M. 1 year ago on Google
    A small and quiet temple in the heart of Chiang mai.

  • 5/5 Ahmet Faruk T. 1 year ago on Google
    Overly peaceful. Free

  • 5/5 Bhie B. 1 year ago on Google
    First of all make shure that you go to Wat Umong Mahathera Chan and not to Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham which is outsinde of the Old town in the forest. The exterior of the temple is not very spectacular. I visited the temple to see the murals in the viharn. They are colorful depictions of the Vessantara Jātaka. This is one of the most beloved narratives of the Buddha's past lives. In this last life before his birth as Siddhartha Gautama, he was a prince named Vessantara. From his earliest youth he gave away everything to the needy. When he also gave away a white elephant to the neighboring kingdom, the people became rebellious, as it was believed that the white elephant would ensure the kingdom's supply of rain. He was therefore banished from the kingdom. But he could not stop giving everything away. He gave away his chariot, his children and his wife. A vicious role is played by old Bhramane Jujaka. He had a pretty young wife who desperately wanted domestic servants. The old Bhramane and his pretty wife can be easily identified in the pictures. Since Vessantara also gave away his children, angels (Devas) had to take care of the little ones. But everything turns out well. The family is reunited and, riding on elephants, they move back into Vessantara's kingdom. This can also be seen clearly in one of the pictures (two elephants with magnificent seats and soldiers in green uniforms). There are also several pictures of the evil Jujaka. In one of them he is sitting on a tree and is threatened by a hunter and dogs. In a second picture, he visits his guru, who shows him the way with an outstretched hand. There are also pictures of stories from Buddha's life: Buddha subduing Mara with the earth mother Phra Mae Thoranee doing the trick with her long hair. The famous serial killer Angulimala is also depicted kneeling before Buddha. And, of course, the taming of the wild elephant can be seen. The elephant was sent by Devadatta to trample Buddha, but is tamed by Buddha’s energy.

  • 5/5 Travers V. 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful and quiet temple in Chiang Mai city

  • 5/5 Arnold A. 2 years ago on Google
    Every Saturday and Sunday, chanting and meditation start at 1pm for two hours. Very solemn. I always find calmness and happiness at Wat Umongmahatherachan. Regular meditators are warm,welcoming and super-nice. Helpful hint: be there at 1245

  • 5/5 Brad C. 1 year ago on Google
    A nice Temple with garden that has various signs of Buddhist affirmations to read and contemplate. Some of the structures date back 700 years.

  • 5/5 Hans S. 5 years ago on Google
    A nice tranquil temple with a lot of history. The abbot is very friendly and helpful. If you look for peace and may want to meditate too ... then this is the right place to go ...

  • 5/5 Jimmie K. 2 years ago on Google
    Surprisingly pleasant

  • 4/5 david w. 4 years ago on Google
    temple with monk School​ beautiful paintings inside

  • 5/5 L D. 4 years ago on Google
    Small and unassuming with a little meditation garden and toilets available for all. Take your shoes off, respect the Buddha!

  • 5/5 Nitikorn P. 4 years ago on Google
    Tranquil. There are some small cottages for people who want to practice medication alone. You should visit the 9-face Buddha image too.


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