Wat Pa Pao

Another temple not on the usual tourist circuit is Wat Pa Pao, a significant temple built in 1883 for the Shan community, who come from the Shan State of North Eastern Myanmar, and an impressive example of Burmese architecture in Chiang Mai. Named for the grove of pao trees the temple was originally built in, “pa” means jungle or forest in Thai, you’ll quickly notice that the shape and decoration of the main temple building and chedi look distinctly different from all the other the Lanna and Thai-style temples around. The chedi, for example, is more bell-shaped and decorated with mythical creatures as well as a large qilin, a creature resembling a lion with a dragon head, at each corner surrounding the chedi. Though the temple is close to the Old City, many people don’t know about it and it’s hidden just enough that one can easily pass by without noticing it on near the northeast corner of the moat. The Shan, who are also known as Tai Yai in Thailand, use Wat Pa Pao as a community centre and gathering place for festivals, rituals and more.

Location: Maneenopparat Road just before the corner