Wat Umong

Getting back to our more immediate “Thai life,” we opted to visit an out-of-the-way temple recommended by a fellow expat.

700 year old chedi

Built in 1297, Wat Umong, also known Wat Umong Suan Puthatham, is a Buddhist temple that was once in the distant forests outside of Chiang Mai.  Now the city proper is pushing its boundaries closer and closer to the temple grounds.

We decided to explore and walked to the temple.  Google maps indicated the trip would take 47 minutes. It took us 1½ hours.

On our walk we encountered a Thai market not geared to the expat trade.

We found fruits, nuts, meats, vegetables, fish and all foods that comprise the Thai diet on display. Helen purchased some dried strawberries and a package of fried mushrooms. We the left the market, crossed the canal and began a series of lefts, rights and lefts on side streets.

Wat Umong

We finally arrived at this quiet, wooded temple complex. Unfortunately, it's now located just west of the north end of the Chiang Mai airport.  The temple serenity is intermittently interrupted by two-engine Airbus aircraft gunning their engine as they climb and bank to some western destination.   The original temple builders could never have anticipated such a modern neighbor.

Nonetheless, the complex does have a serene, contemplative feel.

The temple is famous for its three prayer tunnels and large chedi.  The three tiled tunnels behind the large chedi each have separate entrances that lead to a statue of a Buddha. We removed our shoes and carried them as we respectfully walked the tunnels.

The tunnels were cool and quiet. It is not hard to imagine the numerous monks and ordinary Thais who sought these tunnels to stimulate and support their prayer and meditation.

We walked the tunnels until we emerged at steps that lead us to the large stupa that dominates this 15-acre complex which is still active and houses modern day monks. It has a museum (closed) and a small food stalls near the small lake on the grounds.

We were not looking forward to the 1½  hour walk back to our apartment. Helen spied a songteaw (red taxi) parked with the driver napping in the back. After some negotiation, we had a 20-minute ride back into town for 40 baht each.