This is my first visit to Chiang Mai and I am surprised that it is quite different from Bangkok. I imagined Chiang Mai to be a smaller version of Bangkok because they say it is the 2nd largest city in Thailand. However, I can hardly see any tall buildings there and this became an important difference because there is no shade! The Sun is unbearably hot in October and I found myself retreating back to my hotel room after lunch. Only to emerge again after sunset.

The other alternative is to hide in a nice cafe and there are plenty of them around. There are only 3 shopping malls and they are quite boring as compared to those in Bangkok. In short, Chiang Mai is not a shopping destination for branded goods. However, handicrafts and handmade products are plentiful. They are locally made and designed with a strong sense of traditional Thai identity and aesthetic.

While Chiang Mai is lacking in shopping malls, it is full of Buddhist temples and it is my dream vacation. I could have easily spent an hour or more in each temple, taking photos of their interesting architecture, wall designs and religious icons. It seems like each temple tells a unique tale and its design was highly influenced by its founding abbot.

The Buddhist scene in Chiang Mai is not shy of acknowledging local folk beliefs and you’ll see local deities, mythological animals, magical spells, etc being featured prominently by each temple. For example, Wat Sri Suphan is unapologetic about preventing women from entering the inner sanctum of the Silver Chapel. According to local beliefs, menstruation blood is considered a pollution to holy artifacts and causes them to lose their efficaciousness! It is believed that many ancient religious artifacts were buried underneath the silver chapel. The signage even skilfully suggested that any woman trespasser might incur the wrath of the locals and that may lead to social unrest! It sounded serious enough for me.

Actually, there isn’t such a belief in Buddhism and it is purely a local cultural belief. I guess this is the Buddhist way of accommodating local beliefs into its system. As the saying goes, “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” Within Chiang Mai, I only encountered 2 temples that prohibit women from entering. Besides Wat Sri Suphan, another temple that prevents women from entering is the City Pillar Temple.

Entering the inner sanctum of this beautiful silver Buddhist chapel is like going into a giant tin box? But one that is intricately covered by silver carvings and art. The vibe felt great and if you look carefully, there are tiny niches in the wall that are covered by silver carving and glass. Peeking through the glass, I was pleasantly surprised to see holy relics enshrined within!

Wat Sri Suphan can still be enjoyed by women because its exterior is equally ornate. Plus there is a statue of Ganesha’s pet mouse outside the silver chapel. This mouse is believed to fulfill your wishes. Simply whisper your wishes into its ear to tell it your deepest desire. You may wonder why there is a Hindu god inside a Buddhist temple. Well, Buddhists simply believe that all Gods represent goodness and therefore don’t clash with Buddhist principles.

Wat Sri Suphan is open until 11 p.m. on Saturday because there is a large Saturday night market directly outside the temple. Popularly known as the Wau Lai Night Market. This is achieved by closing off Wau Lai Road to traffic on Saturday evening and inviting street vendors to set up stalls on the road. You can find all sorts of products being peddled there. T-shirts, handicrafts, touristy souvenirs, arts, photos, street food, etc. I enjoyed this night market very much because the experience was unique and festive.

Here’s some photos to share. Hope you enjoy reading my experience and may you be well and happy.