Wat Umong, Chiang Mai
Wat Umong Chiang Mai is a forest temple known for its ancient tunnels and tranquil, tree-shaded grounds, drawing visitors seeking a peaceful escape from the city.
Wat Umong, Chiang Mai
Wat Umong lies in woodland at the foot of Doi Suthep, west of the old city, and is unlike any other temple in Chiang Mai. It was founded in the fourteenth century and its distinguishing feature is a set of brick tunnels cut into the base of the hill - vaulted passages, dim and cool, with niches holding Buddha images, built as meditation cells.
Above the tunnels stands a large weathered chedi, and the grounds run on into forest where a lake, feeding pigeons and turtles, and a scatter of broken Buddha images collected from elsewhere give the place a deliberately unrestored feel. Sayings of the Buddha in Thai and English are hung from the trees along the paths.
It is a working forest monastery with resident monks and a meditation programme, and it is markedly quieter than the old city temples.
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