Many tourists visit Wat Sri Suphan, the ‘silver temple,’ but few know there’s actually another one close by. Wat Muen San isn’t quite as intricate or impressive as Wat Sri Suphan, but it’s serenely quiet and well worth a visit.
Both silver temples are found in the Wua Lai area, which is famous for its silversmiths. The first mention of Wat Muen San in ancient writings was in the 1400s, so although the silver buildings were built more recently, the site itself is nearly 600 years old. Like the hall at Wat Sri Suphan, most of it isn’t pure silver but alloys, with pure silver reserved for the most important images.
The Suttajitto Gallery
The Suttajitto Gallery is the first thing you’ll see when you enter the temple complex. The gallery, completely restored by 2010, contains wax figures of renowned monks and intricate images hammered in silver. It was closed when I visited, but it’s usually open. Don’t miss the back wall, which is almost as spectacular as the back wall of the silver hall at Wat Sri Suphan!
The pavilion
This lovely little building is a recent addition, completed in 2022, to house a silver Buddha image.
The chedi gallery
Right by the Suttajitto Gallery is a wall of silver carvings of various chedis.
The viharn and ubosot
There’s no silver work on or around the viharn (assembly hall) or ubosot (ordination hall), but they’re still lovely buildings to admire. They were both closed when I visited.
The chedi
Restoration of the Lanna-style chedi was completed in 1927.
The silver museum and World War II memorial
The temple complex also has its own silver museum and a World War II memorial dedicated to Japanese soldiers. The museum contains artefacts from World War II as well as silverware, so it’s worth checking out if you’re interested in the war.
The Khruba Siwichai statue
Like many temples in northern Thailand, Wat Muen San has a statue of the beloved monk Khruba Siwichai. He was renowned for his compassion, charisma, and building and restoring temples, including Wat Phra Singh. Some speculated that he was a bodhisatta, a person on the path to becoming a Buddha.
The grounds
The grounds aren’t huge, but there are a few benches where visitors can rest and relax in silence.
The gate
The gate isn’t actually part of the temple complex, but it’s quite pretty and if you’re looking for the temple, you’ll know you’re nearly there when you see this gate and the colourful building beside it.
Visiting Wat Muen San
When I visited, there were a couple of other tourists who followed from Wat Sri Suphan, but once they left, I was the only person there. So if you’re looking for an impressive temple without the crowds, Wat Muen San might just be it!
- Address: 13 Wua Lai Rd, Haiya Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
- Admission: Free
- How to get there: Wat Muen San is a 4-minute walk (0.2 mi/350 m) from Wat Sri Suphan and within walking distance from anywhere in the old city. You could also take a taxi or rent a scooter. If you take a tuktuk, be careful you don’t get roped into a scam involving a gem shop!
Nearby attractions
- Wua Lai Street (0.2 mi/300 m)
- Wat Sri Suphan (0.2 mi/350 m)
- Wat Nantaram (0.4 mi/600 m)
- Chiang Mai Gate (0.8 mi/1.4 km)
- Wat Chedi Luang (0.9 mi/1.5 km)
- Wat Phra Singh (1 mi/1.6 km)
Atlas and a Camera 