Explore Lanna Museum at Ancient Chiang Mai Temple
A museum in a historic Chiang Mai temple displays centuries-old Lanna artifacts including royal howdahs, Buddhist statues, and the meditation seat of a 15th-century king, with free admission Tuesday through Sunday.
Wat Phra That Sri Jom Thong Worawiharn in Ban Luang subdistrict, Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai, is an ancient temple housing a sacred relic of the Buddha—specifically the right frontal bone—and serves as the natal-year pagoda for those born in the year of the Rat. The temple museum, located beside the relic pagoda, occupies a former Dharma school building. This single-story traditional Lanna brick structure displays numerous valuable artifacts. Upon entering from the left, visitors encounter many stone inscriptions, royal cloths, elephant howdah cannons called "am-mok," and Lanna-style wooden devotional pedestals inlaid with gold leaf, which were used when removing relics from their indoor sanctuary. Further along are various ancient weapons arranged in glass cabinets, water channels, flower receptacles, and most notably, the meditation seat of Phra Ratana Racha (Phra Mueang Kaew)—a 15th-century Lanna piece belonging to King Tilok, the 11th Mangrai dynasty monarch of Lanna (1438–1468), who built the main vihara in 1458 and enshrined the Chom Thong relics in 1460.
The museum also houses an elephant howdah called "saluang kan ham" presented by the sixth Chiang Mai ruler, crafted from wood and decorated with ivory. A seventh-era howdah, donated by a later Chiang Mai lord, is similarly displayed. Wooden carved flower bowls inlaid with gold and studded with glass—used to present flowers, incense, and candles during religious ceremonies—are arranged in an eye-catching cluster. Equally striking are ancient Buddhist statues unearthed from archaeological sites in Hod district, along with ancient pillar fragments in Lanna style dating to the 15th century, originally positioned within the vihara before the main pagoda. These wooden carved, gold-inlaid pillars represent craftsmanship enduring through time. Many other artifacts are on display, including royal stupas, 800 small Buddha stupas, bowls, glazed wares, and everyday implements—all worthy of personal viewing. The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed Mondays, with free admission. Telephone: 0-5334-2184.
