Near the market square in Chiang Rai is the temple Wat Phra Singh, founded in the XIV century by King Phra Chao Maha Proma approximately 100 years after the founding of the city itself.

Name gave the famous temple in all of Thailand golden Buddha statue Phra Singh, who traveled as much as the Emerald Buddha. Her name means "Buddha in the Lion."

According to legend, the Buddha statue Phra Singh founded in 360 in Sri Lanka, where later she was taken. Desired many rulers statue also visited various cities in Laos and Thailand. In Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Rai has a copy of the Phra Singh Buddha, created in the early XV century. But she, like the original, attracts many Buddhist pilgrims.

The main materials used in the architecture of the temple - dark wood and gold, which combined look particularly grand. Decorations inside and outside the Wat Phra Singh, made entirely by hand by experienced craftsmen north. Thousands of small parts and patterns keep warm those who lovingly created a temple Wat Phra Singh.

The temple complex operates a school of ancient Pali language, which says the majority of the Buddha's teachings.

On the territory of Wat Phra Singh grow two sacred tree Sala Lanka, having great religious significance for all Buddhists. According to legend, Buddha Shakyamuni's mother Queen Maha Maai decided to visit his relatives. Along the way she sat down to rest under a blossoming tree Sala Lanka, that is where the full moon in May 623 BC and Buddha was born.