Wat Ku Tao Chiang Mai

Wat Ku Tao Chiang Mai

Wat Ku Tao is a large and wealthy Shan-style temple not far from central Chiang Mai.

It's notable for its chedi that sports the design of five stacked watermelons with diminishing size. It was built in the early 17th century and holds the remains of a Burmese prince and son of the local ruler (Chiang Mai was under Burmese rule at that time). The chedi gave the temple its name as "Tao" means water-melon in the northern Thai dialects.

Other buildings in the temple grounds are recent, but the huge main hall with its shining white paneling herald the temple's wealth and importance.

The temple grounds have several more buildings and feels quite crammed. But the lush tree canopy and its shining chedi make this a temple with a serene atmosphere that is well worth visiting.