Wat Ku Tao

It is a Burmese-style temple dating from the 16th century and is especially noted for its chedi, which consists of a series of spheres of decreasing size that supposedly represent alms bowls.

Wat Ku Tao was originally known as Wat Veru Varawan, and was built to house the ashes of a Burmese Prince named Prince Saravadi, whose father, King Bayinnaung, ruled Chiang Mai from 1579-1607. Though there is no concrete evidence, it is thought the temple was built after his death.

It later garnered the name Wat Ku Tao, literally watermelon, because of the inexplicable shape of the chedi. The style is said to come from Yunnan Province in southern China, with the spheres, or ‘watermelons’, representing steps along the path to truth. It sits on a square base and on each side of the chambers is a niche containing a Burmese Buddha image.

The chedi has pieces of glass stuck to it in the shape of flowers, while the columns flanking the niches are influenced by Western style. Wat Ku Tao was restored during the tenure of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V; r1868-1910) and has also recently undergone refurbishment.

Though the chedi is the temple’s most striking feature, it’s worthb taking a stroll round the entire compound as some of the buildings have magnificent stacked roofs in the Burmese style.

Though it’s situated in a busy residential area to the north of downtown Chiang Mai, its high walls and huge trees give the compound a restful aura.