Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
Construction began in the 14th century and took almost 100 years to complete. At 82m tall, the chedi was the highest structure in the Lanna Kingdom. An emerald Buddha was installed inside the chedi but, following the earthquake in 1545 and the collapse of the upper part of the chedi, the Buddha was moved to Luang Prabang in Laos. The partial chedi restoration in the 1990s has been controversial with claims of an inauthentic Thai-style finish rather than the original Lanna-style. The site also has a viharn containing a Buddha cast in the 14th century, a pavilion at the rear with a reclining Buddha, as well as the Chiang Mai city pillar. Walking round the huge site is particularly inspiring at night when everything is illuminated, including the uppermost parts of the ruined chedi.
