Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai

Wat Suan Dok (pronounced dork) is one kilometre west of the city moat. It dates from 1370 and was originally inside the walls of a settlement of the Lawa people. The 48-metre-tall golden chedi in Sri Lankan style can be seen from some distance away; to it are rows of whitewashed mausoleums of the Chiang Mai Royal Family. The ubosot, in rich golds, blues and reds, dating from 1932, features two Buddha statues, one facing outwards towards the chedi and one facing inwards. The inside Buddha is seated in meditation, while the outward looking one is standing, holding a sheath of straw. The wat was not busy when I was there, being  hot-weather-not-quite walking distance from the main tourist stops.