Wat Sam Pao

Deep within the heart of Chiang Mai, a hidden gem awaits discovery. Wat Sam Pao, a temple unlike any other, beckons with its nautical theme. It’s a curious sight, hundreds of miles from the sea. Wat Sam Pao’s entrance is adorned with ship-shaped ornaments atop its columns. Even the roof finial features two fish-like creatures, a departure from the usual mythical naga. These ships, complete with fish figures mirroring the roof finial, carry intricate details. A central mondop tower houses a Buddha image, flanked by gilt umbrellas and kneeling Devata figures. The viharn at Wat Sam Pao gleams with recent renovations. Its golden facade shines brilliantly in the sun. Colourful makkara now guard the entrance, spewing naga from their jaws where chinthe lions once stood. The triple-tiered roof is a masterpiece, its ends adorned with elaborate gilt nagas. Atop the roof, lifelike chofa, resembling monster-like eagles, perch. And at the very peak, a unique finial displays fish resting on nagas. The renovated viharn retains its white stucco base and teak columns. The porch boasts a richly decorated gable end with gilt floral motifs. Thick gilt moldings frame the windows against a red base. The ubosot, currently under renovation, awaits its whitewash and new naga bargeboards. The gable end, typically adorned with gilt floral motifs, will surely be regilded. The tiled roof consists of two interlocking sections. Traditional chofa eagle heads sit at the apex. The four windows on each side boast deep gilt moldings and floriated designs. The teak doors are carved with Devata figures amidst floral motifs. Wat Sam Pao’s chedi stands in classic Burmese style, a high square base rising in layers to support the gilt mid-section and golden finial. A low fence encircles the ambulatory at the chedi’s base, adorned with gilt animals and mythical creatures amid floral patterns. The corners feature small mondop-shaped ornaments. Nearby, reliquary towers commemorate the departed. Often accompanied by photographs, they bear recent offerings of flowers and food. Wat Sam Pao truly is a unique temple, its nautical theme a surprising yet captivating element in the heart of Chiang Mai.