This is really one of the best temple complexes in the Chiang Mai area. It's a bit further out than most of the other temples, but that means fewer tourists, which is a good thing.
This isn't a single temple, but rather, a complex and will offer you both older sites and more modern temple buildings. The older sites are particularly fascinating and although they're billed as in the Indian style, the Khmer influence is obvious. The entire grounds are peaceful, much of it shaded (REALLY nice) on a hot, sunny day and a place where you can just casually walk, sit and enjoy yourself.
The one caution that I'd offer is to make sure that you arrange round trip transportation, because it is a bit out beyond the city center. We took a taxi out and our hotel assured us that getting transportation back would be no problem. That wasn't exactly the case. We couldn't find any transportation at the sire and since it's located next to the super highway, the local options just weren't there. They do have a tourist information office, but no one there spoke any English, so they weren't able to offer any help in that regard. We finally left the grounds and headed for the Maya Center up the road. We were finally able to snag a tuk tuk and get back to the old city, but I wouldn't want to chance it if you can help it. Do yourself a favor and hire round trip transportation, then enjoy a really fine experience at the complex.
My friend and I met a driver when we were at a temple in the Old City, who offered to drive us round half a dozen places or so for something stupid like 200 tbh. I'd had a similar experience in Phuket a few years ago and asked if it was the same system where he got stamps for taking tourists to shops; he confirmed it was. Turned out to be a lucky day for us!
He took us to some great places, my favourite of which was this temple. Our driver said its the oldest in Chiang Mai. The detail on the buildings is incredible and it was so quiet and rather than swamped by tourists and people selling tat. It was a pleasant change. We visited at the end of their new year and it was adorned in colourful banners and flags in celebration. So glad we had the opportunity to visit here.
Our local host, Khun Nueng Nathibayapthis brought us to this temple by his car. I love this temple because so quite, mystic, ancient, but well preserved. Thanks Khun Nueng!
Lying northwest of the city center, on the other side of the super highway, Wat Jed Yod dates its construction to the Kingdom of Lanna’s Golden Age. King Tilokaraj ordered it built to be the venue for the 8th World Buddhist Council in 1477. The name Jed Yod means Seven Towers, after the seven chedis that form the upper part of the viharn. Very different from other temples in and around Chiang Mai, it is modeled on the Mahaboudhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, where the Buddha achieved his enlightenment. Still in good condition, its walls feature sculpted reliefs of Buddhist angels
The tall chedi in the compound was erected in 1487, the year of Tilokaraj’s death, and houses his ashes. In the higher niches are seated Buddha images. The large tree in the glade next to it grew from a seed of the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, under which the Buddha sat during his enlightenment. The park here is very quiet and shady and the compound draws few tourists, mostly just local residents.
Very ancient, several old Temples set amongst gardens and very old trees. Very scenic different from other temples, not far to get to. Ordination hall females aren’t allowed in but it was locked up
anyway when I was there so no one could get in.
Google maps link here is giving wrong location, just search using the words Wat Ched Yot and it’s perfect!
