The Wat Suan Dok is located on Suthep Road in the old royal flower garden or \’suan dok\’, situated just outside the old city walls. It was built in the early 14th century (circ.1371-83), to house a very holy Buddhist relic brought from Sukhothai. The legend says that on the relics arrival it miraculously split in two – half was kept at Wat Suan Dok and the other half was buried at Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep Mountain. The main open wihan was rebuilt in 1932 by Khru Ba Siwichai and contains several important Buddha images. The bot contains some fine murals as well as a 500 year old bronze Buddha statue, which at over 4.7m high, is believed to be one of Thailand\’s largest metal images.
In 1909, Princess Dararasami, a Chiang Mai Princess and Consort of King Rama V, decreed that the ashes of all the Chiang Mai royal family should be interred in the wat\’s small white chedi. The extensive grounds contain the campus of a Buddhist University. The wat complex is also a favorite spot for photographers, particularly during sunset.