The pagoda is symbolic landmark in Chiang Mai. It depicts the progression of Buddhism and of Lanna Thai from past to present.
According to legend, a 14th century monk from Sukhothai found a relic from Buddha, and the Lanna King Keu Naone offered to enshrine the piece. The relic was placed on the back of a white elephant, a sacred symbol. He carried the relic up the mountain, stopped on the site where the temple stands today, and died. The temple was constructed in 1383, with a statue honouring the white elephant inside the front gate. I took a hotel tour to visit the temple as my original plans had fallen through. It's a windy road up to the temple, with nice green vegetation.
Admission is 50 baht, which includes a two way tram ticket. We caught the tram up the and walked down the stairs. The admission for walking up is 30 baht.
