If you are in Chiang Mai, I highly recommendvisit Wat Umong. I myself was pretty quickly bored with ordinary Buddhist temples (in terms of attractions), and therefore I always want to see something of that kind. It is good that the Thais have no problems with fantasy and they will come up with something. Temple of Truth. White Temple, Temple of Hell and Paradise, as well as others that I have not had time to visit.
Inside the tunnel temple of Wat Umong
Tunnel / Cave Temple Wat Umong
Wat Umong is a very nice and old temple. It is also called sometimes cave, but there are more tunnels than caves, as they are not made in the thickness of the stone, but built of brick. I saw something similar in the Rostov region, only darker, mysterious and abandoned - Migulinsky cave monastery.
Vatu Umingu something about 500 years, judging bythe stories of the Thai guide I met in the tunnel. He, together with a group of schoolchildren or students, armed with a light bulb, looked at inscriptions or what other signs on the walls. Seeing me, I asked if I wanted to listen. But there was a lot of confusion on my face (I didn’t expect it somehow), or his English was weak, so the story turned out to be very short, just a few sentences, and then he went back to Thai again.
Retaining wall
Rise to the dais, where the temple is located
Smiling creature with hand torn off.
Ashoka pillar - a copy of the column Ashoka from India
Also a pretty creature, for some reason I like a pig a little
Here it is the tunnel temple of Wat Umong
Entrance to one of the temple tunnels
Tunnels there are not very many, all costin just 5 minutes. But I would not hurry. What for? On the contrary, it is better to turn on the imagination and walk slowly through each one, imagining how many years ago the monks, all in the same orange clothes, walked here, prayed and thought their thoughts. Unfortunately, the tunnels are being destroyed and holes, covered with a plastic roof, are already gaping from above. I don’t know how this temple has things with donations, but they really need to patch these moves there, so your money will not be wasted if you leave.
Inside the tunnel temple of Wat Umong
In special niches of the place for prayer
Quite mysterious and romantic
Tour to the temple of Wat Umong
No piece of roof
Tunnel Temple Wat Umong
Window, grill, lamp and cobweb
On the second tier of the temple is a traditional stupa. But it does not stand on the roof of the tunnel complex, I am near, although visually it all looks like a single building. For some reason, there are almost no people up there, I spent forty minutes there, but there was no one other than a monk chatting on the phone, a yawning dog and crowing roosters.
Stupa at Wat Umong
Monks love to talk on the phone
The roof of the tunnel temple with patches
Tunnel Temple Wat Umong
A flock of roosters around the stupa of Wat Umong
On the territory of Wat Umong unusually calm,there is no tourist atmosphere at all, although the place is rather interesting. I want to sit, relax and enjoy the moment. The temple is open until late, I left somewhere around 6-7 pm, when it was completely dark. True, some objects are closed earlier, such as an art gallery. Be sure to go to the pond, there is a small island with benches and pink flowers, where just awesome place for pacified conversations and thoughts, which can only be interrupted by the sound of turtles fluttering in the water, they strive to bite the finger.
Next to the temple is some abandoned garden with Buddha heads.
Next to the temple is some abandoned garden with Buddha heads.
Dragon with transparent eyes
The territory of the temple Wat Umong
Pond near the temple of Wat Umong
Small isle of thought
Illuminated tree
Umong Tunnel Temple (Wat Umong)
Umong Tunnel Temple (Wat Umong)
Very nice and old temple. It is also called sometimes cave, but there are more tunnels than caves. There is also a lake with turtles.
Read about the temple
Very nice and old temple. It is also called sometimes cave, but there are more tunnels than caves. There is also a lake with turtles. Read about the temple
P.S. If you are going to visit Chiang Mai and are looking for accommodation, I remind you that we have Chiang Mai's 22 guesthouses overview. Or you can search and book a hotel in Chiang Mai on the service RoomGuru.
