My trip to Thailand officially began with a meaningful first stop in Ban Luang, where we visited Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong Worawihan. Since this was my first time in Chiang Mai, I felt that visiting a temple was one of the best ways to begin the journey. Temples are not only places of worship, but they also reveal so much about the local culture, architecture, and way of life. This particular place is known as one of the high-ranking temples in the region, and after seeing it for myself, I could understand why.
We arrived at Chiang Mai Airport at around 5 PM, and from there, everything moved quite fast. After clearing arrival procedures, buying a SIM card, and booking a Grab car, it was already close to 6 PM. The ride to Ban Luang took around an hour, so by the time we reached the temple area, it was already around 7 PM. Even so, I was still excited because there was enough time to explore a little before calling it a night.
At first, it seemed like we would not be able to enter. The front gate was already closed, and I honestly thought we had missed our chance. We decided to simply walk around the area and admire the place from outside. Luckily, one of the side entrances was still open. We took a peek, and that was when a security guard greeted us and kindly told us that we were still allowed to go inside. That small moment already made the experience memorable for me. It was such a warm welcome to Thailand.
As a first-time visitor to a temple complex like this, I was immediately amazed by the incredible architecture. The place feels grand, but at the same time very peaceful. I realized quickly that this was more than just a beautiful temple. It is a whole complex that serves different purposes for the community, including spaces for meditation and other activities. That gave the place more depth for me because it showed how deeply connected religion and daily life are here.
What fascinated me the most was how everything seemed to be built around the golden stupa, which instantly became the centerpiece of the whole complex. There is a kind of visual rhythm in the way the buildings, walkways, and sacred spaces are arranged around it. Another thing that really caught my attention was the sacred tree supported by huge wooden bracings. I found that feature incredibly unique. It felt like nature, faith, and craftsmanship were all meeting in one place.
The details of the temple were also stunning. The gold ornaments, intricate patterns, and decorative elements made every corner worth photographing. Even though it was already night, the warm lights made the temple glow beautifully. In fact, I think the night atmosphere added more drama and mystery to the photos. Every detail looked more striking against the dark sky, and that made the whole complex feel even more magical.
But beyond the architecture and photography, what stayed with me the most was the feeling of serenity in the place. As I got closer to the golden stupa, everything felt quieter, calmer, and more surreal. There was a sense of awe that is difficult to explain, like the place naturally invites you to slow down and be present. It was such a beautiful way to begin this Thailand trip.
This first stop in Chiang Mai already gave me a memorable experience, and it made me even more excited to explore more of the region. If this is how the trip begins, then I can only imagine how many more incredible places and moments are waiting ahead.
I will definitely be revisiting Chiang Mai soon.
