Silver - A Golden Treasure of Chiang Mai

In the southern parts of Chiang Mai, outside Chiang Mai gate lays the Wualai district. This is the historical center of silver making in Chiang Mai. Due to many different reasons there are only about 30 silversmiths left today. In the narrow streets behind the heavy trafficked main street of Wualai you can still hear the hammering from the silversmiths and get an insight to the silver culture of Lanna. Silvermaking in Chiang Mai traces its roots back to the Shan state of Burma hundreds of years ago. Wualai is actually the name of the Shan peoples former home village in Burma.

Today the diligent people of Wualai are trying to revitalize this district again. One way of doing it, is the creation of a splendid silver-/aluminum pavilion in the temple Wat Muan Sarn (Wualai soi 4) and the silver temple (bot) Wat Sri Supharn in Wualai (look for the blue sign in the main Wualai Rd.). The pavilion seems completed, but the silver temple is still under construction and donations are very appreciated to make the dream of this silver treasure come alive.

Jan and I walked around the area and would like to spread the word of this wonderful place in Chiang Mai. The abbot, Than Pharkrue Phitaksuthi, himself a native of Chiang Rai, and one of the silversmiths Khun Tim Franke took time to explain the whole project for us. The main obstacles are due to lack of funding and that there simply aren’t enough qualified silversmiths around these days. While the abbot was explaining the symbolic meaning of the temple reliefs for me, Jan spotted a Naga head under construction under a holy Bodhi tree. The share beauty of this creation struck as piece of modern art.

If you visit Chiang Mai, take your time to visit Wualai silver street and these two temples. In Wat Sri Supharn small donations around 100 baht can also help to make a difference. There are no entrance fees to the temples. And by the way, don't miss it, every late Saturday afternoon Wualai turns into a walking street.

Written by: ^PS  | Photos by: ^JF