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Wat Phra That Chang Kham (built 1406 onward)

Wat Phra That Chang Kham Vora Viharn, the "Monastery of the the Relic Supported by Elephants", is located in the center of Nan directly to the east of the National Museum, and within close proximity to several other important wats. The monastery owes its name to the large chedi located behind the viharn. Built in 1406, the chedi comprises a gilded upper portion supported by a square base, around which are the forequarters of 24 elephants--six to a side. In Buddhist cosmology this represents a the structure of Mount Meru, the central world-mountain whose base is supported by elephants.

To the south of the chedi stands the viharn. Inside are two important Buddha images cast in 1426-27 in Sukhothai style. These are two of a set of five commissioned by the ruler Ngua Ran Pha Sum. Two of the others are at Wat Phaya Phu (located nearby), and the fifth image is at Wat Na Pang.

To the east of the viharn is a grander structure that is Thailand's largest ho trai (Buddhist library). It is decorated in the Rattanakosin style of King Rama III with two garudas on the front facade; one is placed at the center of the front gable, the other hangs from the pelmet below.