Three Kings Monument

📍 Location of Three Kings Monument 🚘 Directions to Three Kings Monument

About Three Kings Monument

The Three Kings Monument, located in the heart of Chiang Mai, is a significant symbol of the city. It stands in the area where palaces once graced the landscape, a testament to the city's rich history. The monument commemorates the three kings who played a crucial role in establishing the old city. It's a fascinating piece of history that's worth understanding before visiting. The monument itself only takes a few minutes to appreciate, but there are several interesting places to visit in the vicinity. One such place is the City Arts and Cultural Centre, situated immediately behind the monument, making it a good activity for a rainy day.

The monument is particularly striking when viewed at night during the walking street bazaar. Long ribbons hang from the ceiling, creating a mesmerizing sight. However, visitors are advised to bring insect repellent due to the still water in the area. The monument is also a popular spot for those interested in temple hopping, offering a good opportunity to snap a few photos before moving onto the next site.

The Three Kings Monument is not just a landmark, but also a meeting point. Across the street, there's a museum for those interested in Thai culture, religion, and history. A great coffee shop with air conditioning and comfy chairs is also located across the street, perfect for a break. Next to it is a post office for those who wish to mail postcards. The area is filled with great places to eat and shops to visit. The best day to visit might be on a Sunday, on the way to the Sunday market on Ratchadamnoen road.

The statue is unique and worth a visit if you're passing by. However, if you're planning to take pictures, it's best to avoid the middle of the day. The morning or late afternoon light is more conducive to capturing the features of the statue, rather than just silhouettes.

While the monument may seem like just a city square with the compulsory monuments at first glance, there's much more to it. The Three Kings Monument celebrates the establishment of the 'new' Chiang Mai way back in 1296 AD. The three kings formed an alliance that secured the Lanna Kingdom's rise to one of the preeminent cultural influences over most of northern Thailand and parts of Laos and Myanmar.

Behind the Three Kings Monument stands the Chiang Mai cultural centre. The building was once the royal residence of the Chiang Mai royal family. It then became the administrative centre of the city, or City Hall before being restored to accommodate the amazing collection of displays covering the city's history and culture from ancient times to the present.

Opposite the Three Kings on the other side of Ratchadamnoen Road is the Lanna Folklife Museum. This museum presents an amazing collection of all things related to Lanna culture. In the grounds of the Lanna Folklife Museum is one of the best café cum coffee shops around. Given the great park-like surroundings, this is a place you should relax in and maybe have lunch during your investigation and enlightenment of the heritage of the Lanna people and their culture.

Once rejuvenated, you can stroll back across the road to the beautiful Inthakhin Saduemuang Temple. This is a must-see both during the day and at night when it sparkles like a fairy palace. The museum here is outstanding and should not be missed at any cost. The typical class and attention to detail of the Thai people is so well presented in these three great museums and cultural centres that you can easily spend a full day just covering this three and that's not including the Historical Centre. This area is highly recommended to everyone, especially to people with an interest in culture, religion, and society in this very special city.