Wat Sri Suphan

Along Wua Lai Road in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a temple that is hard to miss called Wat Sri Suphan. Every inch of the temple is adorned with sparkling silver, nickel, and aluminium.

Founded in the early 16th century, Wat Sri Suphan is one of Chiang Mai's oldest temples. Though most of the original temple structure has been lost over time, the temple has been revived in the 21st century in a stunning display of artistry and craftsmanship.

The restoration of the temple began in 2004 and was finished in 2016. The metalworkers of the Wua Lai neighborhood, a district that has been renowned for its metalwork for over two centuries, collaborated on the restoration. Scenes from the life of Buddha, historic scenes depicting the temple's history, and scenes from mythology are all depicted in intricate, three-dimensional detail. While aluminium comprises the majority of the cladding, silver is used to highlight the sacred elements, including the Buddha statues.

Women are barred from the temple's ordination hall. The remainder of the temple grounds are open to all. Within the temple compound is a learning center and a workshop for silverware. Another information center on the grounds narrates the story of the artisans who contributed their skills to this extraordinary project.