The old pagoda of the temple, with a newly roofed old chapel to the left.
Wat Chedi Luang, next to the National Museum, was once Chiang Saen's main temple. There's no exact date for the temple's founding, but most agree it must have been between the twelfth and fourteenth century.
The large chedi (pagoda) which gives the temple its name is 18 meters (60 feet) tall. The octagonal shape is considered typical of the Chiang Saen style. Next to the chedi is the ruins of a large wiharn (prayer hall). In recent years a new roof has been built over the chapel and a new Buddha image installed, although the sides of the hall are still open.