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Wualai Silversmiths Village
Wualai Silversmiths Village is located in Wua Lai Walking Street. The village that produces silverware which has become Chiang Mai's famous and precious handicraft. Creating silverware is both art and craft which require delicacy for the beautiful and unique design that is the characteristic of Wualai silverware.
The origin of the beautiful local silverware from Ban Sri Suphan, Chiang Mai was shown through evidences that it was since King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai and negotiated with Bagan to bring craftsmen to Chiang Mai in order to teach townspeople the skill. This created the local silverware industry which has been carried on through generations especially the silverware making of Ban Sri Suphan's craftsmen specializing in raising and carving silver bowls which promoted the craftsmen to be artisans in Chiang Mai's capital in the past. The skill had been passed on their offsprings who later became craftsmen and they expanded the silverware industry to other villages. Before 1957, most of the villagers in Wualai had done farming and when they were free, they would be silversmiths as succeeded from their ancestors. Family members were main labors and almost every house had a small factory within there called “Tao Sao”. The family members would help each other creating silverware for their daily life's use or for trade. For trade, they would buy silver from the Chinese in Chiang Mai's downtown before forge and raise it into different products. The products are mostly bowl, paddle and tray. Normally, the ones who forge and mold silver would be men such as father, husband or son and, for carving and selling at a market, it would be mother or daughter's duties.
When there was a trade between different groups, knowledges and intellects about silverware became more various. For the material, they used rupee from Myanmar and some other coins from Xishuangbanna because they were easy to find. Wualai silverware was traditionally popular for only some products such as Lanna's traditional bowl, tray, footed tray, receptacle betel, etc. However, because the government later campaigned for officers and people to wear traditional Thai costumes, the silverware was additionally used to make women's accessories. Nowadays, Wualai silverware is not only used to make kitchen utensils, but also for accessories and decorations. For example, some architectures in Chiang Mai have silver decorated on the roof like Wat Sri Suphan which is a symbol of this silverware.
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Attractions&Hotels near Wualai Silversmiths Village
Hotels near Wualai Silversmiths Village
Tha Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.12 km | Map | Direction
Haikin Ryokan Check the Room/Price/Book0.18 km | Map | Direction
Wualai Residence Boutique Guesthouse Check the Room/Price/Book0.18 km | Map | Direction
Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel Check the Room/Price/Book0.33 km | Map | Direction
At home Wualai Check the Room/Price/Book0.33 km | Map | Direction
Teeraya Boutique Dormitory Check the Room/Price/Book0.34 km | Map | Direction
Pool garden villa walk to old town+night market Check the Room/Price/Book0.35 km | Map | Direction
84 Gallery Check the Room/Price/Book0.36 km | Map | Direction
Oxotel Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.37 km | Map | Direction
See Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.39 km | Map | Direction
B2 Thippanate Check the Room/Price/Book0.42 km | Map | Direction
Thakorn Homestay Check the Room/Price/Book0.43 km | Map | Direction
Khaosan in Chiangmai Guesthouse Check the Room/Price/Book0.44 km | Map | Direction
Sri Ngachang Check the Room/Price/Book0.44 km | Map | Direction
Villa Oranje Check the Room/Price/Book0.45 km | Map | Direction
Wooden Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.46 km | Map | Direction
Melon Home by Melon Place Check the Room/Price/Book0.49 km | Map | Direction
Wua Lai Boutique Hotel Chiang Mai Check the Room/Price/Book0.51 km | Map | Direction
The Local House Check the Room/Price/Book0.51 km | Map | Direction
iWualai Hotel Check the Room/Price/Book0.51 km | Map | Direction
Cloud Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.54 km | Map | Direction
Bhoontun Guesthouse Check the Room/Price/Book0.55 km | Map | Direction
Baanlek Home Stay Check the Room/Price/Book0.57 km | Map | Direction
J Yim'S house No.1 Check the Room/Price/Book0.58 km | Map | Direction
Chiang Mai Gate Capsule Hostel Check the Room/Price/Book0.60 km | Map | Direction
Attractions near Wualai Silversmiths Village
Wua Lai Night Market0.06 km | Map | Direction
Wat Srisuphan - Silver Temple0.26 km | Map | Direction
Wat Puak Hong1.10 km | Map | Direction
Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center1.18 km | Map | Direction
Chiang Mai Gate1.20 km | Map | Direction
Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan1.80 km | Map | Direction
Wat Inthakhin (Sadue Muang)1.86 km | Map | Direction
Wat Phan Tao1.97 km | Map | Direction
Wat Phra Singh Wora Maha Wihan - Chiang Mai2.05 km | Map | Direction
Kum Chao Burirat Lanna Architecture Center2.07 km | Map | Direction
Treasury Pavilion2.17 km | Map | Direction
Wat Prasat2.26 km | Map | Direction
Tha Pae Walking Street2.32 km | Map | Direction
Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center2.38 km | Map | Direction
Three Kings Monument2.40 km | Map | Direction
Wat Umong Mahathera Chan2.44 km | Map | Direction
Chiang Mai Wall2.51 km | Map | Direction
Tha Phae Gate2.51 km | Map | Direction
Art In Paradise , Chiang Mai2.78 km | Map | Direction
Art In Paradise , Chiang Mai2.78 km | Map | Direction
Wat Chang Khong2.86 km | Map | Direction
Wat Ou Sai Kham2.91 km | Map | Direction
Wat Chiang Man3.12 km | Map | Direction
Wat Buppharam3.18 km | Map | Direction
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar3.22 km | Map | Direction
*note the distance is just a straight line not an accurate transition on the road
