[1] The construction of the temple started in the 14th century, when King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father in the place.

After 10 years of building time it was left unfinished, later to be continued after the death of the king by his widow.

In 1545, the upper 30 m of the structure collapsed after an earthquake, and shortly thereafter, in 1551, the Emerald Buddha was moved to Luang Prabang.

For the 600th anniversary of the chedi in 1995, a copy of the Emerald Buddha made from black jade was placed in the reconstructed eastern niche.

Also on the temple grounds is the city pillar (Lak Mueang) of Chiang Mai, named Sao Inthakin.