Chiang Mai seems to have a temple or wat around every corner, probably because there are over 300 there. No other province in Thailand has as many as Chiang Mai, so how do you choose which ones to visit?
How about we help you!
We love visiting Temples and often take our time wandering around taking a plethora of photographs from every angle. The myths which form their historical importance and significance are fascinating plus, we just love looking at Buddha statues which come in a huge range of sizes, colours and materials… mainly gold!
When we were in Chiang Mai, we naturally did the Old City Temple Tour however we also ventured just a little further… but which ones do we recommend?
How about we help you!
We love visiting Temples and often take our time wandering around taking a plethora of photographs from every angle. The myths which form their historical importance and significance are fascinating plus, we just love looking at Buddha statues which come in a huge range of sizes, colours and materials… mainly gold!
When we were in Chiang Mai, we naturally did the Old City Temple Tour however we also ventured just a little further… but which ones do we recommend?
Temple etiquette
First, I must start with Temple etiquette as this is extremely important.
When visiting Temples, you are reminded to be respectful of the Monks’ religion, beliefs and way of life. As tourists, we should remember that we are visitors and must dress and act in a way that does not offend. Sadly, most of my time visiting Temples meant my head was filled with thoughts of annoyance looking at others who walked around in tiny shorts, small vests or see-through tops with plenty of flesh on display. A Temple is not a place to show off your body, it is a place of worship and if you visit, please treat it with respect. If you are hot and wear less clothes on holiday, when visiting Temples please just carry a sarong with you so you can cover up for those small periods of time.
First, I must start with Temple etiquette as this is extremely important.
When visiting Temples, you are reminded to be respectful of the Monks’ religion, beliefs and way of life. As tourists, we should remember that we are visitors and must dress and act in a way that does not offend. Sadly, most of my time visiting Temples meant my head was filled with thoughts of annoyance looking at others who walked around in tiny shorts, small vests or see-through tops with plenty of flesh on display. A Temple is not a place to show off your body, it is a place of worship and if you visit, please treat it with respect. If you are hot and wear less clothes on holiday, when visiting Temples please just carry a sarong with you so you can cover up for those small periods of time.
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All Temples names in Thailand begin with “Wat” which is a temple complex that will include a building where prayers take place and Buddha statues are displayed. Many temples contain a chedi which are sometimes called a stupa or pagoda. This is a structure which was originally used to contain relics of Lord Buddha, but later on they were also used to enshrine remains of Kings or very important monks. The majority of temples in Chiang Mai are Lanna style which was the Kingdom of North Thailand from 13th – 18th centuries.
Naga serpents, which are large mythological snakes, are often found protecting the entrance of Buddhist Temples and usually contain beautiful mosaics and stones.
Some people say once you have seen one Temple you have seen them all, but if you delve further into when they were built and why, there are always some differences. From what (or should that be wat) we saw, they all have a large amount of historical importance in some way. You don’t have to visit all eight of the temples we are recommending here, but at least this guide will help you choose.
If you want to only do the Old City Temple Tour, most travel books have a section dedicated to this walk so you can do it yourself at your leisure, alternatively you can book one of the many tours that are advertised.
These temples are listed in the order we saw them and not our order of preference.
Naga serpents, which are large mythological snakes, are often found protecting the entrance of Buddhist Temples and usually contain beautiful mosaics and stones.
Some people say once you have seen one Temple you have seen them all, but if you delve further into when they were built and why, there are always some differences. From what (or should that be wat) we saw, they all have a large amount of historical importance in some way. You don’t have to visit all eight of the temples we are recommending here, but at least this guide will help you choose.
If you want to only do the Old City Temple Tour, most travel books have a section dedicated to this walk so you can do it yourself at your leisure, alternatively you can book one of the many tours that are advertised.
These temples are listed in the order we saw them and not our order of preference.
1. Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu who had the chedi built to house the ashes of his father. It is the main Temple in Chiang Mai Old City and a point of reference for most people, I personally think this is one of the top three people should visit as it’s rather impressive. Pilgrims come here to view the famous Phra Buddha Singh statue which roughly means “Lion Buddha” and is housed in a small chapel south of the chedi. During Songkran, which was when we visited, this statue is carried through the streets as part of the procession as it is considered to be the holiest in Chiang Mai. The Lion Buddha statue came from the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India where Buddha gained enlightenment.
This temple is impressive at night as well as during the day so if you can, visit twice (it’s close to the Sunday Market so you could stop here on the way). Gold and red dragons adorn the steps that lead you to the main room which is filled with gold Buddhas, life-like wax monk statues and you can be blessed by a monk for a few baht.
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 Offerings in Wat Phra Singh |  The "Lion Buddha" is part of the Songkran procession |
You cannot help but be impressed by the outside, it is visually stunning. Around the main chedi are four gold elephants and various gold stupas which gleam in the summer sun.
Around the grounds, there is more to look at such as gold statues of monks, thoughtful Buddhist quotes are dotted around, bells, and you will also find a reclining Buddha although not on the scale of Wat Pho in Bangkok.
If you are visiting the Old Town, take some time to visit this Wat but wear your sunglasses, the gold may blind you!
If you are visiting the Old Town, take some time to visit this Wat but wear your sunglasses, the gold may blind you!
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Entrance: 20 baht (until 5pm) 5pm – 8pm - FREE
Opening hours: 6.00am – 8.00pm
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road
Opening hours: 6.00am – 8.00pm
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road
2. Wat Tung Yu
A short distance from Wat Phra Singh, I have to be honest and say this was the most controversial and unexpected Temple I have visited. Ever. And I have visited countless numbers of Temples in my time!! At the entrance to this Temple you are greeted by beautiful gold and green dragons, however the paintings on the inside leave you in complete confusion for a Buddhist Temple.
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As you walk through the door, you are faced with a display of multi-coloured buddhas, however, when you turn to walk out, the wall and ceilings are filled with images of torture and death in quite graphic detail. Shocked was an understatement! I felt rather odd after looking at them, especially as I usually feel peace and humility when I leave a Buddhist Temple. I haven’t been able to find any information regarding why this temple depicts such scenes of horror, but because it is just so different to any other temple I have seen, maybe you could consider checking it out as well.
Look closely at the photo and you will see the horrors despicted!
Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find out!
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road
Opening hours: Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find out!
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road
3. Wat Phan Tao
This old teak wooden temple is visually different from others and often overlooked for its more popular neighbour, Wat Chedi Luang. Construction began in the 1300’s and Wat Phan Tao means “Temple of a Thousand Kilns”. It isn’t very large or as impressive as others, however we had the pleasure of watching Monks here on a pilgrimage. As they walked along a bamboo bridge, they rang the bells and posed for photographs of each other using their mobile phones.
The main prayer hall is made from dark teak wood and was built when the teak trade was at its peak, it’s therefore believed that the wood was an offering to Buddha. We watched as the visiting Monks knelt and bowed to show their respect to Buddha, then they all lined up for a photograph … I wish I knew why this particular temple was one they were visiting, but I didn’t ask.
Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Location: Phra Pokklao Road
Opening hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Location: Phra Pokklao Road
4. Wat Inthakhin Saduemuang
Another visually different Temple, this time made of black teak wood with gold gilt edging. Built in 1296, this temple isn’t very popular with tourists which is always nice. The entrance is made up of white naga serpents and inside the Temple, the Buddhas were pristine clean white and appeared to almost be glowing.
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Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: “During daylight hours”
Location: Soi Inthakin
Opening hours: “During daylight hours”
Location: Soi Inthakin
5. Wat Chiang Man
If you want to visit the oldest Temple in the City, then come to Wat Chiang Man. Built around 1296 at the time the City was founded by King Mengrai, it was once the king’s residence and its name means Temple of the Fortified City. Two very important Buddha images are housed here, the crystal Phra Satang Man Buddha has been here for 1,800 years and the Marble Phra Sila Buddha for 2,500 years.
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At the rear of the temple the gold Chedi is surrounded by 15 stone elephants which protrude out of the buildings although, alas, the weather has taken its toll and they aren’t as white as they once were. It’s a quiet temple to stroll around and the grounds are pretty, some of the hedges are carved in elephant shapes.
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Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.00
Location: The corner of Phra Poklao Road soi 13 and Ratchaphakhinai Road (North East corner of the old town)
Opening hours: 08.00 – 17.00
Location: The corner of Phra Poklao Road soi 13 and Ratchaphakhinai Road (North East corner of the old town)
6. Wat Jed Yod
Wat Jed Yod means “Seven Peaks” and refers to the seven spires on the top of the structure. Apparently this temple is a copy of the Mahabodhi Temple in India and was built around 1453. The seven spires represent the seven weeks Lord Buddha spent at Bodhgaya (India) when in search of enlightenment. Unfortunately, we didn’t time our visit to this temple right and arrived here just as it was closing, we therefore never had a chance to go inside but you get the feeling that not many tourists come here. The sun was low in the sky so we enjoyed wandering around the peaceful grounds, however we did see a few dogs in one particular section who appeared to be rather defensive of their home.
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Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: 6.00am – 6.00pm
Location: The Super Highway, northwest of the Old City
Opening hours: 6.00am – 6.00pm
Location: The Super Highway, northwest of the Old City
7. Wat Suan Dok
Wat Suan Dok isn’t very popular with tourists, maybe because it’s not in the centre of the Old City, however it has many reasons to visit, one of them being a lovely sunset. If you time your visit right, you can wander around the grounds whilst the sun is still in the sky, hang around for sunset, have a chat with some of the monks and come out when it’s dark for some night time viewing.
Built around 1370 by King Kue Na, Wat Suan Dok houses several structures of historical significance. The gold Chedi that looms 48 metres skywards enshrines one half of a sacred Buddha relic (the other is at Doi Suthep). This Temple features heavily in the legend which founded Doi Suthep but has far less visitors and isn’t considered to be as important. Here is the story; a wandering monk carrying a piece of Buddha’s shoulder bone arrived here and the relic split into two. A chedi was built here to house it and It was from this temple that the King then placed the other half on a sacred white elephant. The elephant walked to Doi Suthep mountain and died, the chedi at Wat Pra Doi Suthep was then built to house the other half of the Buddha’s relic.
As you enter the temple grounds, you are greeted by white washed pagodas which are mausoleums holding the ashes of past rulers and important nobles. Inside the temple there are plenty of gold Buddha’s to satisfy any budding jackal.
As you enter the temple grounds, you are greeted by white washed pagodas which are mausoleums holding the ashes of past rulers and important nobles. Inside the temple there are plenty of gold Buddha’s to satisfy any budding jackal.
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If you are interested in learning more about the life of a Buddhist Monk, then this is the temple to visit! Between 5pm – 7pm Monday to Friday, anyone can visit and participate in “Monk Chat” and there is also an option for a one or two day meditation retreat thaimonkchat@yahoo.com .
Monk Chats are a hugely important part of a monk’s social duties and they value their time with us; it helps their spoken English and they learn more about a life they do not lead. By chatting with the monks, you are sharing valuable information and, as sharing is a value taught in Buddhism, this is an important part of their learning. If you want to know more, read our blog post “It’s a Monk’s Life”.
Monk Chats are a hugely important part of a monk’s social duties and they value their time with us; it helps their spoken English and they learn more about a life they do not lead. By chatting with the monks, you are sharing valuable information and, as sharing is a value taught in Buddhism, this is an important part of their learning. If you want to know more, read our blog post “It’s a Monk’s Life”.
Entrance: FREE
Opening hours: 6.00am – 7.00pm
Location: Suthep Road
Opening hours: 6.00am – 7.00pm
Location: Suthep Road
8. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep Temple is 15km out of Chiang Mai and is super easy to find if you want to travel by scooter which cost 250 baht for 24 hours. The winding mountain road is a lovely smooth ride and, on a hot, humid April day, the cool breeze on our faces was a welcome relief. If you don’t want to take a scooter, from Chiang Mai centre you can grab a red taxi (songthaew) and, providing it is full with 10 people per taxi, you can expect to pay around 100 baht per person for the return trip (if you don’t want to wait for the taxi to be full, you can haggle and pay a bit more).
Doi Suthep temple is considered to be the most sacred, most important but is also the most visited of all Temples so beware of the crowds! The first stupa is said to have been built in 1383 and, over time, the temple has expanded to be the extravagant shrine that it is today. As one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Thailand, it is a major pilgrimage destination, especially during Buddhist holidays on 13 February and 11 May.
The founding of this Temple is shrouded in Thai myths and magic and is taught to all school children in Chiang Mai. A wandering Monk found the shoulder bone of Buddha and one half is housed at Wat Suan Dock (where we had the monk chat), the other half was placed by the King onto the back of a sacred white elephant who wandered the jungle until it died at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. It was decided that Doi Suthep would be the place the Buddha’s relic would be housed and it lays within the gold Chedi at this temple.
After we parked our scooter on the road leading up to the Temple, there were a few stalls selling souvenirs and snacks. Despite it being on my bucket list, we resisted the temptation to buy a box of deep fried insects to snack on and opted instead for a deep fried banana covered in chocolate. Much tastier I’m sure.
After we parked our scooter on the road leading up to the Temple, there were a few stalls selling souvenirs and snacks. Despite it being on my bucket list, we resisted the temptation to buy a box of deep fried insects to snack on and opted instead for a deep fried banana covered in chocolate. Much tastier I’m sure.
At the entrance we saw children from a local hill tribe dressed in traditional attire as they live in the surrounding mountains. Rather naively of me, I thought how lovely they looked and took a couple of candid photographs …it was when I saw them hold out their hands asking tourists for money after they were photographed that I realised this was their purpose for being here. Be warned, I have since read that they have been known to steal from unsuspecting tourists if you have your photo taken with them and I did see their plain clothed parents hiding behind the wall when I investigated further.
At the bottom of the steps, you can wander relatively peacefully around the grounds to view some of the statues, maybe even beat the one of the world’s largest gongs (give it a try, it is allowed but please remember that ringing the bells in the temple is not permitted).
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As you are standing at the entrance to the Temple, 306 steps stare back at you and, running up its entire length are two elaborately carved Naga serpent mosaics. If you don’t fancy the walk up, you can take the cable car and pay 50 baht which includes the entrance fee.
When you reach the top of the steps, the beauty just keeps growing. Painted Murals, the architecture, gold statues, gold shrines– goodness me, just so much gold. There is a stunning look out point and, on a clear day, the view is beautiful however it was humid when we visited and all we could see was haze. There is a large wooden piece at the top which is carved so intricately, it is stunning. A shrine to the white elephant and the story of how the temple was founded is here for all to see.
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Statue of the Sacred White elephant
We reached the main part of the temple known as the Chedi which houses the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, wow is all I can say. In the centre there is a golden spire 24 metres tall and at the four corners are four gold umbrellas which all sparkle in the bright sun. Miniature chapels display richly decorated Buddha images and countless gold Buddha’s adorn every inch of the walls. Pilgrims show their respect in a number of ways; monetary donations; circling the pagoda 3 times reading out phrases whilst carrying lotus flowers; lighting candles/incense and praying 3 times, kneeling on the floor and bowing 3 times to one of the plethora of Buddha statues.
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A stunning replica of Bangkok’s Emerald Buddha is also on display which sparkles when the sun catches it. To test your commitment to Buddha, you are required to take off your shoes before entering the main golden square … but the tiles are hotter than the surface of the sun and we ended up walking around hunting for shady areas to stand on or hopping from one foot to another making noises like a chimpanzee!
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We easily spent about two hours here but be warned, it is jam-packed with tourists, many of whom are very disrespectful and ignore the “please be quiet” signs in favour of yelling to one another and ringing bells when signs tell you not to do so. Sadly, that is the price of tourism today, however this is the most sacred temple and you shouldn’t let others stop you from enjoying the experience for yourself.
Entrance: 30 baht
Opening hours: 6.00am – 6.00pm
Location: Wat Phra That Dli Suthep Road Tambon Su Thep
Hiring a scooter
If you want to explore more of Chiang Mai’s mountainous region and temples, the cheapest and most convenient way is to hire a scooter so, for 250 baht per day that is what we did! I had always said I would never ride a scooter in Thailand after hearing all the horror stories of accidents and dodgy hire companies, however we put our faith in the ladies at our Homestay who arranged the scooter for us and, thankfully, everything turned out OK.
You do not need an International Driving Licence in Thailand provided your licence displays a photograph and is in English. We are from the UK so our licence complies but if you are unsure, check this website for regulations.
Entrance: 30 baht
Opening hours: 6.00am – 6.00pm
Location: Wat Phra That Dli Suthep Road Tambon Su Thep
Hiring a scooter
If you want to explore more of Chiang Mai’s mountainous region and temples, the cheapest and most convenient way is to hire a scooter so, for 250 baht per day that is what we did! I had always said I would never ride a scooter in Thailand after hearing all the horror stories of accidents and dodgy hire companies, however we put our faith in the ladies at our Homestay who arranged the scooter for us and, thankfully, everything turned out OK.
You do not need an International Driving Licence in Thailand provided your licence displays a photograph and is in English. We are from the UK so our licence complies but if you are unsure, check this website for regulations.
We were warned by the ladies at our Homestay that the police sometimes try to bribe you. Police tell you your licence is invalid and ask for an on-the spot fine, they sometimes try to take your licence but we were warned never to hand it over and if we did get a fine, go to the police station and pay it. We had read the laws before we hired a scooter so knew our rights and, when we were stopped, we were fully prepared. As mentioned, we were here during Songkran so it was the busiest time of year, however, it turned out the police just wanted to check that our licence was a valid and, more importantly the second time we were stopped, it was to ask if we had been drinking! (obviously we hadn’t, we value our lives).
It’s always best to give your scooter a once-over before setting off; check the tyres, brakes and ensure that any scratches/dents are photographed and pointed out to ensure you aren’t later blamed for them.
Don’t forget to wear a helmet, you would be a fool if you don’t!
Have you visited the Temples of Chiang Mai? Which was your favourite? Did you miss any out and regret it? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
It’s always best to give your scooter a once-over before setting off; check the tyres, brakes and ensure that any scratches/dents are photographed and pointed out to ensure you aren’t later blamed for them.
Don’t forget to wear a helmet, you would be a fool if you don’t!
Have you visited the Temples of Chiang Mai? Which was your favourite? Did you miss any out and regret it? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
How to get to Chiang Mai
Flying: All major airlines fly to Bangkok, then take a short internal flight, Air Asia are the cheapest and most popular.
Sleeper Train from Bangkok: If you are picturing a rickety old train with awful sleeping conditions next to chickens and old men, think again! They are modern, clean and super efficient. We checked the schedules online and booked in advance via the 12GoAsia website. The office is located across the road from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train station; buying and picking up the tickets couldn’t have been easier and I would thoroughly recommend them!
Where to stay
We stayed outside of the old town, about a 20 minute walk/10 minute bike ride away at Banilah Boutique Guest House (email: info@banilah.com). We would thoroughly recommend them, they are friendly, efficient and provide very thorough information and maps for the area.
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The extremely friendly and efficient ladies at Banilah
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Travelling around north Thailand? Check out these related posts.
My Chiang Mai
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Temple-Tastic Chiang Rai
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It's A Monk's Life (Interview with Buddhist Monks)
My Chiang Mai
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Why You Should Visit Chiang Rai
Temple-Tastic Chiang Rai
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