Best Temples in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a city located in the mountainous area of northern Thailand that preserves the vestiges of the Lanna Kingdom, of which it was the capital until 1558. Therefore, one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai is to visit its incredible Buddhist temples.

The city has about 300 temples, so it can be difficult to visit them all in short stays, so here are some of the most interesting ones. The list includes some lesser known temples that will amaze you with their great beauty.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, built in the early 19th century, is considered one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. It is on Doi Suthep hill, about 11 kilometers from Old City. The beauty of the buildings, coupled with the panoramic view from the hill, make it one of the must-see temples of the city.

To get to this temple, you must take the famous Monks' Route, which they use to go from one temple to another. This trail is part of the best tours of Chiang Mai. When you reach the temple, you must climb about 300 steps, or take a cable car. At the top you will find the large golden stupa, which is said to house a fragment of Buddha's bone.

There are several monasteries surrounding the stupa, where monks make their offerings. You will also see murals on the life and travels of the Buddha, golden Buddha sculptures and a copy of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most revered Buddhas in Thailand. If you wish, you can ring the prayer bells, which are believed to bring good luck.

More information

• Location: Huai Kaeo Road Chang Phueak Mueang Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 50300.
• Hours: daily from 6 am to 8 pm.
• Entrance fee: about 2 € per person.
• How to get there: you can take the bus near the Chiang Mai Zoo, which costs about €1 per person, or go by cab, which costs €5 per person.

The 14th century Wat Phra Singh temple is one of the most revered temples in Chiang Mai, especially for the famous statue of Phra Buddha Sihing Buddha or Lion Buddha in the Wihan Lai Kham chapel. It is located in the western part of the Old City.

The architectural style of the temple is Lanna, with a curved roof of 3 levels laboriously carved with mythical characters. But what is most striking is the large golden stupa, which is one of the largest in Chiang Mai. It is believed to contain the ashes of King Phayu, the founder of the temple. You also can't miss the reclining Buddha, located in a hall behind the garden

It is common to find this temple full of monks or avid students, as it is a place where ceremonies are always held or classes are taught. If you visit the city of Chiang Mai between April 13 and 15, you cannot miss the Songkran festival, when the Lion Buddha is worshipped in the streets of the city.

More information about Songkran

• Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
• Entrance fee: free for the whole complex and about 2 € per person for the entrance to the main temple.

Wat Umong, from the 13th century, is a temple different from the rest, simpler and smaller, which stands out for its system of tunnels and caves. It is located in a wooded area, at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, where there is also a pond and gardens, so visiting it is an ideal plan to enjoy nature.

In addition to the tunnels, in Wat Umong you can admire a stupa with a round base and a replica of the Ashoka Pillar of Vaishali. Something striking are the Buddha heads scattered around the grounds and the posters with Buddhist proverbs hanging from the trees.

This temple is usually included in the Monks' Route, which takes you to Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat. The visit to these three temples is included in the best tours of the city, which are highly recommended if you are interested in learning about the history and construction of the temples, and about Buddhism in general.

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• Location: 135, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
• Hours: daily from 5 am to 8 pm.
• Entrance fee: free of charge.
• How to get there: to take the trail you must go to Chiang Mai University or the Chiang Mai Zoo.

Wat Chedi Luang is a temple full of history that used to be the most impressive temple in Chiang Mai, and still is, even though part of the roof of the main chedi was destroyed. It used to be about 80 meters high and today it is about half that height. It is located in the center of the city, next to Intakin, the city's pillar.

Wat Chedi Luang is highly revered because it once housed the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand's most sacred relics. It has a square base 60 meters in diameter with four stairways, one on each side, guarded by the mythical serpent Nagas and elephant sculptures.

Next to this temple is Sao Inthakin, where the Pillar of the city is located. This would have been given by God Indra as protection and for the prosperity of Chiang Mai. The pillar that can be seen today would be a replica, and is the object of veneration, especially in the festival that takes place every year in May.

More information

• Location: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai 50200.
• Hours: daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Entrance fee: about €1 per person.

Although not located in Chiang Mai, Wat Rong Khun is one of the most beautiful temples you can see near the city. It is completely white in color and stands out for its combination of traditional and contemporary elements. It has details in glass and mirrors, which makes it shine even more. It is a great option to include in 3-day itineraries in Chiang Mai.

Wat Rong Khun was designed by the famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and, although it has not yet been completed, it is a work of art full of symbolism. One of the most eloquent parts is the tide of hands symbolizing worldly temptations and the Bridge of Reincarnation representing the path of overcoming.

The main building of Wat Rong Khun is surrounded by a lake in which it is reflected and provides you with the perfect photo. Inside you can see elements of pop culture such as superheroes, as well as Buddhist symbolism, something that caused rejection at first, but today has been accepted...

The White Temple is located about 180 km from Chiang Mai and there are buses that take you in about 3-4 hours. You can also take a guided tour from Chiang Mai, if you want to get to know this temple in depth, without worrying about transportation. During your visit to this city, you can take the opportunity to visit the Blue Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand.

More information about Chiang Mai

• Location: Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and weekends from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
• Entrance fee: about 3 € per person.

Wat Pha Lat is a very interesting temple to visit, as it is located in a natural environment surrounded by jungles and waterfalls. It is a place where they try not to intervene in nature, so you will see how the temples, altars, stupas and stairs are covered with green.

Wat Pha Lat temple was built in 1935 and used to be a place of accommodation for those who went to the Doi Suthep temple. Today it is inhabited by monks who retreat to meditate and does not usually receive as many visitors as other temples.

In the grounds you will find small temples and huts guarded by two mythological sphinxes consecrated to Buddha, the Nora Nair, which are said to protect the temple from evil spirits. The marble stairs leading up to the temple are also very beautiful, with the motif of the Naga snakes.

To get there, you must take a path up Doi Suthep hill that leads you to the temple of the same name. You can take a hike of about 7 km round trip to see both temples, but be aware that there are steep sections. There are also guided tours that include hiking and biking that may interest you if you are looking for a more adventurous option in the mountains.

More information

• Location: บ้านห้วยผาลาด 101, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Hours: daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.
• How to get there: to take the trail you must go to Chiang Mai University.

Chiang Man, dating from the 13th century, is the oldest temple in the city, which was built by King Mengrai, the founder of the city. It is noted for containing one of the oldest Buddha images in its main viharn. It is located northeast of the walled part of the city, near the Wat Lam Chang temple.

The smallest viharn in Chiang Man also contains two ancient Buddha images: the Marble Buddha and the Crystal Buddha, highly revered in Chiang Mai. Something very nice to visit in this temple are the gardens, which receive a lot of care from the monks.

It also highlights the stupa with golden roof of the fifteenth century, which is surrounded by sculptures of elephants that seem to hold the entire structure. A curiosity is that in the library is a stone with the record of the exact date of the founding of the city, which was April 12, 1296 at 4 am.

More information about the library

• Location: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200.
• Hours: daily from 5 am to 9 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Sri Suphan, built in 1502, is also known as the Silver Temple, because of its elaborate roof made by silver artisans. The old building was replaced due to deterioration, but the roof and ornamentation is more recent, having been completed in 2016. It is located not far from the southern gate of the Walled City.

Actually, Wat Sri Suphan is not covered with silver, because this material has been reserved for Buddha images and other significant ones. For the most part, it is covered with aluminum and nickel, which does not diminish its spectacular nature. In the ornamentation you will see represented the history of the temple, dharma riddles and stories of Buddhism, among others.

If your visit just happens to be on a Saturday, you can go to the night market that takes place in the surroundings, where these crafts are sold. Also, as the temple is located near the night markets, you can take advantage of a gastronomic tour with local guides. Please note that women are not allowed inside the temple, but they can enter the temple grounds.

More information about the temple

• Location: 00 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai.
• Hours: Sundays to Fridays from 7 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 7 am to 11 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

One of the temples that most attracts the attention of visitors is Wat Rajamontean, due to the huge Buddha statue guarding the entrance. The Buddha can be seen from a distance, with its golden details and the posture of the witnessing earth.

The Wat Rajamontean temple is small but very beautiful, with its white walls and the maroon and gold colors of the facade and roof. These colors also dominate the interior of the temple, as well as the stairs and the mythical Nagas snakes that guard them.

Wat Rajamontean is opposite Wat Lok Molee temple, across the river, on the north side of the moat surrounding the Old City, so you can take advantage of your visit to this part of the city to meet them both. Wat Lok Molee is said to house the ashes of several kings of the Mengrai dynasty, the founders of the city.

More information about Wat Lok Molee

• Location: 149 Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Hours: daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

Wat Phan Ta o is located next to Wat Chedi Luang temple, in the walled center of Chiang Mai. It is not one of the best known, but if you visit it, you can also visit this temple. Wat Phan Tao is notable for being made entirely of darkened teak panels and its fine carvings.

It was built as a throne room in 1846 for King Chao Mahawong, and later became a Buddhist temple. That is why you can see at the entrance of the temple the motif of the dog, the animal of the year of the monarch's birth, and the peacock protected by two snakes, symbol of the Lanna monarchy.

Wat Phan Tao is also known as the temple of lanterns, as their creation is one of the favorite pastimes of the monks. These can be seen at the Loi Kratong festival, the lantern festival held in late autumn throughout the country, and on New Year's Eve, when they are unfurled to welcome the new year.

More information about the festival

• Location: ตําบล พระสิงห์, 105 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200.
• Hours: daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.