Best Temples in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a mountainous city in northern Thailand that preserves the remnants 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 a short stay, 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 located on Doi Suthep Hill, about 11 kilometres from Old City. The beauty of the buildings, together with the panoramic view from the hill, make it one of the must-see temples in 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 one of the best tours in Chiang Mai. When you reach the temple, you have to climb about 300 steps, or take a cable car. At the top you will find the great 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 can 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.

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• Location: Huai Kaeo Road Chang Phueak Mueang Chiang Mai Chiang Mai 50300.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 8pm.
• Entry fee: around €2 per person.
• How to get there: you can take the bus near the Chiang Mai Zoo, which costs around €1 per person, or take a taxi, 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 the 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 3-tiered roof elaborately carved with mythical characters. But the most striking feature 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 temple's founder. Also not to be missed is 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 taking place or classes are being held. If you visit Chiang Mai between 13 and 15 April, don't miss the Songkran festival, when the Lion Buddha is worshipped in the streets of the city.

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• Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: daily from 9am to 6pm.
• Entry fee: Free for the whole complex and about €2 per person for 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, at Wat Umong you can admire a stupa with a round base and a replica of Vaishali's Ashoka Pillar. The Buddha heads scattered around the grounds and the posters with Buddhist proverbs hanging from the trees are striking.

This temple is often included in the Monks' Route, which takes you to Doi Suthep Temple and Wat Pha Lat. Visits to these three temples are 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 Chiang Mai Zoo.

Wat Chedi Luang is a temple steeped in 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 metres high and today it is about half that height. It is located in the centre 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 metres in diameter with four stairways, one on each side, guarded by the mythical snake Nagas and elephant sculptures.

Next to this temple is Sao Inthakin, where the city's Pillar is located. This would have been given by the 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 during the festival that takes place every year in May.

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• Location: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai 50200.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 6pm.
• 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 entirely white in colour and is notable for its combination of traditional and contemporary elements. It has glass and mirror details, 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 symbolising 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 op. Inside you can see elements of pop culture such as superheroes, as well as Buddhist symbolism, something that was rejected at first, but has now been accepted...

The White Temple is located about 180 km from Chiang Mai and buses will take you there in about 3-4 hours. You can also take a guided tour from Chiang Mai if you want to see the temple in depth without worrying about transport. 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 the Blue Temple

• Location: Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, and weekends from 8am to 5.30pm.
• Entrance fee: about €3 per person.

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

Wat Pha Lat temple was built in 1935 and used to be a place of accommodation for those on their way to Doi Suthep temple. Today it is inhabited by monks who retreat to meditate and does not tend to 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 a motif of Naga snakes.

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

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• Location: บ้านห้วยผาลาด 101, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: daily from 6am to 6pm.
• Entrance 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.

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

Another highlight is the 15th century golden-roofed stupa, which is surrounded by elephant sculptures that seem to support the entire structure. A curiosity is that in the library there is a stone with a record of the exact date of the founding of the city, which was 12 April 1296 at 4am.

Further information

• Location: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200.
• Opening hours: daily from 5am to 9pm.
• 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 craftsmen. 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. It is mostly covered with aluminium and nickel, which does not diminish its spectacular appearance. The ornamentation depicts the history of the temple, dharma riddles and Buddhist stories, among other things.

If your visit happens to be on a Saturday, you can go to the night market that takes place nearby, where these handicrafts are sold. Also, as the temple is close to the night markets, you can take advantage of the opportunity to go on a food tour with local guides. Please note that women are not allowed inside the temple, but they are allowed inside the temple grounds.

More information about the temple

• Location: 00 Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai.
• Opening hours: Sundays to Fridays from 7am to 6pm and Saturdays from 7am to 11pm.
• 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 gold detailing 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 colours of the façade and roof. These colours also dominate the interior of the temple, as well as the stairs and the mythical serpent Nagas that guard them.

Wat Rajamontean is opposite Wat Lok Molee 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 see them both. Wat Lok Molee is said to house the ashes of several kings of the Mengrai dynasty, the founders of the city.

Read more about Wat Lok Molee

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

Wat Phan Ta o is located next to Wat Chedi Luang temple, in the walled centre of Chiang Mai. It's not one of the best known, but if you visit it, you can see this temple as well. 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. This is why you can see at the entrance of the temple the dog motif, the animal of the monarch's birth year, and the peacock protected by two snakes, the symbol of the Lanna monarchy.

Wat Phan Tao is also known as the temple of lanterns, as the creation of lanterns is a favourite pastime of the monks. Lanterns 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 in the new year.

Read more about the festival

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