An amazing array of Chiang Mai temples dot the landscape of the historic city in Thailand. It is nearly impossible to be in Old Town Chiang Mai and not have at least one temple in sight.
How do you choose which ones to visit? We can help! From dazzling complexes to hidden gems, we are detailing the Must-See Temples in Chiang Mai.
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Our Best Chiang Mai Temples List
Our rundown of the top temples in Chiang Mai includes 11 must-see locations. At the end of the article, we include a Chiang Mai City Map, which can be useful when creating your own self-guided Chiang Mai temple tour.
We start out with nine temples in the Old City and then travel to the mountains for two additional must-see Thai temples.
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#1 Wat Phra Singh
One of the most beautiful temples in the Old City is Wat Phra Singh. The complex features numerous Lanna-style structures, some of which date to the year 1345 when the temple was founded.
Important structures on the grounds are the exquisitely decorated Luang Assembly Hall, the wooden Ordination Hall (which features 4 eerily life-like monk statues), the 15th century library and a small temple filled by a single, enormous Reclining Buddha.
Wihan Lai Kham
Don’t miss this small building toward the back that houses the Lion Buddha (called Phra Singh). The walls are covered with murals that depict the history of the people of ancient Chiang Mai. The one behind the Lion Buddha is decorated in meticulous lai krahm – gold stenciling.
#2 Wat Chiang Man
The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Man Temple dates to 1296, which is the same year the city was founded.
It is one of the premier temples to visit in Chiang Mai – not only for the two ancient Buddha sculptures it houses, but also for the detailed Elephant Stupa.
Sacred Elephant Encircled Stupa
Once a royal residence, the king lived in the Elephant Stupa while the rest of the temple complex and the city of Chiang Mai were being constructed.
Sculptures of 15 elephants stand on the second level of the massive chedi. It is said that the stupa houses a Sacred Hair Relic from the Buddha.
Buddha Statues and Library
The two revered Buddha statues – which are credited for having special powers – are kept in the small assembly hall.
The Phra Sila Buddha is carved from stone and is thought to bring rain. The Phra Sae Tang Khamani – or Crystal Buddha – offers protection from disasters.
Two other things to see in the Chiang Man complex are the Oldest Buddha Statue in Chiang Mai (located in the Main Wihan) and the Scripture Library that sits on a small pond.
#3 Wat Chedi Luang
There are many reasons to visit Wat Chedi Luang. Built in the 1400s, it at one time featured the tallest building in Chiang Mai (which still partially stands).
Additionally, the complex is the site of the City Pillar and the most popular Monk Chat – plus we believe it is one of the best wats in Chiang Mai!
Chedi Luang Stupa
The central stupa reigned as Chiang Mai’s tallest building, rising to the height of 270 feet when it was completed in the middle of the 15th century.
However, the upper portion of the stupa collapsed during an earthquake in 1545 – and was not reconstructed until the 1990s.
Famous for housing the Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) from 1468 until 1551, a jade replica now resides in the east-facing nook. The original Emerald Buddha can be found in a temple at the Royal Palace in Bangkok.
City Pillar
Most of the cities in Thailand have a City Pillar and they are said to embody the spirit of the area.
The Chiang Mai City Pillar – named Sao Inthakin – was first placed in Wat Sadue Muang (#6 on our list) in 1296 by King Mengrai. It was then moved to Wat Chedi Luang in the year 1800 and is located inside a small shrine.
Monk Chat at Chedi Luang
One of the most interesting things to do in Chiang Mai is to attend Monk Chat, and Wat Chedi is a popular place to do so.
The monks are able to practice English, while tourists can gain insight into Buddhism and life as a monk in Thailand. (More on Monk Chat at the end of the post)
#4 Wat Phan Tao
Situated just steps from Wat Chedi Luang, many visitors bypass Phan Tao. We, however, feel this unique temple shouldn’t be missed. It’s also one of the oldest remaining temples, dating to the 14th century.
Wooden Assembly Hall
The most striking feature of Wat Phan Tao is the wooden Vihara Assembly Hall that sits just steps from the road.
Made of teak wood panels – from a former Thai Royal Palace – the structure has a three-tiered roof gilded with golden Naga snakes. The intricately decorated portico depicts a peacock standing over a dog.
Golden Stupa, Bondi Tree and Wooden Stupa
Sitting behind the assembly hall is a giant golden stupa. The shimmering stupa stands in stark contrast to the simple hall.
Next to the stupa is a raised area, where there is a small pond and Bondi tree. At the back of the complex, you will find an unusual stupa of interwoven wood, decorated with flags.
#5 Pan On Temple
Built in 1501 by King Mueang Kaeo, Pan On has a few unique features that make it one of the best temples to visit in Chiang Mai.
Assembly Hall and Stupa
The assembly hall is notable for its gilded arched windows with red and gold detailing. Next to the vihara is a large golden stupa (built in 2007) with a Buddha inset.
Lining the base of the stupa are numerous bells that visitors can freely ring and at the back is a giant gong.
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market at Pan On
The Pan On Temple sits along Rachadamnoen Road, where the Sunday Night Market takes place. In fact, it flows onto the grounds with several food stalls set up just inside the gates. Dining within the temple grounds was a memorable experience for us.
#6 Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang
The former home of the City Pillar, Inthakhin Sadue Muang is still worth a visit. The temple is located in the heart of Chiang Mai, on the south side of the Three Kings Monument Square.
Wat Inthakhin Vihara
Made of teak and extravagantly gilded, this small temple is captivating. Guarded by two serpents, the assembly house features the Luang Pho Khao Buddha, which dates to 1794. Along the side are a series of laughing Buddha statues.
Behind the wooden temple, there are two old brick chedis that date to the 14th and 15th centuries. A free museum that details the site’s history is also located on the grounds.
#7 Wat Ched Lin
One of the most fascinating – yet seldom visited – temples in Old City Chiang Mai is Wat Ched Lin (also spelled Jetlin or Jet Lin).
In fact, on our first visit to Chiang Mai, we were practically staying across the street and never once wandered onto the grounds. Recently, we discovered what a gem Wat Ched Lin really is!
Guests enter the temple grounds to a long line of gongs and an array of oddities (like a 5-eyed creature, a surrealist Buddha and a skeleton sporting sunglasses).
Historically significant, Wat Ched Lin was once a temple where kings were crowned. However, what drew us in was the picturesque pond.
Pond and Bamboo Boardwalk
Supposedly an old bathing pond for Lanna kings’ pre-coronation ceremony, the enormous square space is now covered in lotus flowers and lily pads. Large carp and baby turtles call the pond their home, too.
Cutting across the center is a woven bamboo boardwalk that leads to the monks living quarters. Visitors are invited to cross the springy bridge where they can chat with the monks or just relax in the stilted huts.
#8 Lok Moli Temple
Located outside the Old City walls on the north side of the town moat, Lok Moli is one of the best temples in Chiang Mai.
The complex dates to the 14th century, when it was established as a Royal Wat, although certain structures (like the dazzling vihara) are much more recent.
Chedi at Lok Moli
The gigantic chedi at Lok Moli was built in 1527. The brick structure is one of the largest chedis in Chiang Mai and contains the ashes of several former Mengrai kings.
Carvings and niches for Buddha sculptures grace all four sides of the chedi. Buddhist can make special offerings to the south-facing Buddha via a special pulley.
Vihara at Wat Lok Moli
Built in 2003, the vihara at Lok Moli is a wooden Lanna-style temple heavily decorated in colorful mosaics (both inside and out).
The stairs also feature intricate naga snakes. In the garden, between the adorned gate and the temple steps, there are two life-size elephant statues.
#9 Wat Sri Suphan
Touted as one of the most beautiful places in the city, the Sri Suphan Silver Temple in Chiang Mai sits to the south near the Saturday Night Market street.
Built in the 1500s, Wat Srisuphan was used by the local silversmiths – a popular trade of the Wualai village.
Silver Temple
All the shining silver is a stunning sight. The entire temple – both inside and out – is bedecked in the precious metal.
However, because it is an ordination hall that abides by old Lanna rules, women are not permitted to enter the actual temple.
Note: There is a 50 baht fee for all foreigners to enter the grounds surrounding the Silver Temple.
Assembly Hall and Silversmith Studios
The golden assembly hall is open to all visitors and features exquisite silver artwork. Working silversmiths are also located on the complex grounds and you’ll likely hear them before you see them.
Guests can purchase artwork – and even try their hand at the craft. On select days, the complex offers Monk Chat hours, as well.
Wat Muen San Chiang Mai
Just a short walk away is Muen San Temple, which has a few notable sights too. The Suttajitto Art Gallery is designed to resemble a temple and was built to celebrate the silversmith’s trade.
Large silver panels decorate the space. Each piece of artwork depicts the history of the temples and people of Muen San Village.
#10 Doi Kham Temple
Wat Phrathat Doi Kham is one of the best Chiang Mai, Thailand temples to visit to get a better understanding of local beliefs and customs.
The Golden Temple’s ancient history is shrouded in legends as well as modern ‘miracles’. The mountainous site also offers phenomenal views if you’re lucky enough to have a clear day.
Lucky Lottery
Speaking of luck, when we arrived the temple parking lot was absolutely packed. However, we appeared to be the only foreigners.
Vendors lined the entrance selling Jasmine flowers and…lottery tickets. Perplexed by the later, we learned that a local woman prayed here to a specific Buddha statue to win the lottery. It worked, and ever since craziness has ensued.
You can find that special golden Buddha in a small vihara within the complex. Inside, you will find piles of jasmine offerings left by those seeking their bit of luck.
Giant Sitting Buddha Statue
Although impossible to miss, take a moment to size up the enormous sitting Buddha statue near the entrance.
The 55 foot tall Buddha statue rests on an elevated platform, which hosts several other statues (which are all dwarfed in comparison).
Lanna-style Ordination Hall
To the left of the giant Buddha is a colorful ubosot (Ordination Hall) featuring exquisite details. The brightly colored structure has murals and impressive naga serpents along the stair railings.
To the right of the statue is an interesting shrine that features two elephants and a statue of Queen Chamathew.
Ancient Chedi at Wat Phra That Doi Kham
The oldest structure in the complex is the chedi (or pagoda). Built in the 7th century, it’s said to contain a sacred Buddha Hair Relic.
According to legend, Buddha bequeathed the hair to two cannibalistic giants – Pu Sae and Ya Sae – after they agreed to stop eating people and convert to Buddhism.
The chedi sits in the center of a courtyard that is adorned with numerous bells and gongs. Ringing the bells offers good luck…and a lovely soundtrack.
Viewing Deck at Doi Kham
At the back of the complex there’s a large deck that provides views over the city of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand.
Naturally, the views are best on clear days (which seem to be few and far between). Clouds, fog or smog (take your pick) made it nearly impossible to see anything below, although there were nice mountain vistas.
#11 Doi Suthep
Another Chiang Mai mountain temple, Doi Suthep, is one of the most famous sights in Thailand. Tucked into the forested Chiang Mai mountains, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is reached via a road of winding switchbacks.
Wat Doi Suthep History
The fable of why this Chiang Mai Buddhist temple was built on the mountain is quite a tale.
According to legend, a Buddha Relic (often claimed to be a shoulder bone) was attached to a sacred white elephant. The elephant was set free in the jungle and decided to climb this hill.
The elephant circled this area three times, trumpeted loudly in the air and then suddenly died. It was believed to be a sign – and the temple was built on the site.
The original, simple structure was built in the late 1300s to house the relic. The Doi Suthep complex has been expanded and embellished many times since. Today, the grounds shimmer and glisten in golden hues and vibrant colors.
Doi Suthep Naga Stairs
Guarded by magnificent serpents, it is more than 300 steps from the main road up to Wat Prah That Doi Suthep.
The staircase was built in 1557 and the ornate Naga snakes line the entire route. Too hot to climb? There is an inexpensive cable car that takes visitors to the top.
White Elephant at Wat Doi Suthep
The sacred elephant theme is (obviously) strong throughout the wat complex. In addition to ivory tusks and elephant images, don’t miss the life-size White Elephant sculpture.
Golden Pagoda
In the center of the complex is the glittering Golden Pagoda, which was built to house the Buddha Relic. It stands at 52-feet-tall and dates to the 1400s.
Emerald Buddha Statue
Although a replica, the Emerald Buddha Statue was one of our favorite sights in the complex. Perhaps it was the timing of our visit, when the light was just right and everything around it sparkled.
Monks, Bells and Viewpoint
Monks do live on-site at Doi Suthep, and we happened to witness an elderly monk giving special blessings to children.
Bells of varying sizes decorate the entire complex and ringing them is encouraged (even by non-Buddhist visitors).
Weather permitting, a viewing platform offers vistas over Chiang Mai. At an elevation of 3,500 feet, the air is noticeably cooler with mountain breezes – which all adds to tranquil nature of this amazing Thai temple.
Temples in Chiang Mai Map
Use our Chiang Mai Temples Map to create your own temple tour! If you’d rather a guide lead the way, read on to the Chiang Mai Temple Tours section below.
Chiang Mai Temple Sightseeing Tips
Above we have highlighted both Old City temples and must-see temples near Chiang Mai. Before you visit any of these, we have some essential advice.
Appropriate Attire
For both men and women, knees and shoulders should be covered. Sportswear, leggings and ripped clothing should not be worn.
Visitors who can not adhere to the dress code may either be denied entry or given garments to wear (which may require a fee).
Because it is hot in Thailand, I often wear sleeveless shirts when walking around town. Still, I pack a lightweight wrap in my day pack so that I can easily cover my shoulders when necessary.
Remove Shoes
Shoes always need to be removed before stepping inside a temple. There are often shoe racks near the doors. If not, just leave your shoes on the side of the stairs.
We recommend wearing flip flops (these Reefs are my favorite travel shoes), which are comfortable for long days of sightseeing, but can easily be removed.
Chiang Mai Temples Hours and Fees
Most temples in Chiang Mai are open during daylight hours; often from 8am until 6pm. However, in my research I found conflicting information on hours for nearly every temple in Chiang Mai.
We recommend visiting temples mid-morning, when the weather is still cool and most are certain to be open.
Many of the wats are free to enter. However, foreigners are required to pay fees to enter specific temples and/or complexes. The places that charge are Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the Silver Temple.
Alternate Temple Spellings
Translating temple names from Thai is not an exact science. You should not be surprised to find various spellings.
Small variations – like the absence of a letter or two words without a space – are the norm. While it can be annoying, most Thai temple names are different enough to avoid complete confusion.
Understanding Buddhism
It would be nearly impossible to visit Chiang Mai without noticing the strong connection the residents have with Buddhism. It ranks as the number one religion in Thailand with 94%.
Almost every house, shop, café, hotel and even street corners have a ‘spirit house’ where daily offerings are placed for loved ones who have passed away.
It is part of daily life in Chiang Mai to see orange-robed monks walking or riding on the back of scooters throughout town.
We struggled a little to understand Buddhism on our first trip to Thailand. While navigating our way to the temples in Chiang Mai, we noticed many similarities and differences – and learned that almost everything has a meaning in Buddhism.
Thai Temple Terms
Understanding the terminology associated with Buddhist temples can also help when visiting the temples in Chiang Mai.
Wat
The entire temple complex, which is enclosed by a fence or wall. Many structures, as well as monk living quarters, are contained within a wat.
Ubosot
Also called a Bot or Ordination Hall, it’s the main prayer room. Rituals, like ordaining monks, are performed inside the Ubosot. The hall is surrounded by 8 Sema stones, which designate the area as sacred.
Vihara
Also called the Wihan or Assembly Hall, Vihara often look similar to Ubosot and are also used for ceremonies and prayer. The difference, however, is that the Vihara lacks the boundary Sema stones.
Chedi
Also called Stupas or Pagodas, the cone-shaped structures house Buddha relics, the remains of kings and famous monks.
Naga
A snake-like creature (sometimes with multiple heads) that often decorate staircase railings leading into the temples in Chiang Mai.
Lanna
The Kingdom of Lanna (or Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields) encompassed the area of Northern Thailand from 1292 until 1775, and Chiang Mai was the capital.
Lanna-style structures are characterized by the inverted V-shape roof and are typically made from teak wood. Colorful embellishments and golden detailing are also common elements of Lanna style.
Buddha Positions and Day Of Week Offerings
At Wat Chedi Luang, they provide information regarding the different Buddha positions and corresponding meanings, which are actually significant. We also learned that each Buddha position identifies to a day of the week.
Furthermore, almsgiving bowls are labeled with the days of the week (often near the matching Buddha image).
Initially we thought donations were to be placed in the bowl of the day we visited the temple. In truth, visitors are supposed to put a donation into the jar of the day of their birth for good fate.
Chiang Mai Monk Chats
Talking to a monk is something we highly recommend doing. You can ask questions about Buddhism, about life as a monk or simply inquire about living in Chiang Mai.
At Wat Chedi Luang, we spoke with a 21-year-old monk from Laos. We gained insight into his daily routine – and he shared what it means to him to be a Buddhist monk.
He even talked about the orange garments he wears and showed us how he secures the robes on his body. Then, he went on to tell us about his living arrangements – a private room, but shared space with 13 other monks.
We were surprised to learn that, although his days are full of meditation and studying, he also enjoys watching movies and soccer (his favorite team is Real Madrid).
Buddhist Festivals in Chiang Mai
Buddhist festivals are another incredible way to learn more about the religion, people and culture. Many public Thailand holidays are based on the Buddhist calendar (which follows the lunar cycle).
We stumbled onto a Buddhist festival that was taking place in the Three Kings Monument plaza. Large stages were set up for performers, while two enormous tents – one for monks, the other for women and men dressed in white – occupied most of the space.
Long rows of tables were set up with gift basket offerings, which contained everything from soap to light bulbs to money.
The baskets are ‘raffled off’ to monks and, afterwards, they would seek out the donor to give them a special blessing.
Chanting Monks
Chanting is something that is often heard around Chiang Mai. In the mornings, chants drift through the city.
In the evenings we would often find temples filled with people chanting. Of course, we can’t understand what they are saying, but would stop to listen; drawn by the rhythm of the chants.
Buddhist Signs
Additionally, the actual Buddhist signs are one of the notable things to see in Chiang Mai. Usually displayed near temples, they have quotes serving as reminders on how to live a good life. Some examples are:
- As You Sow, So You Reap
- Poverty with dignity is better than wealth based on shame
- Work hard, but not with greed
- Better and ugly face than an ugly mind (this one is my all-time favorite!)
Chiang Mai Temple Tours
Touring the temples of Chiang Mai with a guide can help you to better understand their significance and Buddhism, in general.
Among the most popular are a half-day Chiang Mai temple tour – read reviews – and a sunrise alms-giving Doi Suthep tour – get the details.
Find more Top Temple Tours in Chiang Mai on Viator!
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