Top 10 Must - Visit Temples in Chiang Mai

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One of the reasons why Chiang Mai, Thailand was put on millions of travelers’ bucket lists was its sacred temples throughout the city. Metta Voyage has handpicked the top 10 must-visit temples in Chiang Mai for you to consider. Now let’s dive in!

There are over 300 Buddhist temples in and around Chiang Mai and a visit to any of these local places of worship can be a humbling, calming or uplifting experience. All temples feature Lanna style and are great storytellers of the Old time in Chiang Mai. The elaborate and imposing temples listed below are the top 10 picks everyone should not miss when visiting Chaing Mai, Thailand.

Top 10 must-visit temples in Chiang Mai

1. Wat Phra Singh

Phra Singh Voramahavihara (วัดพระสิงห์วรมหาวิหาร) is the full name of the well-known temple, Wat Phra Singh. Being one of the highlights of the core zone of the Chiang Mai UNESCO World Heritage project, Wat Phra Singh is put on the bucket list of worldwide travelers and worshippers due to its sacred value and intricate architecture.

Wat Phra Singh is believed to date to the 14th century when King Phayu wanted to build a place to store his father’s ashes, King Khamfu. Wat Phra Singh was home to the Emerald Buddha which is now enshrined in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Today, visitors can come and see a copy of this Buddha image only.

The temple features iconic glided Lanna-style roofs and an intricately decorated facade that shines brightly in the sunlight. Early morning is the best time to admire the temple from a distance. Inside, there is a large golden statue of the Buddha and six chedis, making a special spiritual connection to those who come there to show their reverence.

During the annual Songkran Festival or Chiang Mai’s Traditional New Year’s Day, the City Administration will arrange a parade of Phra Buddha Sihing around the city so Thai people can bathe the Buddha statue with lustral water.

Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50280, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 5 pm
Phone: +66 (0)53 416 027
Admission: 20 baht

2. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Built early in the 19th century, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred and important temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Nested quietly on the famous mountain called Doi Suthep, reaching the entrance is a rewarding experience. The scenery glistens with dewy shades of green such as bamboo, mixed deciduous, dipterocarp and evergreen forest. Also, you can admire the beauty of several snake statues along the journey.

The Naga staircase leading to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a favorite of many photographers. In fact, whether you take a songthaew with the locals or rent a Monk’s Trail, you still need to climb 309 steps up to reach the 600-year-old golden chedi at the top. It is quite an experience reaching the revered place step by step.

Location: Route 1004, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 5 pm
Phone: +66-53295003
Admission: 30 baht (the lift to the temple will cost 50 baht extra for a round trip)

3. Wat Chedi Luang

A famed Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Old City, Wat Chedi Luang gets its name from its enormous Buddhist chedi featuring 98 meters tall and 54 meters in diameter. This Chedi is believed to be Chiang Mai’s largest one.

Under many changes and restorations, Wat Chedi Luang still boasts distinctive features of Lanna-style architecture. Four staircases surround the chedi on each side, flanked by naga (serpent) monsters. There are various Buddhist images at the top of each stairway.

At Wat Chedi Luang, several buildings are worth your closer look such as Chedi Ruins, two viharas, and City Pillar. Daily Monk Chats, opening daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, is an interesting activity you can join to learn more about the lives of Buddhist monks.

Location: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 5 pm
Phone: +66 5381 4308 9
Admission: 40 baht (for international tourists)

4. Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Another temple set on the foothills of the Doi Suthep is Wat Phra That Doi Kham. It is about 15 km from Chiang Mai’s Old City and you can easily get there by taking a taxi. Wat Phra That Doi Kham is commonly famous for its 17 Meters tall sitting Buddha image. But in fact, the temple has three big Buddha statues in different positions: standing, sitting and reclining. All are worth your visit.

Even though the temple is quite old, dating back to the 7th century, its Lanna-style ubosot is preserved quite well. Like the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, walking the Naga staircase may be a highlight of your visit to this fascinating temple.

Location: Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
Phone: 053-248 604
Admission: Free

5. Wat Lok Molee

A breathtaking example of Lanna-style architecture, Wat Lok Molee is home to a number of chedi enshrining the ashes of several Kings of the Mengrai dynasty. About its location, Wat Lok Molee is built in the north – south direction while other Thai temples face east.

The most prominent feature in Wat Lok Molee is two large Nagas guarding the front entrance of the temple. The temple complex includes a new Lanna style viharn, A teak wooden pavilion, kuti and the living quarters for the monks. Unlike other temples, Wat Lok Molee is a perfect place for those who want to pay their respects and escape the tourist hordes.

This castle-like pagoda offer a great educational opportunity for locals and tourists to learn more about Lanna architecture and feature several religion events such as Visakha Bucha Day, Makha Bucha Day, Asalaha Bucha Day, Beginning of the Buddhist Lent, and End of the Buddhist Lent.

Location: 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 5 pm
Phone: 053-404039
Admission: Free

6. Wat Chiang Man

Considered the oldes temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Man boasts a great mixture of a mixture of Lanna and Singhalese styles. Built in the 13th century, Wat Chiang Man is believed to be the residence of King Mengrai, which is convenient for him to control and supervise the construction of Chiang Mai.

The temple is best famous for a small Buddha image, called The Phra Sae Tang Khamani, belonged to the Queen Chamathewi of Lamphun, wife of King Mengrai. This crystal Buddha image used to be the cause of a struggle in 1380. Another eye-catching architecture is the main pyramidal chedi with 15 large elephants incorporated into its base looking at different directions.

Location: The corner of Ratchaphakhinai Road and Phra Poklao Road soi 13
Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Phone: updating
Admission: Free

7. Wat Phan Tao

This temple is situated in a monastery with orange flags and is adjacent to Chedi Luang Temple. It has an exquisite design, gilt accents, and brilliant mosaics. Though it has a modest size, the temple offer sacred feelings and allows for some great photo opportunities inside and out.

In Thailand, Yee Peng Lantern Festival (usually in November) is an occasion when lanterns are set in the sky while Loi Krathong Festival is known as Water light offerings. These two festivities are often mixed up and if you come to visit Wat Phan Tao during this time, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience admiring lanterns that float into the air instead of on the water. Also, the monks come to take place praying and meditation at the garden.

Location: 127/7 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 7 am to 5 pm
Phone: +66 (0)53 814 689
Admission: Free

8.Wat Sri Suphan

Wat Sri Suphan is also known as The Silver Temple because it is covered in sparkling silver handcrafted decoration, both inside and outside. Among the oldes temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Sri Suphan is a modern architectural marvel built entirely by the skilled traditional workers from the local community in Chiang Mai’s traditional silver-making village – Wualai District.

The best time to visit this breathtaking temple is from May to November. You can enjoy cool atmosphere and fully explore the temple without being hindered by bad weather conditions like heatwave or rainfall.

Note that females are not allowed to enter the ordination hall but be able to walk freely anywhere else. There is not many tourists rushing to this temple, so it would be a great experience for those who want to slowly learn about the native architecture and other religious beauty offered by the temple.

Location: Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
Phone: +66 (0)53 274 705
Admission: 50 baht (for the silver Ubosot)

9. Wat Umong

Wat Umong (full name: Wat Umong Suan Puthatham) is surrounded by a dense forest and a natural lake, just West of Chiang Mai city not far from Doi Suthep mountain and Doi Suthep temple. Despite its unfavorable location, Wat Umong attracts a huge influx of tourist every year.

The 700-year-old temple beckons with wide tunnels where tourists can go through and admire beautiful murals about the gods, animals, people, trees and flowers which are all in Lanna style. Another thing to see is the crumbling central stupa towers set around a well-maintained tropical garden and smart-looking green lawns.

Visitors can also walk around a pond to feed catfish, ducks and turtles here. Some just simple choose a quite spot for meditation. Dhamma talks are held in English at the Chinese pavilion close to the pond is also an interesting activity for you to try.

Location: 135 Moo 10, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 5 am to 8 pm
Phone: +66 (0)85 033 3809
Admission: Free

10. Wat Suan Dok

If you are not prepare for a crowd, head to Wat Suan Dok, where you can totally enjoy the sacred atmosphere and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Literally, Wat Suan Dok means “flower garden temple”. The temple gets its name from its area where was used as a Royal flower garden by the ruler of Chiang Mai.

For independent travelers and worshippers alike, Wat Suan Dok has a lot of activities to try. Chatting with the monks is considered a golden chance for tourists to discover Buddhism, Thai custom and Lanna culture. If you want to reward yourself, try mediation retreat and learn some basic mediation techniques so that your soul and health are well-cared during your trip and after.

Tourists are allowed to take photos inside the temple, but behave nicely and do not disturb those praying or meditating.

Location: 139 Suthep Rd, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm
Phone: +66 (0)53 278 304
Admission: 40 baht (for the main building)

Visiting one of these temples would make your trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand more meaningful and memorable. You can come to pray for good health, good fortune and wealth. Some also seek life advice from monks living in temples. While many temples allow you to wear skirts or shorts, they should be smart and at least knee-length. Rember to cover your shoulders (no vests, tank tops, or spaghetti straps are allowed). Contact Metta Voyage for more information and take the first step to your Thai temple trip.