5 Best Temples in Chiang Mai – for beauty and importance

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Updated: 18 January, 2025

These are the essential temples in Chiang Mai, with all the details on what to see, prices and many tips.

Chiang Mai is the main city in northern Thailand, a fascinating, modern and cosmopolitan city that has managed to preserve its most traditional side.

When it comes to religion, 95% of the Thai population is Buddhist, It is estimated that there are more than 4,000 temples throughout the country.

Therefore, it is normal that on your visit to Thailand you will find hundreds of them.

Specifically, in the province of Chiang Mai there are more than 300 temples of different styles, sizes and all with fascinating stories.

As the city of Chiang Mai was for centuries the capital of the Lanna kingdom, its influence still lingers in the city and its temples.

In this article I explain all the details of the 5 most important and beautiful temples in Chiang Mai that you cannot miss visiting.

5 Best Temples in Chiang Mai

1.- Wat Chedi Luang

In the heart of Chiang Mai's old town is located Wat Chedi Luang.

These are 3 temples that are within the same enclosure, their construction began in the 14th century.

Stupa

The most impressive thing is the immense stupa, precisely what gives the temple its name, Wat Chedi Luang, which in Thai means "great stupa temple«.

This stupa It was the tallest building in the city for more than 500 years..

One striking element of the stupa is the colossal elephants at the base.

Originally, the stupa was 82 m high, with a base 54 m in diameter and housed the emerald buddha, the most sacred object in Thailand.

But after an earthquake in 1545, the upper 30 meters collapsed and they decided to move the Emerald Buddha, today the original is in the Royal Palace in Bangkok.

In 1990, a reconstruction was carried out financed by UNESCO and the Japanese government, although with very controversial results because a style from central Thailand was used and not the Lanna.

Other essentials

• The sculpture of reclining golden buddha, is located in an open pavilion at the back of the pagoda.
• The city pillar (Lak Muean), it was formerly used in fertility rituals. It is located in the sanctuary at the entrance, although access is prohibited to women.
• The main temple It is really beautiful and worth entering. The most notable are the majestic columns decorated with golden flowers on a black background and the three Buddha sculptures in the background, mainly the central one known as Phra Chao Attarot, the Buddha of the 18 cubits (the elbows was an ancient unit of measurement).

Monk Chat

In this temple they have Monk Chat, that is, you can go and chat with the monks, it is an interesting way to learn more about Buddhism, monastic life and Thailand.

Normally, the Monk Chat are a couple of days a week, now they have canceled it until March 2021 due to pandemic issues.

You can find more information or reach them out on their Facebook group. They are very modern monks, with social networks and everything. 😄

• Opening Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Entrance to the temples: free; main temple 40 baht

2.- Wat Phra Singh

Located in the western part of the walled area of Chiang Mai, It is the second most important temple in the city after Doi Suthep (below I tell you about this temple).

It's a temple full of elegant details typical of the Lanna culture, its construction began in the 13th century.

Entry to the site is free, although the main temple, if paid, costs 40 baht, the exchange rate is a little more than 1 euro/USD and is completely worth it.

Buddha sculpture

Inside there is the sculpture of Phra Singh Buddha, brought from Sri Lanka, although it is believed that in 1922 the original head was stolen and the one found there would be a replica.

During Songkram (Thai New Year) it is taken out onto the streets for people to spray it with water as way to honor the image of Buddha.

Other essentials

• The main stupa, dating from the year 1345, It stands out for its golden color and the elephants that protrude from its base. Inside are the ashes of King Khamfu.
• The murals inside the main temple They are from the early 1800s, when a renovation was done to the temple that was originally all made of wood. The murals depict local life and Jakata tales illustrating Buddha's previous lives.
• The monastic library (Ho Trai) It is located on the right side of the main temple on a stone pedestal, it was used to store precious manuscripts. The library is in classical Lanna style built in the 15th century and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings of this style in all of Thailand.

In case you don't have much time, I recommend this Chiang Mai temples excursion with a guide in Spanish who tells you many details.

Is he most complete tour that will take you to the main temples of the city, the Warorot market and to the flower market (Talat Ton Lam Yai).

• Working hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Price of admission: free; main temple 40 baht

3.- Wat Umong

This is one of those temples little frequented by tourists, although in my opinion it has a series of unique characteristics that are worth the visit.

Temple of the Tunnels

The most striking thing is the temple built in a series of interconnected tunnels dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.

At the end of each tunnel there are small caves (umong in Thai) where several Buddhas are found.

In some sections there are paintings on the ceilings of flowers, birds and elephants, although very poorly preserved.

Other essentials

• At the top of the tunnels is the great stupa in typical Sri Lankan style. From the stupa area you can see the dense forest that surrounds it and part of the enclosure.
• Next to the main entrance to the tunnels there is a buddha garden, where sculptures and Buddha heads are found. Apparently This temple was abandoned for centuries and it is not certain whether the sculptures belonged to some construction that is no longer there or were simply made in order to create that Buddha garden.
• It also highlights a replica of the famous Ashoka Pillar of the city of Vaishali in India, is in front of the main entrance to the tunnels.
• There is a huge fish pond where you can see large catfish, turtles and a wide variety of birds. The area has tables and seats where you can watch the monks chatting casually.

How to get to Wat Umong from Chiang Mai?

The temple is located in the middle of the forest, behind the airport and just a 15-minute drive from Chiang Mai Old Town. You can easily get there by motorcycle or car, or order a Grab.

👍 Friend's tip: Grab is an Uber-type application, I recommend that you download it. It is very useful for moving around various cities in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries without having to worry about negotiating prices or the language.

⭐ You may also be interested in this article about How to get around Thailand: all transportation options or this other about Guide on How to Rent and Drive a Motorcycle in Thailand.

If not, the most practical way to visit this temple and the next two, which are the furthest from the old town, it is with this popular Chiang Mai temple tour.

The tour is at dawn to take beautiful photos and avoid crowds. Also it's very cheap.

Meditation Retreats

This temple is one of the main places for meditation retreats in northern Thailand.

You can start the retreat any day of the week, you just need to show up before 9:30, although it is better send an email before.

The duration of the withdrawals is between 3 and 15 days.

The price that includes accommodation, sheets and food is 280 baht per day, you will also need linen that you can buy there or rent.

• Working hours: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Price of admission: free to enter the site, but recently they started charging tourists 20 baht to enter the tunnels.

4.- Wat Phra Lat

Wat Phra Lat is a temple little known among tourists, it is located on the mountain halfway between the city of Chiang Mai and the Doi Suthep Temple (I will tell you about this temple below).

Magic temple in the forest

It was built as a resting place for pilgrims heading towards Wat Doi Suthep, but since 1935, when the construction of the road leading to that temple was completed, Wat Phra Lat became a a rarely visited temple.

That is why it is normal to find monks who live there and others who walk around the well-known area every day. Path of the Monks, trail from the base of the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep.

Wat Phra Lat means Temple of the Leaning Rock and is located in the middle of the forest with a small waterfall that provides a more relaxed atmosphere if that is still possible.

This temple is a hidden corner, truly magical.

The temple is quite small, what draws the most attention are the sculptures of mythological beings that every day they are more integrated into the landscape, because the forest is taking over them with its vines.

Other essentials

• The main entrance of the temple is protected by Nagas, sculptures in white marble With a human head and a dragon body, they are mythological creatures from Hindu culture.
• At another entrance, towards the area where the temple is, there are Buddhist sculptures of Nora Nair, two great sacred sphinxes with the head of a woman and the body of a lioness, responsible for protecting against evil spirits.

How to get to Wat Phra Lat from Chiang Mai?

To go to this temple you can drive, it is less than 10 km from the old town of Chiang Mai.

If not, a good alternative is to walk along the Path of the Monks, It won't take you more than 45 and it's quite easy. You can then continue to Wat Doi Suthep.

In case you do not want to do the tour alone, you can do the Chiang Mai Monks Trail with a Guide like the one in the link and visit this temple and the next one.

⭐ In this article Monks Trail in Chiang Mai I'll tell you about the hiking route, starting point, how to get there, technical details and a lot of tips.

• Working hours: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: free

5.- Wat Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is better known by its short name Wat Doi Suthep is the most important temple in northern Thailand.

It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site, worshipers come from all over Thailand and other countries because it is said that Buddha's remains rest there.

pilgrimage temple

The Legend has it that King Kue Na On the back of his white elephant, he climbed Doi Suthep-Pui, place that has been considered sacred for more than 1,200 years by the Thais.

The elephant died of fatigue at the top and the king interpreted it as a divine sign, so he decided to build the temple in that same place to house the remains of Buddha.

Upon arrival at the Doi Suthep temple you will find a staircase flanked by impressive protective Nagas who accompany us during the 306 steps to the venue.

The 45 meter high stupa plated in brilliant gold It is the most characteristic image of this temple along with the resplendent chatras.

The chatras are the giant umbrellas that look like they were made of lace, of Burmese influence during the occupation of northern Thailand.

Other essentials

• Inside the enclosure and before entering the temple you will find an esplanade with views towards the city of Chiang Mai at more than 1000 meters above sea level.
• On the outer perimeter there are a couple of places with rows of large bells that the faithful They ring one by one in search of good fortune.
• Next to the entrance of the temple there is a huge white elephant statue of King Kue Na.
• Inside the temple you will find an infinite number of Buddha statues, one of the most notable is the replica of the emerald buddha, a 45 cm high statuette much loved by Buddhists. The original statue is located at the Royal Palace in Bangkok and it is made of jade.
• Lastly, but most importantly in Buddhist terms, next to the stupa you will find a statue of a reclining Buddha, in front are the remains of buddha. You will surely see Buddhist devotees leaving offerings.

Dates to avoid

This is a temple very popular with Buddhist faithful, I recommend avoid during major Buddhist holidays.

Like Songkham (Thai New Year) and the date that commemorates the birth of Buddha when pilgrims even camp on the mountain to visit him.

How to get to Wat Doi Suthep from Chiang Mai?

You can get there with your own transportation or by songthaew from the zoo entrance.

Then, the traditional way to go up is via the Monks Trail or the more relaxed way is with the tours that I recommended above.

• Working hours: 6 am to 8 pm
• Price of admission: 30 baht

Map of Temples in Chiang Mai

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

Recommendations when visiting Chiang Mai Temples

1. Remember that temples are sacred places and when you visit them you will need bring something to cover yourself with shoulders and knees like a sarong.
2. If you visit Wat Umong and Wat Phra Lat carry repellent, both temples are in the forest and there can be quite a few mosquitoes depending on the season. I usually use the Relec Extra Forte and not even a mosquito approaches. 😅
3. When you visit temples that are free, if it is within your means, leave a donation to contribute to the maintenance.

Final Thoughts

These are the best temples in Chiang Mai An essential visit, each one has its particularities and beauty.

Many tourists only visit the temples in the center, I recommend that you do not miss visiting the ones that are further away, they will surprise you.

In case I have left any topic untouched, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip!

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