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Chiang Mai is known for its beautiful and historic temples. The Chiang Mai Temples attract visitors from around the world due to their cultural and architectural importance. From ancient sites to modern designs, each temple has something special to offer. You can explore the serene atmosphere in Wat Chedi Luang and enjoy the landscape at Wat Lok Moli. Whether you’re seeking spiritual enlightenment, admiring intricate carvings, or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, these temples provide an unforgettable cultural experience.
10 Chiang Mai Temples
Explore 10 beautiful Chiang Mai temples that showcase the city’s rich culture and history:
1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Photo: JJ Harrison / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most visited Chiang Mai Thailand temples. It was built in the 14th century and is important for Buddhist worshippers. The golden stupa holds sacred relics of Buddha. People come here to offer flowers, light candles, and walk around the stupa in prayer. The temple has a museum displaying ancient Buddhist artefacts. Visitors can take part in a blessing ceremony with monks.
Location: Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
2. Wat Chedi Luang
Photo: Flying Pharmacist / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Chedi Luang is an old Chiang Mai temple built in the 14th century. It once had the tallest structure in the city before an earthquake damaged it. The large chedi still stands, and people believe it holds sacred relics. The temple has a reclining Buddha statue and several small shrines. Visitors can participate in a monk chat, where they talk to monks about Buddhism.
Location: 103 Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: A short walk or tuk-tuk ride from the Old City area
Open Time: 5 AM – 10:30 PM
3. Wat Phra Singh
Photo: Panupong Roopyai / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Phra Singh is one of the well-known Chiang Mai Thailand temples. Built in the 14th century, it is famous for the Phra Singh Buddha statue. The temple has traditional Lanna-style buildings with detailed wood carvings. Locals visit the temple to offer incense and chant prayers. The temple hosts the Songkran festival every April, where people pour water on Buddha statues.
Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: It is easily accessible by foot, tuk-tuk, or bicycle from the Old City.
Open Time: 5:30 AM – 7:30 PM
4. Wat Suan Dok
Photo:Kittipong khunnen / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Suan Dok is known for its white stupas, which hold the ashes of Chiang Mai’s royal family. This temple was built in the 14th century and has a large golden stupa. The temple is an important place for Buddhist studies, and monks offer meditation classes for visitors. People come here to make merit by giving food to monks. The temple has an open prayer hall with a huge bronze Buddha statue.
Location: 139 Suthep Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: Take a taxi or tuk-tuk from the Old City. It is about 10 minutes away
Open Time: 6 AM – 6 PM
5. Wat Umong
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote. / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Umong is different from other Chiang Mai Thailand temples because it is built inside a forest. This 700-year-old temple is known for its underground tunnels, which monks used for meditation. The walls of the tunnels have old paintings that display Buddhist teachings. Visitors can join meditation sessions held by monks. The temple has a large pond where people feed fish, turtles, and ducks.
Location: 135, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: A 15-minute drive from the Old City by taxi or tuk-tuk
Open Time: 4 AM – 8 PM
6. Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Photo: Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Phra That Doi Kham is also known as the Golden Temple Chiang Mai because of its golden stupa. The temple is over 1,300 years old and holds a sacred Buddha relic. The main attraction is a large seated Buddha statue, nearly 17 metres tall. People come here to pray for good fortune and light incense sticks. The temple offers oil lamp lighting ceremonies, which are believed to bring success.
Location: Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
How To Reach: A 30-minute drive from the city by taxi or motorbike
Open Time: 6 AM – 6 PM
7. Wat Rong Khun
Photo: Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Rong Khun, also called the White Temple Chiang Mai, is different from other temples because of its modern design. Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat built this temple in the late 20th century. The temple is all white, with small pieces of glass embedded in the structure to make it shine. The bridge leading to the temple symbolises the journey to enlightenment. Visitors can see murals that combine traditional Buddhist stories with modern images.
Location: Chiang Rai, about 3 hours from Chiang Mai
How To Reach: Take a bus or hire a taxi from Chiang Mai
Open Time: 8 AM – 5 PM
8. Wat Chiang Man
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote. / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, built in the 13th century. It was the first royal temple of the city and had two special Buddha statues. One is made of crystal, and the other is carved from marble. People believe these statues have special powers to bring rain. The temple has an elephant-shaped chedi, showing the importance of elephants in Thai culture. Visitors can see ancient inscriptions that tell the history of Chiang Mai.
Location: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: Located in the Old City, it is easy to reach by foot or tuk-tuk
Open Time: 5 AM – 7 PM
9. Wat Lok Moli
Photo: Flying Pharmacist / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Lok Moli is an old temple with a large brick stupa. Unlike other Chiang Mai Thailand temples, it has few decorations, which are still important in history. The temple was built in the 16th century and was used by the royal family. The main prayer hall is made of wood and has detailed carvings. Visitors can see statues of Buddha in different poses.
Location: 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: A short ride from the Old City by tuk-tuk or bicycle
Open Time: 6 AM – 5 PM
10. Wat Phan Tao
Photo: Stefan Fussan / Wikimedia Commons
Wat Phan Tao is a small but unique temple made of teak wood. It was once part of a royal palace before being turned into a temple. The main prayer hall has a golden Buddha statue, and the walls have old wooden carvings. The temple is next to Wat Chedi Luang, so many visitors see both on the same day. During Buddhist festivals, the temple holds candlelit ceremonies.
Location: 05 Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How To Reach: Easily accessible by foot or tuk-tuk from the Old City
Open Time: 8 AM – 6:30 PM (Except Sunday 8 AM – 10:30 PM)
Chiang Mai Temples are important to the city’s history and culture. Each temple has something unique, from ancient stupas to modern designs. Visiting these temples is a great way to learn about Thailand’s traditions and beliefs. You can explore the temples and wander amidst the beauty of the architecture and calmness. Plan your trip with TripXL to explore these beautiful sites.
Cover Photo: Hans-Jürgen Neubert / Wikimedia Commons
