Chiang Mai Temples

Chiang Mai is a quiet town set in a verdant valley surrounded by misty mountains. Despite its small size, it has so much to offer in terms of adventures, culture, handicrafts and antiques. It’s also a foodie paradise and a massage haven.

Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Now, the modern lifestyle with contemporary architecture, trendy cafes, pubs and nightclubs seamlessly blends with the quaint Old Town, ancient traditions and venerable temples.

There are over 300 ‘wats’ throughout the city and countryside, the highest number of temples found in any province in the whole of Thailand.

Most temples in Chiang Mai are in the ‘Lanna’ style, dating between the 13th and 18th centuries.

We are really lucky as my daughter-in-law has attended college in Chiang Mai before graduate school in NY, so she knows the area really well and is a fantastic guide.

Here are our favorite temples to visit.

Wat Umong

• Opening Hours: 06:00 – 17:00
• Address: 135 Moo 10 Suthep, Chiang Mai

Wat Umong is a forest temple at the foot of Doi Pei Moutain built in the 13th century. The temple complex is composed of old ruins, meditation tunnels and a large unpainted stupa.

There’s a monastery within the complex and monks walking around or circling in prayers is a common sight.

Wat Lok Molee

• Opening Hours: daily sunrise – 17:00
• Location: 298/1 Manee Nopparat Road

Wat Lok Molee was built in the 14th century and is located just outside the Old city. The entrance is flanked by  two beautiful stone elephants. It’s not a popular place so you may find yourself alone to enjoy the beauty of the manicured garden area, the ornate prayer hall and a range of small stupas.

Wat Lok Molee features many interesting statues, Buddha images, elephants and intricate mosaics on the main halls walls.

Wat Chiang Man

• Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00
• Location: The corner of Ratchaphakhinai Road and Phra Poklao Road soi 13

Wat Chiang Man built in 1306, is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, and features different types of architectures. Important Buddhist images including a crystal Buddha that is famous for healing power.

The two main meditation halls are richly decorated in red and gold and in the larger hall, you can find Chiang Mai’s oldest Buddha image, a standing Buddha holding an alms bowl.

Located in the middle of the Old City, Wat Chiang Man is relatively quiet. It’s very pleasant to stroll in the beautiful garden and meditate.

Wat Suan Dok

• Location: Suthep Road, about 1km east of Suan Dok Gate

Wat Suan Dok  has a mausoleum garden with whitewashed Lanna-style pagodas  Next to these mausoleums which belong to past rulers of Chiang Mai, there is a golden pagoda built on a raised whitewashed square base.

The open-air assembly hall lies next to the principal pagoda and features two main Buddha images, and a smaller Buddha image.

The ordination hall houses the principal 4.7 meters tall Buddha image, cast in the ancient Chiang Saen style.

The ordination hall houses the principal 4.7 meters tall Buddha image, cast in the ancient Chiang Saen style.

Doi Suthep

• Opening Hours: 06:00 – 18:00
• Location: Th Huay Kaew, Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai and is perched on a mountain . A Thai saying goes, “If you haven’t tasted Khao Soi or seen the view from Doi Suthep, you haven’t been to Chiang Mai.” From the temple, there’s sweeping view of the city.

Doi Suthep is surrounded by 261 square kilometers (100 square miles) of dense forests.The mountain and forests form Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

According to popular legend, Wat Doi Suthep was built in the 14th century to hold a piece of bone from the Buddha’s shoulder.

On top of the steps, you reach a terrace where shoes should be removed. Foreigners are expected to pay a small entrance fee. Take time to visit this beautiful terrace filled with trees, small shrines, rock gardens and statues.

More steps lead up to the inner terrace, where you follow a walkway filled with an amazing collection of Buddha statues in a variety of poses and materials, which goes around a golden chedi enshrining the relic.

The crowning five-tiered umbrella marks the city’s independence from Burma and its union with Thailand.

Chiangmai Zoo

• Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00
• Address: 100 Huay Kaew Road
• Tel: +66 (0)53 221 179

At the foothill of Doi Suthep, is the Chiangmai Zoo. If you are traveling as a family with children, I would highly recommend to visit the zoo after you leave Doi Suthep.

The Chiang Mai Zoo is more interesting than expected and is located over 200 acres of land and offers a variety of fascinating wildlife exhibits.

The Animals in Chiang Mai Zoo

There are almost 400 different species of animal at the Chiang Mai Zoo, including elephants, giraffes, tigers, chimpanzees, kangaroos, hippopotami and rhinoceroses. The stars of the zoo are a pair of young pandas who were sent as goodwill ambassadors from China (extra fee to access the panda pavilion).

Other attractions include an aviary and a freshwater aquarium.

The zoo visit is a very pleasant experience as it has managed to create a natural feeling environment and the animals seem to be well cared for.

Are you looking for hotels information in Chiang Mai? Check out this post about where to stay in Chiang Mai.