When you are looking for things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand the one thing you should not miss out on is visiting temples. Luckily the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand is not short of elaborate, beautiful, and serene Buddhist temples to visit. Old City, Chiang Mai which many people consider to be the Chiang Mai city centre is a perfect place to spend a day exploring these temples. The Old City houses close to 40 of the over 300 hundred temples that are located in Chiang Mai city centre. It’s near impossible to rank these temples as they all are unique and beautiful in their own way with their own history and story. So if you need things to do in Chiang Mai set aside a day to explore these breathtaking temples. I have outlined a few that you can walk between while spending a day in Old City Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Things to remember before visiting:

1) Dress Modestly: Most temples will require modest dress when entering the temple and is also generally expected in the grounds surrounding the temple. Most Chiang Mai temples dress code would include long pants or skirts and shirts that cover your shoulders. While some temples are okay with shorts or skirts that hit just below the knee, others will require you to cover up. Many temples offer clothes or sarongs (rented for a fee/donation, and sometimes at no cost) to cover up your shoulders or legs if not dressed appropriately. While some offer cloths for assistance with dressing modestly not all do so I would plan accordingly if you intend to spend your day exploring this beautiful temples and their grounds.

2) Remove your shoes: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off. If you are intending to walk from temple to temple you will find yourself on your feet quite a bit. It is also expected and customary in Thailand to remove your shoes before entering a temple, someones home and even some shops/establishments. When entering a Buddhist temple you will be expected to remove your shoes at the bottom step of the temple entrance.

Wat Chiang Man

Price: Donation optional

Location/Address: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200 (click here to locate on Google Maps)

This temple may also be found as Wat Chiang Mun and is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai dating back to 1297 CE. It was the first royal temple built in the Chiang Mai and built by King Mengrai, the first King of Lanna. The temple grounds contains a lot of significant and ancient artifacts. Some of these notable artifacts are two Buddha figurines, Phra Kaew Khao (Crystal Buddha) and Phra Sila (Marble Buddha). The 700 year old chedi Chang Lom is surrounded by elephants and is the oldest structure on the grounds of the temple.

Wat Lok Moli

Price: Donation optional

Location/Address: 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, ตำบล ศรีภูมิ อำเภอ เมืองเชียงใหม่ Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200 (click here to locate on Google Maps)

This temple may also be found as Wat Lok Molee and the exact date that it was built is unknown although the first time its name appeared/mentioned was during the reign of King Kuena (1355-1385). In 1527 King Ket commissioned the Chedi to be built on the grounds. The temple houses the ashes of many of members of the Mengrai dynasty who maintained the temple until their demise. One unique distinguishing factor of this temple is it’s orientation, which is aligned on the North-East axis where most temples are oriented to the East towards the raising sun.

Wat Rajamontean

Price: Donation optional

Location/Address: 149 Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand (click here to locate on Google Maps)

This is virtually impossible to miss as this temple is located across from Wat Lok Moli and has an enormous Buddha statue which overlooks the road. Wat Rajamontean also known as the “Dragon Temple” does not house additional buildings outside of the temple itself and the large sitting Buddha statue yet it holds a powerful feel as is sits high above the road. To get to this temple from Wat Lok Moli you can easily cross the bridge over the moat which is situated between the two temples.

Wat Phra Singh

Price: 20 baht/person donation required

Location/Address: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 502800, Thailand (click here to locate on Google Maps)

This construction of Wat Phra Singh (Voramahavihara) which was formerly known as Wat Lee Chiang started in 1345 by King Phayoo (Phayu). The temple is most well known for its Pra Buddahsihing, large golden Buddha statue. The Pra Buddahsihing which was being transported from Kampaengpet to Chiang Mai to be presented to the King when the chariot transporting it broke down consequently leading to the image to be installed at the Wat Phra Singh.

Wat Chedi Luang

Price: 40 baht/person entrance donation required

Location/Address: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand (click here to locate on Google Maps)

Wat Chedi Luang is probably one of the more iconic and well known temples located in the center of Old City, Chiang Mai. This temple was founded in 1401 and the grounds originally made up of three temples Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. This temple was originally built as King Seen Muang Ma had planned to bury the ashes of his father at this location. The construction of this temple took much longer than anticipated and was not completed until the 15th century due to stability issues. This temple is revered as at it’s completion was was the largest in the Lanna region standing at 82 meters high. Unfortunately in 1545 an earthquake caused the upper 30 meters of Wat Chedi Luang to crumble.

Wat Phan Tao

Price: Donation optional

Location/Address: 127/7 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand (click here to locate on Google Maps)

Located not far from Wat Chedi Luang you will find Wat Phan Tao. Wat Phan Tao was built in the 14th century and is unique in that fact that it is built of teak panels. Overhead of the main door and windows are elaborate dragon and peacock carvings layered with gold and colorful mosaic. Behind the main building you will find a towering all gold Chedi to top off the beauty of the Wat Phan Tao property.

Have a favorite temple that I missed? Please share in the comments so others can check them out and I have another reason to go back to Thailand!

Chone gaow,

-Jessica

Discover Old City, Chiang Mai Temples in a day

Things to remember before visiting:

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Lok Moli

Wat Rajamontean

Wat Phra Singh

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Phan Tao