Location: Chiang Mai
Top Things to do in Chiang Mai
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Top 10 Sacred & Religious Sites in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province
You could spend your whole Chiang Mai vacation exploring the famous Night Bazaar. Once you’ve exhausted the art of the cheerful haggle, however, there’s plenty more to explore. The National Museum and Botanic Garden are great places to soak up some local culture and to breathe in the delicate fragrance of Thai orchids. In the city’s center, the remains of ancient walls embrace over 30 temples. Limber travelers can climb 300 stairs to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, an ornate Buddhist temple in the hills.
Restaurants in Chiang Mai
1. Monkchat Meditation Retreat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
Our tour group spent part of a morning exploring and experiencing some of which this unique institution has to offer. Walking the grounds and listening to the chanting of the monks is certainly a grand opportunity to enjoy Thai culture and Buddhist teachings. They offer retreats for those who are interested in gaining more experience and knowledge.
2. Pikanesuan Devalai Chiangmai
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Pikanesuan Devalai is Hindu Temple Have a Big Ganesha Idol Dagdusheth Open Everyday 08.00 am - 08.00 PM !! Free Entrance !!
Reviewed By gabe_yoga1
This is possibly the most beautiful Ganesha temple in the old city of Chiang mai. You must come see all the colorful statues and the gorgeous pink Ganesha!
3. Wat Chiang Man
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,093 reviews
Reviewed By Nyunt_Eugene - Chachoengsao, Thailand
This is certainly a very beautiful temple with a lot of wall art inside the main building, and a magnificent statue of the seated ဗုဒ္ဓ at one end of the hall. Behind the main hall is a very well-preserved chedi with a lot of ช้าง/ဆင် symbolism.
4. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,000 reviews
Built about 600 years ago, this impressive temple once housed the precious Emerald Buddha.
Reviewed By Davinajs - Island of Malta, Malta
A must-see when visiting Chiang Mai old city, part of an historic temple complex, this impressive ancient temple was built around 14th century, originally 82 metres high with much of it collapsing after an earthquake.
5. Wat Phra Singh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,509 reviews
This temple was built in 1345 under King Phayu, the fifth king of the Mangrai dynasty.
Reviewed By Davinajs - Island of Malta, Malta
It's easy to visit many of these temples dotted around when walking around the old city of Chiang Mai, the architecture here is stunning and well worth a visit.
6. Wat Umong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,240 reviews
This unique 14th-century temple is built into the side of Suthep mountain and is constructed of a series of tunnels.
Reviewed By jiaogulanforhealth - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Easy to spend several hours there, going through the temple and strolling down to the lake to feed the fish, pigeons and turtles. 20 baht entrance fee to the temple.
7. Wat Phan Tao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 708 reviews
Reviewed By travelwithshreya - Phitsanulok, Thailand
Our next stop was Wat Phan Tao, meaning “temple of a thousand kilns”. It served as a throne hall for one of Chiang Mai’s Kings of Lanna Kingdom. The beauty of this wooden temple is remarkable. Wat Phan Tao is known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordination hall entirely made of teakwood.
8. Wat Suan Dok
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 897 reviews
Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. Some of the temple's chedis (spires) contain ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family. Also, one can see half of a holy Buddhist relic brought from Sukothai in 1371, which unfortunately split into two upon arrival in Chiang Mai. The other half is buried at Doi Suthep. A 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, one of the largest in northern Thailand, is also housed here, in the small hall at the back of the compound.
Reviewed By LPMT - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wat Suan Dok, also known as Wat Buppharam is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. The temple is on Suthep Road, approximately one kilometer west of Suan Dok gate at the west side of the moat (Google). I visited a lot of temples and this is one those you have to see and visit.
9. Wat Ched Yot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By Chrisvickery2 - Chiang Mai, Thailand
A remarkable 15th century Wat, built as a smaller replica of the Bodh Gaya temple in Bihar, India. The architects hadn’t seen the original, but copied another replica in Bagan, Myanmar. So, having been to Bodh Gaya, I have to say it’s not quite right, but charming nonetheless. There was a Buddhist Congress here (the sixth? There have only been about a dozen in over 2,500 years). Surprisingly well preserved stucco work. Easily accessible from the ring road.
10. Wat Ram Poeng
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By agnipaa
I've come here for a 10 day course twice, 6 years apart, and it has been profoundly healing and beneficial. Some reviewers have mentioned construction noise, and it's true that in the last 6-7 years a huge undertaking to renovate this 500 year old monastery has been underway. But it's all mostly done now, and there are so many perfect spots to meditate that if you find somewhere a bit noisey there are many other options, including an underground air conditioned room. "Hearing, hearing, hearing." Personally I found the food excellent and struggled to not overeat (too much food = sluggish mind). The instructors, especially Meichi Saree, are helpful and deeply compassionate. Phra Ajahn Suphan, the abbot and head teacher, has been at the monastery since he was 15 (35+ years ago) and is a kind and patient teacher. I will say that if you're looking for a place that is extremely strict and serious, this is not it. They tell you not to talk and put signs up, but people do and nobody stops them. If you want to have a fruitful practice, refuse the urge to socialize at all, or even to make eye contact! It seems pleasant, but just gives the mind something to latch onto. I have heard that if you're looking for a more rigorous and intense practice, you can study with Phra Ajahn Suphan's teacher at Wat Phradat Sri Chomtong, but you should probably have at least one 10 day under your belt first.
