Temples in Chiang Mai

Wat Phra Singh, the 'Monastery of the Lions and Buddha', is one of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai. Constructed in the 14th century, it houses the Phra Singh Buddha, giving the temple its name. The viharns are intricately designed, with gold details of mythological beings. The walls depict mural paintings of local scenes and Buddha's past lives.

Wat Chedi Luang stands inside the old city, and its chedi, begun in 1391, rose to around 80 metres before the top came down in the 16th century, leaving the truncated stump you see now. The Emerald Buddha sat here for most of a century before it went to Laos and eventually Bangkok, and a jade replica fills its eastern niche. It is the ruin on this list; Wat Phra Singh is the polished one.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, also known as simply Doi Suthep, is an ideal place to visit if you wish to seek spirituality during your trip to Chiang Mai. Located 25 km away from the main city and situated atop the Doi Suthep mountain amidst the dense forests of the Doi Suthep National Park, the holy shrine occupies a pious corner in the hearts of Thai people due to the history associated with it.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham, also known as the Golden Temple, is a temple housing a 17 metre tall golden statue of Buddha atop a hill. Set against the Doi Pui mountains with a panoramic view of the city below, the temple is said to preserve a lock of Buddha's hair. The complex is decorated with bells and gongs, as well as ancient sculptures of mythical creatures.

Set near the Doi Suthep mountain, Wat U Mong Thera Jan is a holy site located about a kilometre from the city centre. It is among the more easily accessible temples in Chiang Mai. Wat Umong is also called the Tunnel Temple due to its labyrinth network of tunnels set within the forest.

With a white chedi guarded by four lifelike sculptures of lions, Wat Suan Dok houses the largest teakwood statue of Buddha. On the compound is a Dhamma hall for prayer, where the walls and panels narrate the life and teachings of Buddha through murals and carvings. Heavily influenced by Burmese architecture, this temple is a hotspot of multiculturalism.

Built in 1296 during the inception of Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Mai is the oldest temple in the city. It has two decorated viharns, which contain the oldest and highly venerated Buddha images. The temple is decorated with elaborate golden structures and intricate engravings. The compound also has a scripture library called the Ho Trai, and a lovely lotus pond.

Located deep within a forest, Wat Pha Lat is among the few temples in Chiang Mai that merges the spirituality of Buddhism with the beauty of nature. It can be reached after a delightful hike along the monk's trail, completing which the temple offers a rewarding experience.

Rich with history of its origin, Wat Lokmoli is a temple that dates back to the era of the Mengrai Dynasty during the 14th century. It is known most significantly for its chedi, which is among the largest of all the temples in Chiang Mai. The alluring temple is decorated with structures of traditional serpents, wooden carvings, ornamental gateways and even a statue of a Lanna queen.

Wat Jet Lin, also known as Wat Chedlin, is one of the quieter temples in Chiang Mai. The temple interiors are bathed in bright red and pink colours, save the large golden Buddha sitting towards the end. In contrast, the outer complex has an idyllic feel, complete with a rustic stone chedi, an ornamental bridge, a pond, and an organic coffee shop.

Since it is constructed completely out of silver, Wat Srisuphan makes for one of the most temples in Chiang Mai. The glistening interiors of the temple are also decorated from wall to wall with mirror work, silver and bright colours, along with a silver Buddha. The temple conducts monk chats, wherein visitors can converse with monks about Buddhism.

Wat Phan Tao, literally translating to 'temple of a thousand kilns' was originally used as a king's palace in the 19th century before being fully converted to a temple. The viharn is one of a kind, being made only of wood, carved perfectly with details. The interiors contain a Buddha statue, sacred Buddhist scriptures and a Buddha throne. The temple grounds also have a kuti where monks reside.

With a white chedi guarded by four lifelike sculptures of lions, Wat Buppharam houses the largest teakwood statue of Buddha. On the compound is a Dhamma hall for prayer, where the walls and panels narrate the life and teachings of Buddha through murals and carvings. Heavily influenced by Burmese architecture, this temple is a hotspot of multiculturalism.

Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, literally meaning 'temple of the city navel' is a temple named after the city pillar called Sao Inthakin, which was situated close to the temple. The viharn, intricately detailed with woodwork and gold structures, houses the image of the Buddha known as Luang Pho Khao. The Inthakin Museum next door exhibits relics from the era of the Lanna Kingdom.

Wat Ku Tao is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai with traditional Burmese, Chinese and Confucian influences. Also known as Temple of the Gourd Pagoda, it borrows its name from its chedi that resembles a gourd or a stack of watermelons, which actually represents the lives of Buddha. It is a quiet temple with few visitors, making it perfect for some peaceful meditation and prayer.

With a Burmese style chedi, viharn with Lanna architecture, and motifs of Hindu mythological creatures, Wat Mahawan is a temple rich in the cultural heritage of Thailand. The complex also has an ubosot, the prayer hall where monks are ordained. The Ho Trai, which once contained scriptures with teachings of the Buddha, now serves as the residence of the temple's abbot.

Surrounded by thick jungles and lush vegetation, Wat Tham Pha Plong is a forest temple not far from the Chiang Dao mountains. The striking golden pagoda of the temple standing tall is visible even from a distance. The ascent to the temple is not easy, since it is reached after a hike up some 500 steps. The temple is known for the peaceful vibe and view it offers.

Though Wat Phan On is a small temple complex, it houses the most golden chedi/stupa, made in 2007 by the King of Thailand, Rama IX. The architecture of the temple is a beautiful mix of rich gold detailing and wooden carvings depicting traditional myths and motifs. Complete with a large viharn and a kuti where monks reside, this temple represents authentic Thai culture.