Chiang Mai Attractions

Amphoe Muang

Wat Buppharam

Wat Buppharam , located on Tha Phae Road, Muang district. The interesting attractions include the Burmese architectural chedi, the wooden craved roof main chapel, and the local style wooden small chapel.

Wat Chedi Chet Yot

Wat Chedi Chet Yot or Wat Photaram Viharn, located on the Super Highway Road (Chiang Mai-Lampang), 4 kilometres from Chiang Mai town. It is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai and was recently renovated. The interesting attraction of this temple is the seven tapering finial stupa, which is supported by lovely divine sculptures at its base. The most interesting of all is that the stupa possesses architecture of the Phuttakaya stupa in India. Besides, the stupa contains ashes of King Tilokkarat, the king of Mengrai Dynasty who built this temple is worth a visit.

Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham

Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham ,the temple was built in 1288 in the reign of King Mengrai after he had authorised an administrative responsibility of Lamphun town to his minister, Aey Fah. King Mengrai established a town in the northeast of Chiang Mai for 5 years and then resettled a town near the Mae Ping River in 1277 and renamed it 'Wiang Kum Kam'. In 1287, the stupa of Wat Jamthewi, Lamphun was rebuilt in Wiang Kum Kam for the locals to worship.

After that for hundreds years, the temple was left abandoned. In 1908, a Burmese tycoon renovated it, thus the temple has influences of Burmese architecture instead of its former Khmer style. Only some parts were rebuilt in Khmer architecture.

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang houses the largest chedi in Chiang Mai. The temple is located right in the middle of the city and was built in the reign of King Saen Mueang Mak, the seventh king of Mengrai Dynasty. The 98-metre tall and 54-metre wide chedi was built in the reign of King Tilokkarat. The construction was completed in 1481. In 1545 the chedi was collapsed due to an earthquake during the reign of King Jiraprapa. The chapel in the front was built by Chao Khun Uba Lee Poramacharn (Sirichantathera) and Chao Kaeo Navarat in 1928.

The magnificent methodological serpents ramble from the entrance of the chapel to its door on both sides. It is believed that they are the most beautiful manmade serpents in the north of Thailand.

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. King Mengrai allegedly lived here while the new city of Chiang Mai was constructed. The temple is located within the walled city on Ratchaphakhinai Road. It is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses and a beautiful chapel . Enshrined in the temple are a tiny crystal Buddha called Phra Kaeo Khao, which is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another image, called Phra Sila Khao, reflects the fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousands of years ago.

Wat Ku Tao

Wat Ku Tao was formerly called Wat Veru Vanaram. The temple is located in Tambon Sri Phum near Chiang Mai Stadium. It is noteworthy for an unusual watermelon shaped pagoda, thus giving such name by the locals. An exact period of its establishment is somewhat unknown, but from a legend, the Ku Tao chedi contains ashes of Prince Saravadee, the son of King Bureng Nong who ruined Chiang Mai from 1579 to 1607.

Wat Phan Tao

Wat Phan Tao, located on Phra Pok Klao Road beside Wat Chedi Luang. The temple was a throne hall for King Mahotara Prateth, thus the peacock shaped doors were built. It is believed that peacock is a symbol of king.

Wat Phra Sing

Located on Sam Lan Road, houses the revered Phra Phutthasihing Buddha image cast in Subduing Mara. The Buddha image is now enshrined in Vihan Lai Kham. During the Songkran festival, each April 13-15, people process the most sacred Buddha image around Chiang Mai town for traditional bathing. Formerly, this area was a Wat Li Chiang Market until 1345, King Pa Yu, the fifth king of Mengrai Dynasty commanded to built this temple and a 24-feet chedi containing his father's ashes. The temple compound includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel featuring exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals, a magnificent scriptural repository with striking bas relief, and a circular stupa (in Lankan bell shape).

Wat Phra That Doi Noi

Wat Phra That Doi Noi is in Tambon Doi Lo, Amphoe Chom Thong along Highway No.108 between Km. 43 and 44. The temple was built by Queen Jamathewi in 658 AD. During excavations, numerous marble Buddha images, Buddha image containers, and a chapel were discovered. The hilltop temple allows visitors to glance the scenic beauty of the Mae Ping River and surrounding hills and valleys. The temple is approachable on foot by climbing 241 steps.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai's most important and visible landmark, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop. This temple is 15 kilometres from town , 3,520 feet above sea level, and dates from 1383. The temple is approached on foot by climbing a steep Naga staircase comprising 290 steps.

The less energetic may ascend by funicular railcars. The temple's pagoda contains holy Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year. The temple compound offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and surrounding countryside.

Wat Prasat

Wat Prasat, located on Inthawarorot Road near Wat Phra Sing. The temple houses traditional Lanna architecture chapel, the chapel roof is decorated in colourful glasses and wooden carved lions. Wat Prasat houses one of the rare Lanna Buddha images.

Wat Saen Fang

Wat Saen Fang is located on Tha Phae Road. This is the old temple, built in the Burmese architecture. The residence of the abbot dating from more than 100 years is an interesting attraction in the temple compound. King Intavitchayanontha, the seventh king who governed Chiang Mai commanded to destroy the residence of Phra Chao Gavirorossurivongs (Chao Chevit Ao), the sixth ruler of Chiang Mai. 1877, later his former residence was rebuilt in this temple. The celebration was held in 1878.

Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok is on Suthep Road. The temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunset. Several of the white chedis contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. The 500-year-old bronze Buddha image in a secondary chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal images.

Wat U Mong

Wat U Mong , located on Suthep Road in the town. The spacious temple was found in the reign in King Mengrai around 1296. It renovation was done in the reign of King Keu Na. The large wall like building with a connected tunnel inside is a remarkable piece of art is located in the temple compound. A large stupa is located near the temple's wall. Wat U Mong is teemed with various kinds of trees, thus making it an ideal meditation place.

Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city that was built in the reign of King Mengrai in 1286. The city was surrounded by ditches in every corner and they were used as reservoirs. From the discoveries, there are 20 ancient remains in and around Wiang Kum Kam include buildings and temples of Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham, Wat Noi, Wat Pu Pia, Wat Ku Koa, Wat E Kang, Wat Hua Nong, and Wat Pu Song. The remains are dating from 21-22 Buddhist centuries.

Presently, Wiang Kum Kam is located in the south east of Chiang Mai, between Km. 3-4 along Chiang Mai-Lamphun route, Tambon Wang Tan, Saraphi district. It is situated near the east of the Mae Ping River.

Getting there by taking the road at Nong Hoi Police box to the Ko Klang Pa Kluai intersection and en route to Chedi Liam Police box.

Amphoe Chai Prakan

Wat Tham Tap Tao

Wat Tham Tap Tao is in Amphoe Chai Prakan on the Chiang Mai-Fang route. Take a left turn at an intersection for 3 kilometres. The temple is situated between Km.120 and Km.121. The peaceful temple compound comprises a mid-pond scripture hall and Tap Tao cave, which is the beauty highlight. The cave is somewhat smaller than Chiang Dao cave, but it offers the unique charm of Buddha images inside.

Amphoe Chom Thong

Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong

Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong is 58 kilometres from the town in Chom Thong district and dates from the mid-1400s. The temple houses a collection of bronze Buddha images, and the secondary chapel contains a holy Buddha relic.

Amphoe Mae Chaem

Wat Phutha Oen

Wat Phutha Oen is located in Tambon Chang Khoeng, Amphoe Mae Chaem. According to a legend, this temple was built in an early Ratanakosin period or dating from more than 200 years. One of the most interesting historical attractions in this temple compound is the Water Chapel. The Chapel is surrounded by water battlement instead of the ordinary cement battlements. The Vihan is located behind this water chapel and houses artistic mural painting, but its colour has been faded over time.

Amphoe Wiang Haeng

Wat Fa Wiang In

Wat Fa Wiang In is a temple of Shan architecture located in Ban Lak Taeng right on the Thai-Myanmar border. In the past, Khun Sa, a drug warlord, once governed the area, but after he surrendered to the Myanmar government, the temple was divided into 2 parts. A golden pagoda is located on the Thai side, while the chapel's red roof can be clearly seen on the Myanmar side.