Looking for the best temples in Chiang Mai to add to your travel plans? With hundreds to choose from, it’s easy to feel a little templed-out before you even begin. That’s why I’ve rounded up the top five that truly stand out, whether you’re into culture, views, or want some epic photo spots.
This list isn’t about seeing every temple, it’s about seeing the right ones. From peaceful forest hideaways to iconic city landmarks, these spots are the perfect mix of history, beauty, and a little bit of wow factor.
The best part? You don’t need to be a history buff or super spiritual to enjoy them. These temples are just as much about the atmosphere, architecture, and experience as they are about tradition, and each one offers a unique glimpse into what makes Chiang Mai so special.
If you’re wondering where to start, here are the 5 best temples in Chiang Mai that absolutely deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase something I have recommended, I will earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay, but helps me to keep Travels by Izzy going.
The 5 Very Best Temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Chedi Luang
🕙 Opening times: 5 am – 10.30 pm
💸 Entrance fee: 50 THB (£1.10)
Wat Chedi Luang, is the most iconic temple in Chiang Mai. This 14th-century temple is located in the heart of the old town and is famous for its enormous Chedi, which stands 98 metres tall and can be spotted towering across the city in Chiang Mai.
Within the temple grounds, you can enter the ordination hall located near the entrance of the temple. This hall showcases beautiful Lanna architecture, and you can wander through admiring the golden pillars, the golden Buddha standing tall at the back of the hall, as well as the immaculately polished floors and colourful flags flowing in the gentle breeze.
As you stroll the rest of the grounds, you can walk the whole way around the famous Chedi. Here, you can admire the wonderfully decorated building with its elephant and serpent carvings. It is also a great spot in the grounds to partake in the well know monk chats in Chiang Mai, young monks here will often sit around the edges of the temple and are open to conversation if you would like to ask them about Buddhism and what its like to become a monk, it is a great opportunity for them to ask you curious questions in return and to practise their english.
Wat Umong
🕙 Opening times: 6 am – 5 pm
💸 Entrance fee: 20 THB (45p)
Located about a 20-minute drive outside of the old town Wat Umong is one of the most unique and stunning temples I have visited, with many different elements to it, you could wander the 15-acre grounds exploring for hours.
Dating back 700 years this ancient landmark is another glimpse into the Lanna Kingdom with their arcitecture and artifacts dotted around the temple complex.
Famously known for its tunnels, follow these ancient passageways to find the main altar of a large golden Buddha deep underground. It is believed the tunnels where created to help contain a mad monk, now they are only home to a family of bats, make sure to look up as you walk through to find them hanging from the ceiling.
At Wat Umong you can feed the fish, turtles and ducks on the large lake and take note of the messages portrayed on the ‘talking trees’ dotted around the temple grounds. The temple is now well known as a meditation centre with Buddhists coming to practise on the tranquil grounds here. You can also join them for meditation ceremonies or talks on Buddhism on Sunday afternoons.
Why not visit Wat Umong & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at night with Get Your Guide to see as the city lights twinkle below?
Wat Phan Tao
🕙 Opening times: 8 am – 7 pm
💸 Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Wat Phan Tao is one of the more historic structures in Chiang Mai, the Viharn is a wooden construction made from teak, one of the few left in Chiang Mai.
This beautifully decorated Viharn showcases a delicately carved peacock above the entrance as well as serpents and some mythical creatures. Inside the Viharn you can find large red painted teak wooden pillars supporting the building and a large golden Buddha sitting on an ornately decorated throne.
Located just behind the Viharn is Chedi Phratan surrounded by minor chedis as well as a small garden and pond with beautiful flowers. Make sure to wander around everywhere here to get a real feel for this historic space.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
🕙 Opening times: 5 am – 9 pm
💸 Entrance fee: 50 THB (£1.10)
One of the most sacred temples in Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located high up in the hills just outside Chiang Mai.
Constructed in 1383, legend says the temple was created to hold half of a shoulder bone of Buddha that was brought to Chiang Mai by a travelling monk, this half had been placed on a rare white elephant and set loose in the forest where it eventually died at the site of Wat Phra that Doi Suthep.
The entrance to the temple is up 306 steps that are lined with Naga serpants, once at the top the temple grounds are quite compact with many different pavilions and chapels surrounding the central Chedi.
From here, you can also get a breathtaking view over Chiang Mai, and it makes the perfect spot to watch as the sun rises over this iconic city.
Wat Phra Singh
🕙 Opening times: 6 am – 5 pm
💸 Entrance fee: 20 THB (45p)
Wat Phra Singh was built in 1345 and shortly after became home to one of the North’s most revered Buddha statues, Phra Phuttha Sihing. This is one of the most visited temples in Chiang Mai’s old town and is a very popular stop on the evening temple tours, as it looks stunning lit up in the dark.
The huge gold leaf-covered Chedi can be seen from outside the temple complex and is even more iconic up close. You can spend hours walking around here taking in everything there is to see, the temple grounds host many different buildings all of them holding their own unique stories.
This richly decorated temple comes alive under the setting sun with the golden hues shining on the golden Chedi, as you wander through the many buildings, catch a glimpse of the emerald Buddha and lotus ponds.
At Wat Phra Singh, in Viharn Luang, for a small donation, you may also have the chance to be blessed by a monk.
Essentials for Visiting Temples in Chiang Mai
Whilst you are in Thailand, there are many amazing temples to visit from North to South. Throughout the country, the rules remain the same, and I would like to remind you that these are places of worship and are to be respected whilst you visit and explore.
- Dress appropriately — ensure your shoulders and knees are covered at all times and do not wear clothes that are skin tight or revealing
- Be respectful
- Keep your voice down
- Take off your shoes
- Do not point your feet at the Buddha images or monks
- Do not sit on the monks platforms
- No public display of affection
- No smoking
What Else To Do in Chiang Mai?
Whilst temple hopping was one of my very favourite days whilst in Chiang Mai there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy in this bustling city in Northern Thailand. You can check out 11 Unique Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to find my very best recommendations!
Looking for more things to do while you’re in Chiang Mai? Don’t miss these posts: