Wat Saen Fang is a Buddhist temple reached through a narrow approach off Tha Phae Road, east of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Its elaborate chedi, decorated halls and royal-building connection make it an interesting...
Chiang Mai Temples
Chiang Mai is home to hundreds of Buddhist temples, from famous mountain sanctuaries and major Old City monasteries to quieter neighbourhood wats with strong local significance. The current Chiang Mai Travel Hub temple inventory includes Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and many other temples across Chiang Mai and the wider north.
The strongest visitor experience comes from combining the major temples with smaller historic sites. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the city’s best-known mountain temple, Wat Chedi Luang is famous for its enormous ruined chedi, and Wat Phra Singh remains one of the Old City’s most important active monasteries.
Explore Chiang Mai Temples
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – Visit Chiang Mai’s landmark mountain temple for its gilded chedi, religious importance and elevated setting above the city.
- Wat Chedi Luang – Explore one of the Old City’s most important temple complexes, centred on a huge partially ruined historic chedi.
- Wat Phra Singh – See elegant Lanna architecture, historic murals and the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image in this active monastery.
- Old City temples – Walk between major and smaller temples within Chiang Mai’s moat, where many important sites are close together.
- Mountain and regional temples – Go beyond the centre to discover temples on Doi Suthep and across northern Thailand, where religious sites are often closely tied to mountain landscapes and local pilgrimage traditions.
Browse the listings below to discover Chiang Mai temples, Buddhist landmarks and historic religious sites across the city and northern Thailand.
Wat Saen Fang
Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai
Wat Tha Ton
Tha Ton, Mae AiWat Tha Ton is a hillside Buddhist temple complex above Tha Ton village and the Kok River in Mae Ai, northern Chiang Mai province. Large Buddha images, shrines and the colourful Crystal Chedi are spread across the...
Wat Phra That Doi Saket
Choeng Doi, Doi SaketWat Phra That Doi Saket is a hilltop Buddhist temple northeast of Chiang Mai, overlooking Doi Saket town and the surrounding countryside. Its large Buddha image, sacred chedi and unusually modern murals give visitors...
Wat Loi Khro
Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Loi Khro, often written Wat Loi Kroh, is a Buddhist temple on Loi Kroh Road east of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Its prayer hall, chedi and decorative details provide a cultural stop along the route between the moat...
Wat Pong Noi
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Pong Noi is a neighbourhood Buddhist temple in Suthep, on the western outskirts of Chiang Mai. Its decorated entrance, worship spaces and surrounding local streets offer a quieter temple visit than the busy...
Wat Klang Wiang
Wiang, Mueang Chiang RaiWat Klang Wiang is one of Thailand’s most ostentatious temple, thanks to the elaborate pattern work on each and every structure on location.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong
Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang RaiWat Phra That Doi Chom Thong has been one of the most sacred sites in Thailand. It is the abode of spirits prior to the spread of Buddhism in the region.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung
Huai Khrai, Mae SaiWat Phrathat Doi Tong, also Wat Phra Maha Chinathat Chao, is situated at the peak of Doi Din Daeng, and is believed to be the site of the first chedi.
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao
Wiang, Chiang SaenWat Phra That Pha Ngao combines a wooded hillside temple with broad views over the Mekong near Chiang Saen. Its lower shrines invite a slower look at Buddhist images and Lanna woodwork, while the upper grounds bring the...
Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat
Wichet Nakhon, Chae HomWat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat is the mountain temple in Lampang commonly known as Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, or the Floating Pagodas. White and golden stupas stand on sharp limestone peaks above Chae Hom, creating one of...
Wat Chedi Sao Lang
Ton Thong Chai, Mueang LampangWat Chedi Sao Lang is a temple near Lampang named for its group of twenty chedis. The clustered white stupas and gilded details are its defining sight, bringing Lanna and Burmese architectural influences together in a...
Wat Pong Sanuk
Wiang Nuea, Mueang LampangWat Pong Sanuk is a historic temple in Lampang whose raised sanctuary and carefully restored timber pavilion reward a close look. The best-known section is Wat Pong Sanuk Nuea, or the northern temple, where the chedi...
Chedi Phra That Mae Yen
Mae Hi, PaiChedi Phra That Mae Yen is the hilltop temple east of Pai known for its large white seated Buddha. The statue looks out across the valley, while the climb to its platform gives visitors a chance to take in the town...
Wat Phan On
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Phan On is a small Buddhist temple just inside Chiang Mai’s eastern Old City, a short walk west of Tha Phae Gate. A bright golden chedi, decorated assembly hall and tree-shaded courtyard make it an appealing...
Wat Chai Phrakiat
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Chai Phrakiat is a small Buddhist temple on Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City, a short distance east of Wat Phra Singh. Its compact layout makes it easy to add to a walk, while the mix of Lanna and...
Wat Fon Soi
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Fon Soi is a small Lanna temple just inside the southern part of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Its naga stairway, decorated assembly hall and white-and-gold chedi make it a worthwhile pause on a walk north from...
Wat Khuan Khama
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Khuan Khama is the Golden Horse Temple on Sri Poom Road, just inside Chiang Mai’s northern Old City moat. Golden horse statues at the entrance and along the wall make it easy to recognise, while the compact...
Wat Muen Nguen Kong
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Muen Nguen Kong is a Buddhist temple in the southwestern part of Chiang Mai’s Old City, reached from the Samlan Road area. Its reclining Buddha, decorated Lanna halls and golden chedi make it a rewarding stop...
Wat Pan Waen
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Pan Waen is a small active temple in the southern part of Chiang Mai’s Old City, where an unusually decorated white chedi rewards a closer look. The shaded grounds and ornate assembly hall make it a worthwhile...
Wat Samphao
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Samphao is a compact temple on Chiang Mai’s central Old City walking route, west of Tha Phae Gate. Its raised Lanna assembly hall, ornate stairway and chedi make it easy to include between larger sightseeing...
Wat Si Koet
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Si Koet is a small Buddhist temple on the western stretch of Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City. Its assembly hall and principal bronze Buddha image give it more substance than its modest street...
Wat Thung Yu
Si Phum, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Thung Yu is a small Buddhist temple on Ratchadamnoen Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City, near Wat Phra Singh. Also spelt Wat Tung Yu, it rewards a short stop with decorative temple buildings, Buddha images and...
Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiChiang Mai City Pillar Shrine houses the Inthakhin, the city’s sacred pillar, within the grounds of Wat Chedi Luang on Phra Pokklao Road. It is a place of worship associated with the protection and wellbeing of...
Wat Jedlin
Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Jedlin is a small active Buddhist temple on Prapokklao Road in Chiang Mai’s Old City. Also known as Wat Jet Lin or Wat Chet Lin, it combines a Lanna-style prayer hall and old chedi with a pond and wooden...
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir Temple
Chang Klan, Mueang Chiang MaiThe Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir Temple is a Russian Orthodox church in Chiang Mai’s Chang Khlan neighbourhood. Often called St. Vladimir’s Church, it serves a parish community at 4...
Wat Ket Karam
Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Ket Karam, also written Wat Gate Karam, is a Buddhist temple on Charoen Rat Road on the eastern side of Chiang Mai’s Ping River. Its layered assembly-hall roof, white chedi and connection with the historic Wat...
Wat Intharawat
Nong Kwai, Hang DongWat Intharawat, better known locally as Wat Ton Kwen, is a Lanna temple in Nong Kwai, Hang Dong, southwest of central Chiang Mai. Its low timber hall, open galleries and distinctive four-gabled pavilion form a compact...
Wat Pan Sao
Suthep, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Pan Sao is a Buddhist temple just outside the western moat of Chiang Mai’s Old City, south of Chiang Mai Ram Hospital. Its weathered brick chedi and newer worship spaces make it an interesting contrast with...
Wat Muen San
Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Muen San is a temple in Chiang Mai’s Wua Lai silversmith neighbourhood, south of the Old City. Its embossed metalwork, small museum and wartime memorial bring together three parts of the area’s story:...
Wat Si Rong Muang
Sop Tui, Mueang LampangWat Si Rong Muang is a teak temple in western Lampang, south of the Wang River. Its richly decorated wooden worship hall, layered roof and coloured glass ornament show the influence of the Burmese and Shan communities...
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao Suchadaram
Wiang Nuea, Mueang LampangWat Phra Kaew Don Tao Suchadaram is one of Lampang’s most rewarding temple complexes, with a large golden chedi, a richly decorated Burmese-style pavilion and buildings reflecting northern Thailand’s...
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan
Nai Mueang, Mueang LamphunWat Phra That Hariphunchai Woramahawihan is a major Buddhist temple in central Lamphun, south of Chiang Mai. Its golden relic chedi, richly decorated worship hall and imposing lion-guarded entrance make it the...
Wat Phraphutthabat Tak Pha
Makok, Pa SangWat Phraphutthabat Tak Pha is a pilgrimage temple in Pa Sang district, Lamphun, with sacred features in the lower compound and a hilltop stupa reached by a long naga staircase. The change in setting is part of its...
Wat Nam Hu
Wiang Tai, PaiWat Nam Hoo is a key temple in Pai, and it attracts both devout locals and tourists. Home to the sacred Buddha image, this is a must-visit temple.
Wat Ket Karam Museum
Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang MaiWat Ket Karam Museum brings Chiang Mai’s riverside past into focus through old photographs, household objects and religious artefacts gathered in a former monk’s residence. The small museum stands within Wat...
What are the best temples to visit in Chiang Mai?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are three of the best-known choices, while the Old City also contains many smaller historic temples within easy walking distance.
What is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is generally regarded as Chiang Mai's signature temple, with a gilded chedi, major religious importance and a mountain setting overlooking the city.
Which temples are in Chiang Mai Old City?
Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are among the most important Old City temples, with many additional monasteries and historic religious sites spread throughout the walled centre.
What should I wear when visiting temples in Chiang Mai?
Visitors should dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered at active Buddhist temples. Shoes are usually removed before entering certain shrine buildings, and quiet, respectful behaviour is expected around worshippers and monks.