Temples

The golden chedi on Doi Suthep mountain.

In and around Chiang Mai you can visit about 300 temples. The most beautiful temples include:

Your visit to Chiang Mai should include at least a few of these temples.

 

Wat Umong

Wat Umong is a jungle temple built in the foothills of Doi Suthep mountain. The unique features include an artificial mound that is criss-crossed with tunnels (umong is Thai for “tunnel”). On top of this mound is the main bell-shaped chedi. Wat Umong is a beautiful place to visit especially to walk around under the forest trees that surround the temple. The complete name for the Buddhist temple is Wat Umong Suan Puthatham.

A collection of Buddha heads and other relics near the entrance of the tunnels.
A collection of Buddha heads and other relics near the entrance of the tunnels.
Wat Umong Tunnel
Wat Umong Tunnel
Wat Umong Tunnel
Wat Umong Tunnel

 

Wat Phra Singh

Wat Phra Singh situated in the heart of the city originates from the 14th century but most of its buildings were built in the 19th century. This temple contains beautiful examples of Lanna art. The library hall or scripture repository (Haw Trai) near the main entrance is used to keep Buddhist scriptures.

A smaller temple in the Wat Phra Singh temple complex.
A smaller temple in the Wat Phra Singh temple complex.
The library hall of Wat Phra Singh contains Buddhist holy manuscripts.
The library hall of Wat Phra Singh contains Buddhist holy manuscripts.

 

Wat Phra Thad Doi Suthep

The most famous temple of Chiang Mai is located on the Doi Suthep mountain. It can be reached by car via a winding road through the forest offering splendid views over the city. A long naga stairway takes you to the temple complex with its shiny golden chedi which can be seen day and night from everywhere in Chiang Mai. A visit to Chiang Mai is not complete without seeing this temple.

Chiang Mai city seen from Doi Suthep mountain.
Chiang Mai city seen from Doi Suthep mountain.
Bells are attached to the roof of the temple buildings.
Bells are attached to the roof of the temple buildings.
The golden chedi on Doi Suthep mountain.
The golden chedi on Doi Suthep mountain.
The golden chedi on Doi Suthep mountain.
The golden chedi on Doi Suthep mountain.

 

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai. The Emerald Buddha was once enshrined here, but it was moved after the main structure partly collapsed because of an earthquake. The Grand Pagoda, Phra Dhatu Chedi Luang, is now at its base about 60 meters wide and is 56 meters heigh. The temple is home to several Buddha statues, including a 9 meter tall standing Buddha statue and a 9 meter long reclining Buddha statue.

The chedi at Wat Chedi Luang has a base of 60 meters wide.
The chedi at Wat Chedi Luang has a base of 60 meters wide.
Sunset at Wat Chedi Luang.
Sunset at Wat Chedi Luang.

 

Wat Jed Yod

Wat Jed Yod temple gets its name from the seven chedis (jed = seven). The temple has an Indian design and is decorated with seventy celestial images on the walls of the base. The temple area is shaded by old trees and especially beautiful just before sunset.

Wall decorations at Wat Jed Yod.
Wall decorations at Wat Jed Yod.
Buddha images at Wat Jed Yod.
Buddha images at Wat Jed Yod.
Wat Yed Jod is beautiful just before sunset.
Sunset at Wat Yed Jod.
Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Mai
Wat Yed Jod is beautiful just before sunset.
Monks inside the temple building of Wat Jed Yod.
Monks inside the temple building.

 

Wat Bup Pha Ram

Wat Bup Pha Ram is a beautiful temple located at the Tha Pae road, which is one of the main roads in the center of Chiang Mai. The temple area has several buildings in different styles and a tall chedi, all worth visiting and within walking distance from Chiang Mai’s Night Bazar.

The biggest temple building of Wat Bup Pha Ram.
The biggest temple building of Wat Bup Pha Ram.
Wat Bup Pha Ram temple wall decorations.
Wat Bup Pha Ram temple wall decorations.
Decorations in Wat Bup Pha Ram temple complex.
Decorations in Wat Bup Pha Ram temple complex.
Chedi of Wat Bup Pha Ram
Chedi of Wat Bup Pha Ram.

 

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man (or Wat Chiang Mun) was founded more than 700 years ago. This old temple is located in the old city on the Rachpakinai Road. At the base of the chedi are rows of elephants supporting the structure.

Wat Chiang Man in the heart of Chiang Mai city.
Wat Chiang Man in the heart of Chiang Mai city.
Wat Chiang Man wall decorations inside the temple.
Wat Chiang Man wall decorations inside the temple.
Elephants support the chedi of Wat Chiang Man.
Elephants support the chedi of Wat Chiang Man.
Buddha image at Wat Chiang Man.
Buddha image at Wat Chiang Man.

 

Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok (the flower garden temple) is located on the west side of the moat on Suthep road. This temple has a very large ordination hall.. Near this hall is an area with dozens of small white chedi, which contain the ashes of many of Chiang Mai’s Royal Family. The largest chedi contains a Buddha relic. As in most temple compounds also here you will find several Buddha trees (Bodhi tree), which is a symbol of enlightenment.

Small white chedi in Wat Suan Dok.
Small white chedi in Wat Suan Dok.
Chedi in Wat Suan Dok.
Chedi in Wat Suan Dok.
The Buddha tree or Bodhi tree is a symbol of enlightenment.
The Buddha tree or Bodhi tree is a symbol of enlightenment.

 

Wat Sri Suphan

Wat Sri Suphan is an old temple on Wua Lai road just south of the moat. In the area around the temple skilled craftsman are working on all kinds of decorative items of silverware. One of the temple buildings is decorated in shining silver as an example of their art and craftsmanship. Visit this temple on Saturday afternoon and then stay on to buy some handicrafts in the Saturday market when Wua lai Street is closed to traffic.

Ongoing work to decorate the ordination hall with silver artwork.
Ongoing work to decorate the ordination hall with silver artwork.
Decorations for the ordination hall of Wat Sri Suphan.
Decorations for the ordination hall of Wat Sri Suphan.
Wat Sri Suphan wall decorations.
Wat Sri Suphan wall decorations.
Wat Sri Suphan chedi.
Wat Sri Suphan chedi.

 

Wat Doisaket

Wat Doisaket is located on a small hill near the village of Doisaket at about 15 kilometers north-east of Chiang Mai on highway 118, which is the main road from Chiang Mai to Chiangrai.

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