Chiang Mai is a city of temples. More than 300 of them, around 30 inside the tiny Old City walls alone, from a golden shrine on a mountaintop to a vast earthquake-ruined chedi, a hall sheathed entirely in silver, and a moss-covered wat hidden in the jungle. They are not museum pieces; they are living, working temples, and they are the soul of the place. This guide is the map: the best temples by area and by type, the etiquette, and how to see them well.
This is the hub of our temples cluster. The deeper guides cover Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, an Old City temple walk, hidden and unusual temples, temple day-trips, Lanna culture and heritage, and the honest reality and etiquette of visiting.
The essential temples
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: The golden mountain temple, the city's icon, reached by a 306-step naga staircase. The one temple to see if you see only one.
- Wat Chedi Luang: A massive, partly ruined 15th-century chedi in the heart of the Old City, once home to the Emerald Buddha. Awe-inspiring.
- Wat Phra Singh: The most revered Old City temple, a masterpiece of Lanna architecture with its gilded Lai Kham viharn.
- Wat Chiang Man: The oldest temple in Chiang Mai, founded in 1296, with its elephant-buttressed chedi and crystal Buddha.
- Wat Umong: A 700-year-old forest temple with meditation tunnels and a serene, wooded setting.
- Wat Pha Lat: A hidden, mossy jungle temple on the Monk's Trail up Doi Suthep.
- Wat Sri Suphan: The Silver Temple, an ordination hall covered in silver and aluminium repoussé.
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham: A golden hilltop temple with a giant Buddha, hugely popular with Thai pilgrims.
The temples by area
| Area | Key temples |
|---|---|
| Old City | Chedi Luang, Phra Singh, Chiang Man, Phan Tao, Inthakhin |
| Doi Suthep mountain | Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat (Monk's Trail) |
| West / foothills | Wat Umong, Wat Suan Dok |
| Wualai (silver district) | Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) |
| Riverside / Tha Phae | Wat Ket Karam, Wat Bupparam, Wat Saen Fang |
| Outskirts / day trips | Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Wiang Kum Kam, Wat Ban Den |
A first-timer's temple day
- Early morning: a self-guided Old City temple walk, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phan Tao, while it is cool and quiet.
- Midday: rest, lunch, escape the heat.
- Afternoon: head up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for the late-afternoon light and views.
- Another day: the hidden temples (Wat Umong, Wat Pha Lat) and a day-trip temple.
Etiquette in brief
- Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees.
- Remove shoes before entering temple buildings.
- Don't point your feet at Buddha images; tuck them behind you when sitting.
- Women must not touch monks or hand things directly to them.
- Be quiet and respectful; these are active places of worship.
Full etiquette, fees, and how to avoid the temple scams are in our honest-reality and etiquette guide.
The deeper guides
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: the complete guide
- The Old City temple walk
- Hidden and unusual temples
- Temple day-trips from Chiang Mai
- Lanna culture and heritage
- The honest reality and temple etiquette
For meditating at the temples, see our meditation and temple retreats guide.
10 Must-Visit Temples in Chiang Mai 2026 - Beyond Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai has 289 temples (wats) in our database. That is more temples than cafes per square kilometer. You cannot - and should not - try to see them all. Here are the 10 that earn their place on your itinerary, ranked by visitor ratings and review volume.
1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Rating: 4.7 | 11,557 reviews | Doi Suthep mountain
The one temple everyone must see. Perched on Doi Suthep mountain overlooking the city, the golden chedi is the symbol of Chiang Mai. Climb the 309-step Naga staircase or take the funicular. The views from the terrace are stunning, especially at sunset.
Getting there: Shared songthaew from the zoo or Nimman (60-80 THB). Grab about 200 THB one-way.
Tip: Go late afternoon (4-5 PM) for golden light and sunset views. Mornings are less crowded but hazier.
View full details and reviews
2. Wat Chedi Luang
Rating: 4.7 | 17,652 reviews | Old City center
The most impressive ruin in the Old City. The massive chedi (originally 82 meters tall, partially collapsed in a 1545 earthquake) is breathtaking up close. It once housed the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok. The Monk Chat program (daily 9 AM-noon) lets you have a genuine conversation with monks - one of the most meaningful experiences in Chiang Mai.
Entry: 40 THB
View full details and reviews
3. Wat Phra Singh
Rating: 4.7 | 8,200 reviews | West Old City
The most revered temple in Chiang Mai. The Lai Kham chapel contains the Phra Singh Buddha and stunning 19th-century murals depicting Lanna life. The architecture is peak Lanna style. During Songkran, the Phra Singh image is paraded through the streets.
Entry: 40 THB
View full details and reviews
4. Wat Pa Dara Phirom
Rating: 4.8 | 3,907 reviews | Mae Rim
A royal temple that most tourists miss entirely. The grounds are immaculate - think manicured gardens, ancient trees, and Lanna architecture at its finest. Far less crowded than the Old City temples. Worth the 30-minute drive to Mae Rim.
5. Wat Lok Molee
Rating: 4.7 | 8,209 reviews | Old City (north)
Just inside the north wall of the Old City, this temple has one of the most photogenic chedis in the city. The large ancient chedi surrounded by smaller ones creates an incredible composition. Less touristy than Chedi Luang or Phra Singh despite being just as beautiful.
6. Brother of Doi Kum
Rating: 4.7 | 22,164 reviews
The most-reviewed temple in our database. A large complex south of the city with an enormous standing Buddha visible from miles away. Popular with Thai visitors for merit-making. The scale is impressive.
7. Wat Tanjan
Rating: 4.8 | 3,102 reviews
A beautifully maintained temple with stunning Lanna woodwork. Less visited by tourists, which makes it more peaceful for genuine contemplation.
8. Wat Umong (Tunnel Temple)
Rating: 4.5 | 5,000+ reviews | West of Old City
Underground tunnels with ancient faded murals and Buddha images. The forest setting feels miles from the city. A deer park, meditation areas, and a lake add to the experience. This is where you come for spiritual quiet, not grandeur.
9. Wat Si Don Mon
Rating: 4.8 | 992 reviews
A lesser-known gem with beautiful grounds and incredibly detailed woodcarvings. The kind of temple that rewards slow exploration.
10. Ganesha Hindu Temple
Rating: 4.9 | 352 reviews
Not technically a Buddhist wat, but the highest-rated religious site in our database. A colorful Hindu temple that stands out from the typical Lanna architecture. A reminder of Chiang Mai's multicultural heritage.
Temple Etiquette
- Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees. Carry a sarong or light shawl
- Shoes: Remove shoes before entering any building (ubosot, viharn)
- Feet: Never point your feet toward a Buddha image or monk
- Women: Do not touch or hand anything directly to monks
- Photos: Ask before photographing monks or people praying
- Donations: A 20-40 THB donation is appreciated at free temples
Suggested Temple Routes
Old City Half-Day (3 hours): Wat Chedi Luang (Monk Chat) - Wat Phra Singh - Wat Lok Molee. All walkable within the Old City.
Full Day with Doi Suthep: Morning in Old City temples, afternoon at Doi Suthep for sunset.
Off the Beaten Path: Wat Umong + Wat Pa Dara Phirom (Mae Rim). Need transport but worth it for peace and beauty.
Browse all 289 temples in our database
The Old City temple walk in Chiang Mai: a self-guided route
Within the moat and crumbling walls of Chiang Mai's Old City, a square barely a mile and a half across, sit around thirty temples, and among them are the city's greatest: a ruined chedi that was once the tallest building in the kingdom, the most revered hall of Lanna art, the oldest temple of all, and a jewel-box hall built entirely of teak. Best of all, you can walk between them. This guide is a self-guided route through the Old City's finest temples.
For the wider scene, see our temples hub.
The route
A logical half-to-full-day loop, best started early from the Tha Phae (east) side:
- Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang (central): start at the all-teak Phan Tao, then the giant ruined chedi next door.
- Wat Phra Singh (west end of Ratchadamnoen): the most revered, with its gilded Lai Kham hall.
- Wat Chiang Man (northeast): the oldest temple, with its elephant chedi.
- Smaller gems along the way: Wat Inthakhin and the many neighbourhood wat you pass.
Wat Chedi Luang: the ruined giant
The centrepiece of the Old City. Begun in the 14th century, its brick chedi rose to be the tallest structure in the old kingdom and once housed the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok). A 16th-century earthquake toppled its upper portion, leaving the dramatic, weathered silhouette you see today. The grounds also hold the revered city pillar shrine and run a daily monk chat where you can talk with a monk. Awe-inspiring and central.
Wat Phra Singh: the masterpiece
The most venerated temple in Chiang Mai and a high point of Lanna architecture. Seek out the Wihan Lai Kham, a small, exquisite gilded-and-teak hall housing the Phra Singh Buddha and superb murals of old northern life. A busy, active royal temple and a showcase of northern craftsmanship.
Wat Chiang Man: the oldest
Founded in 1296 by King Mangrai, the city's founder, who lived here while Chiang Mai was being built, this is the oldest temple in the city. Its chedi is buttressed by rows of stone elephants, and it holds two ancient, revered Buddha images, the Crystal and Marble Buddhas. Peaceful and deeply historic.
Wat Phan Tao: the teak jewel
Tucked beside Chedi Luang, this small temple's assembly hall is built entirely of dark teak panels, once a royal residence, with a gilded peacock crest over the door and a warm, candle-lit calm inside. During Yi Peng, its lantern-and-candle displays are among the most beautiful in the city.
Practical tips
- Start early (7am to 8am) for cool air and quiet temples.
- Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and wear slip-on shoes; you remove them at each building.
- Carry small cash for donation boxes; most temples are free.
- Bring water and pace yourself; rest over lunch in the midday heat.
- Be respectful: quiet voices, no feet pointed at Buddha images, women don't touch monks.
The bottom line
The Old City temple walk is the best free half-day in Chiang Mai, four of Thailand's finest temples and a dozen smaller ones within an easy stroll. Go early, go respectfully, and let the old capital reveal itself. Continue with our Doi Suthep guide, hidden temples, and the etiquette guide.
Temple etiquette and the honest reality of visiting temples in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's temples are wonderful, and a few practical truths make visiting them better: knowing the dress code and the etiquette that genuinely matters, the small fees, the persistent scam that targets temple-goers, and how to enjoy a handful of standout temples without succumbing to temple fatigue. This is the honest, practical guide to doing it right and respectfully.
For where to go, see our temples hub and the guides to Doi Suthep, the Old City walk, and hidden temples.
The dress code
Cover shoulders and knees, everyone, every temple: no shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, vests, or tight clothing. Wear shoes you can slip off easily, since you remove them before entering temple buildings. Major temples may lend a sarong or shawl if you are underdressed, but come prepared. Modest, breathable clothing is both respectful and comfortable in the heat.
The etiquette that matters
- Remove shoes before entering any temple building.
- Never point your feet at Buddha images or monks; tuck them behind you when sitting, and keep your head lower than the Buddha and monks where you can.
- Women must not touch a monk or hand anything directly to one; place items down or use an intermediary.
- Do not climb on or turn your back to Buddha images for photos.
- Remove hats and sunglasses inside, keep your voice low, and switch your phone to silent.
- Give a small donation at temples where you spend time.
The temple scam to know
The classic Chiang Mai temple scam: near a famous temple, a friendly tuk-tuk driver or stranger tells you it is "closed" (for a ceremony, cleaning, a holiday) and offers to take you to other sights instead. The detour leads to a gem, jewellery, or tailor shop where you are hard-sold overpriced or fake goods, with the driver earning commission. The fix is simple:
- Temples are essentially never closed to visitors during the day. Walk up and check yourself.
- Ignore anyone who approaches you with this story or a too-good tuk-tuk deal.
- Never let a driver take you to gem, jewellery, or tailor shops "on the way," and never buy gems as an investment.
- Use Grab or agreed-price transport and set your own itinerary.
See our scams guide for the full picture.
Fees, honestly
Most temples are free or ask a small donation. The main paid one is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (around 30 to 50 baht), plus a few special areas or shows. Carry small cash for donation boxes and the occasional fee, and give something where you linger; it funds upkeep and the monastic community.
Worth it vs skippable
Worth it: Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Umong, Wat Pha Lat, the Silver Temple, and Wat Suan Dok at sunset, each genuinely distinct.
No need to cram: after several temples, smaller neighbourhood wat blur together. There is no prize for seeing all 300. Choose distinctive temples (a mountain, a ruin, a forest, a silver hall) and stop before fatigue sets in.
Avoiding temple fatigue
- See a curated handful, not every wat.
- Spread visits across your trip rather than cramming them into one day.
- Go early, when it is cool, quiet, and atmospheric.
- Mix it up: alternate temples with food, cafes, and nature.
Photography
Photos are generally welcome in temple grounds and many interiors, but be respectful: no flash near murals or where prohibited, never pose disrespectfully with or climb on Buddha images, do not turn your back to a Buddha for a selfie, ask before photographing monks, never interrupt worship, and obey no-photography signs.
The bottom line
Dress modestly, learn the few etiquette rules that matter, ignore the "temple closed" touts, give a small donation, and savour a handful of standout temples rather than racing through dozens. Do that and Chiang Mai's temples are among the most rewarding sights in Asia. Start with the temples hub.