Chiang Mai is located in Northern Thailand, and is a mecca for Digital Nomads and Culture Seeking Tourists from around the world. The reason is easy to see and simple to understand. Especially when you witness just how many beautiful temples exist in this ancient city in the mountains. For first time visitors though, it can be daunting, without knowing where to start, and how to narrow down which temples to see and visit. Which is exactly where my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary comes in!
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In this Chiang Mai Temples itinerary, I have put together a 3 day, “must-see” list of temples around Chiang Mai, and how you can see them all in a limited time. It is almost exactly how I did it myself, with a couple of variations made that I learnt along the way, basically making it the way I WOULD have done it. IF I had known before I started.
As with most of my itineraries, this can be customized as per your requirements, and although it will work perfectly as is, you can change it to suit your circumstances. For example, if you are staying on the opposite side of town to my starting point, then change it up and start at the end and work backward. There is no right or wrong way. These are the best temples and places to see in Chiang Mai, no matter how you get there!
The first day of my itinerary will get you to most of the best temples in Chiang Mai. There are a lot however, and at the end I will list a few extra that are worth seeing. If you have extra time, you can add them to the list, or onto your itinerary.
I will also add a few extra activities at the end of this Itinerary, so that if you have extra days, you can have a choice of what to do and see.
This Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary can be read perfectly in conjunction with my Complete Guide to Chiang Mai, that you can read at THIS LINK. It is also best done over a weekend, with Day #1 falling on a Friday, as we will be incorporating the weekend night markets into the Itinerary.
Table of Contents
- How many temples are in Chiang Mai?
- Can you walk around Chiang Mai?
- Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #1
- Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #2
- Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #3
- Extra Days
- Where to stay in Chiang Mai
- Summary
How many temples are in Chiang Mai?
There are over 300 temples in the city of Chiang Mai. Temples are known as Wats, and although the largest concentration of them are located within the Old City, they can also be found scattered around the surrounding city and countryside. Some are also located on the surrounding hilltops, the most famous being Wat Doi Suthep.
Chiang Mai is home to more temples than any other region of Thailand. Even though Bangkok has some very famous temples, many of which are even featured on the Baht Coins, Chiang Mai has it beat for sheer numbers. It is no wonder that Chiang Mai is so popular for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in Thai Culture.
Can you walk around Chiang Mai?
Yes, and no.
You can certainly walk around the Old City of Chiang Mai. This is exactly where my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary comes in. The Old City is only 2 square kilometers, and you can cover most of it in under two hours.
Walking around the Old City is easy. It is flat, and the streets are, for the most part, very pedestrian friendly. It is also for this reason that the night markets work so wonderfully here!
In my Chang Mai Temples Itinerary, the first day is easily done on foot. Beyond that, you may need to look at some public transport, as the other parts of the city begin to spread out a lot more. You will need some form of transport to move around. Once again, you can find out more in my Complete Guide to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #1
Day #1 on my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is all about walking. So get your comfy walking shoes on! You are going to need them.
Now that I have said that, I will also reiterate that Chiang Mai is easy to walk around. Take a look at the Google Maps Screenshot below of today’s route, and you will see that it takes less than 90 minutes total walking time. That isn’t much when you consider that we will be going to every point of the Old City.
Along this route today, I have designated stops at the the main temples that I consider the best in Chiang Mai Old City to see. There are many, many more however, and if you pass by any that you would like to see closer, then feel free to stop. You can pretty much just wander into the temple grounds of any temples in Chiang Mai. Just remember to behave appropriately and respectfully.
The time frame in this itinerary has plenty of leeway. On the day that I did this walk, it was extremely hot, and we must have stopped about 4 or 5 times in coffee shops for breaks. So there is plenty of room to take your time, stop at more temples along the way, spend extra time AT temples, or do like we did and take a heap of breaks.
Wat Suan Dok
We will start this tour off at Wat Suan Dok. Click HERE for a Google Maps location.
This temple is very different to many of the temples that you will see today. It has a very large 48 meter tall golden Chedi that can be seen from some distance away. The name itself means Flower Garden, as it was once the site of the gardens belonging to an ancient 14th Century Ruler in Chiang Mai.
The over riding impression of Wat Suan Dok is the amount of small white “Chedi’s” that seem to be populated off to one side of the main Golden Chedi. These whitewashed structures are actually mausoleums containing the ashes of many generations of the Chiang Mai Royal Family.
The other thing that Wat Suan Dok is famous for is its Buddhist University. Many Monks will come to Wat Suan Dok to study and learn. It is also open to outsiders who are interested in attending their Meditation Retreat, or participating in the Monk Chat Program.
Take a wander around the impressive structures here, before heading out onto the main road and heading East. It is quite a walk to your next stop, but this is also the longest walk you will have. If the day is hot, then by all means hail a Tuk Tuk or taxi!
Wat Phra Singh
Next stop on my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is Wat Phra Singh. Find a Google Maps Location HERE.
You will approach Wat Phra Singh from the West, though the main entrance is on the East. It is arguably the most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai, and is one that you will see plenty of times during your stay. The temple is located right at the very end of the main street of the Old City, and faces directly down the road itself.
As soon as you enter this incredible complex, you will see why it is so popular. Immediately you will be struck with how ornately decorated the structures are in here, and you will probably linger a while at the gate taking photos. The main attraction is toward the rear of the Temple though, where you will find the large Golden Chedi and Ubosot.
Take a wander around past the Chedi and you will find a few smaller buildings that we lingered around for quite a while. There is a school here for young children learning Buddhism, and on our last visit they were doing a class at the rear of the Chedi. We watched for a long time, impressed by their enthusiasm and obvious love for the religion. They then took to the long line of bells and began to ring them loudly as we looked on. It is something I will always remember.
Once you are finished at Wat Phra Singh, exit via the main gate and turn right. The next walk isn’t quite as long, but you WILL be exiting the Old City once again, if only for a short time.
Wat Sri Suphan
The Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary will take you now to Wat Sri Suphan. This is a unique temple that is a favorite and “must see” for any visitor to Chiang Mai.
Click HERE for an easy Google Maps location.
The over riding attraction of Wat Sri Suphan is the Silver Color of the temple. Located south of the Old City, it can be found in the district known for its Silversmiths. It was the local craftsmen that decorated the entire surface of the temple, giving it that distinctive appearance.
Wat Sri Suphan is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, having been constructed around the 14th Century. Despite this, it is not as well known as the other, bigger temples within the old city or on the hills, and doesn’t see as many visitors. This is changing now that the “Silver Temple” is becoming a lot more popular.
One thing not to miss at Wat Sri Suphan is the great Monk Chat program. Run by a monk named Dhamma, he dedicates most of his day chatting to visitors who are interested in learning about life as a monk, Buddhism and Meditation. We spent a couple of hours chatting with him, and it was an amazing experience. You can read about the Monk Chat Program HERE.
Once you are finished at Wat Sri Suphan, exit via the main gate and veer off to the right where you will follow the road back to the Old City once again.
Wat Chedi Luang
Next up on the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary we are heading toward Wat Chedi Luang. Along the way, you will pass by a couple of beautiful and unique temples that are worth dropping by and checking out. On our last trip, we discovered Wat Jet Lin, and spent some time in there wandering around.
It is an older temple, with its own distinctive characteristics. Take a stroll beyond the main structures and Chedi however, and you will find some things that are unique to Wat Jet Lin. Several artifacts can be found in different places, and a large lily pad pond with bamboo bridge and coffee shop. Something you will not normally find in a Thai Temple Complex. Wat Jet Lin can be found HERE.
Further up the road from Wat Jet Lin, at THIS Google Maps Location, you will come to the massive Wat Chedi Luang. This Temple is basically the centerpiece for Chiang Mai, and also for this Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary!
We spent so much time at Wat Chedi Luang that it isn’t funny. Not only is it a wonderful place to visit, but being right in the middle of Chiang Mai, we just kept walking past it. Every time, we called in and took a stroll around. It is an amazing place, something that you will soon discover for yourself.
Like many other temples in Chiang Mai, you have to continue in past several other structures at Wat Chedi Luang to find what it is all about. This is because the main Chedi is located to the rear, and is something NOT to be missed if you visit Chiang Mai.
Luang means “large” in Thai, and once you see the main Chedi here with your own eyes, you will understand how it got its name. The Chedi is massive, at 98 meters tall and 54 meters diameter at the base. It was partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1545, and you can still see some of the damage to this day. This only adds to the character of this incredible structure.
I have lost count of how many times I have walked around the base of the Chedi at Wat Chedi Luang, and having done so I managed to discover several things that I would not have known about otherwise.
Firstly, to the rear and off to the left is a really nice little coffee shop. Stop by there and relax with the monks who are usually enjoying a break as well. Next, directly behind the Chedi, is a golden sleeping Buddha. It is inside its own structure, and very beautiful, so worth checking out. Off to the right of the Chedi can be found another Monk University, and underneath the big trees is located another Monk Chat designated area with a few large tables.
Around the Chedi are a dozen or so really nice local eateries. The food is wonderful, especially the beef and chicken balls on sate skewers!
Exit Wat Chedi Luang via the main gate once again and turn left, continuing north once more.
Three Kings Monument and Wat Chiang Man
The next stop along the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is not actually a temple. You will pass by a large square just up the road from Wat Chedi Luang, that houses the most important statue in the city, at THIS location.
This is the Three Kings Monument, something that is very significant to the people of the city. In fact, you will often see several locals at the monument paying homage to the three kings that founded the city of Chiang Mai. The statue is constructed of bronze, and is located in front of the Chiang Mai Cultural Center.
Just North East of the Monument, your next stop will be Wat Chiang Man. This temple is believed to be the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, having been built in 1297. The site that it stands on was the location of the camp of King Mangrai when he was constructing his new capital city of Chiang Mai.
Although the temple is beautiful, as all temples are in Chiang Mai, this is maybe one of the less impressive that you will have visited today. Wat Chiang Man does, however, have something that no other temple has, and that is a couple of very famous Buddha Statues.
In the Viharn (shrine) on the right side as you enter, you will find both Buddhas. The first is Phra Setangamani (Crystal Buddha) which is about 1800 years old, and the second is Phra SiLa (Marble Buddha) which is about 2500 years old.
If this doesn’t make Wat Chiang Man worth visiting, nothing is!
Click HERE for a Google Maps location for Wat Chiang Man.
Tha Phae Gate
Although Tha Phae Gate is not exactly in the middle of the city, it still acts sort of like a City Square. This is like the central hub of the city of Chiang Mai. It can be found easily at THIS location on Google Maps.
The Gate itself is the preserved and partly reconstructed original main gate of the city. The city itself once had 5 gates on its 4 sides. Tha Phae Gate was the major gate for traders, monks and diplomats that came to visit the city. To this day, it is still considered the main entryway to Chiang Mai Old City.
All around the gate you will find market stalls, cafes, and boutique shops and restaurants. There are street performers, depending upon what time of day you are there, and iconic photo spots. This is a spot that you will find yourself coming back to several times during your stay in Chiang Mai, especially if you are here for the Sunday Night Markets.
Well, that’s it for day #1 of the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary. From Tha Phae Gate, you can easily catch a Tuk Tuk or public transport back to your accommodation, or walk if it is close enough. If you are still keen for more walking, it is also not too far down to Changklan Road, where there are a lot of markets late in the afternoon and early evening every night of the week. It is also a good hub for backpackers, with many massage places and cheap bars around.
Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #2
Day #2 of the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary isn’t a very big one, but you will see two of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai. Along with some of the best views!
Because it is not a very big day, you can customize it as you like. Therefore you can add in stops along the way, or only spend half a day doing the Itinerary, and fill in the afternoon with other activities. Depending upon what part of the week you are in Chiang Mai, it may determine what activities are available.
Now, when I personally did this part of the Itinerary, I hired a scooter. Therefore we DID have quite a bit of extra time on our hands. You don’t HAVE to hire a scooter, but I really recommend it, if you have your International Driver’s Permit with you and are confident enough to ride. I found Chiang Mai very easy to ride around – a lot easier than at home in Bali.
If not, then you will need to utilize public transport, Grab, Taxi’s or even Tuk Tuk’s to get you around today. Because we are heading up into the hills!
Wat Doi Suthep
The first place that you will be heading on Day #2 of the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is the very famous Wat Doi Suthep. Set your GPS for THIS Google Maps location.
If you are on a scooter, getting to Wat Doi Suthep is easy. Just head past Bali Zoo and keep riding up the hill. You can’t miss the temple on your right. Or else just follow the rest of the traffic!
If you don’t have a scooter, then you have options. Many people simply take a taxi, especially if there are several of you. Similarly, a Grab Car works just the same. Otherwise, consider getting a ride to the University at THIS location, where you can catch a Songthaew. This is one of the small red buses that you will see around Chiang Mai. They leave from outside the University regularly for Wat Doi Suthep.
Wat Doi Suthep is the most important temple in Chiang Mai, a fact that will be obvious when you see just how many people visit it. There are several very important Buddhist relics enshrined within the temple, making it an important pilgrimage for many.
When you arrive, you will have the option to travel up to the temple via Cable Car, or walk up the long flight of stairs. Walking is worth the effort as the staircase itself if very picturesque and features a seven headed serpent on either side at the foot of the stairs themselves. Note that though the Cable Car is not expensive, it is also totally enclosed, so don’t expect a view. It is a great option for those with mobility issues.
The temple itself is beautiful, and the Chedi, plus the surrounds have so much Gold that you almost need your sunglasses! Around the outsides of the Temple you can really get some great views of Chiang Mai as well, so don’t forget your camera.
If you are in the mood for exercise, there are some great options around the temple surrounds for hiking, with many trails around the hills. You can even hike UP to the temple from Chiang Mai, following the old Monk’s Trail if you are really up for a challenge.
Bhubing Palace
Next up in the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is Bhubing Palace. It is just a bit further up the road from Wat Doi Suthep, and can easily be found at THIS location.
This is a place that is missed by most tourists and visitors to the area, but when you are already so close, it would be a pity to miss it. The Palace is only an extra 5 minutes up the road if you are on a scooter, or else you can ask your songthaew or taxi to take you up.
Bhubing Palace was built in 1961 at the order of the King, to act as his residence when he was visiting Chiang Mai. It is also used by diplomats and other important visitors on occasion. The Palace grounds are open to visitors daily, and feature beautiful gardens that are a pleasure to walk around. Being at an altitude, they are quite cool, but I certainly worked up a sweat trekking up and down some of the pathways past the Rose Gardens, Pagoda’s and lake that the grounds feature. It is sort of like a mini Botanic Gardens.
Wat Phrathat Doi Kham
Ok. So the next stop on the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary is a bit harder to get to than the rest. Once again, if you are on a scooter, it will be easy. Just set your GPS for THIS location. It will probably take you about 45 to 50 minutes to ride, even though Geographically it is quite close.
For those that didn’t hire a scooter, catch the Songthaew back down the hill to the University, and then hail a Taxi. This is probably the easiest way to get there that I know of. From THIS location, you can actually hike up the hill to the foot of the Naga Staircase, and climb up to the temple. You will have to make your own way to the carpark, and the beginning of the hike though.
Wat Phrathat Doi Kham is located on another hilltop nearby, and is the Temple that you can see really easily from most of the areas around Chiang Mai. If you flew into Chiang Mai airport, you probably saw it from the plane window, and can definitely see it from the airport.
The name of this temple literally means “The Golden Mountain” and you can almost understand why when you visit the temple. There is gold everywhere! This is surprising as, aside from local worshippers, the temple is not really visited by many outsiders. Perhaps this is just due to the fact it is not that easy to get to.
Wat Phrathat Doi Kham has existed from as far back as the year 687, when the original Chedi was constructed. It is said to contain a relic of the Buddha, which is what makes it so important to the Buddhist faithful.
For visitors, there is plenty to see and marvel at. There are several very large Buddha statues, one sitting, one standing, and one sleeping. The standing Buddha can be seen for miles around, and the sitting Buddha Image is a massive 17 meters tall.
The rest of your day
If you have any extra time at the end of the day, then there are a few things that you can consider. This will really only be relevant if you hired a scooter, as you will have moved around a lot faster than if you used taxi’s etc.
You will have passed by the Chiang Mai Zoo on the way to Wat Doi Suthep, and is worth back tracking to spend a few hours there if you like.
If not, there is the option to head back to the Old City and do some more exploring. When in Chiang Mai, I really enjoy just wandering the streets and discovering smaller, hidden Wat’s around the streets that I have not seen before.
If you are in Chiang Mai on a Weekend, though, then get ready for the Saturday and Sunday night walking markets. They are a highlight for any visitor to Chiang Mai. In fact, on my first visit to the city, I extended my stay just so that I could visit them, and am so glad I did! Now, I will not go to Chiang Mai unless I am there on a weekend. You can read more about them HERE.
Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary Day #3
Welcome to Day #3 of the Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary! Today, technically, we will NOT be in Chiang Mai.
This is because we are going to take a day tour out to nearby sister city, Chiang Rai.
Now, before you say anything about this being a CHIANG MAI Temples Itinerary, let me assure you of one thing. These temples are worth seeing! You have already seen the very best of what Chiang Mai has to offer, and I firmly believe that the day trip out to Chiang Rai is unmissable. Especially if you are interested in seeing some amazing temples!
I have done an entire article review of the day trip that I recommend to Chiang Rai. Click the link below to find out all about it, and what you will be doing on Day #3 of your Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary.
Extra Days
If you have extra days in Chiang Mai, then there are certainly plenty of things to do. The first time that I was there, I booked for 4 nights and ended up staying for 7.
The one thing that I love about the Old City of Chiang Mai is just how walkable it is. Every day, we would take the opportunity to just wander down streets we had not been down before, and see what we discover. There are so many hidden coffee shops, temples and restaurants that you would never know existed, unless you went exploring.
For this reason, I recommend that if you have a spare day, just go walking. Who knows what you might find.
If you have a scooter, or a way to get around, then head out to the Sticky Waterfall. This is always a hit with visitors to Chiang Mai, and certainly something fun to fill in some time. There is also the option of a tour that will take you there. Click HERE for more information.
If you haven’t had a chance to attend a Monk Chat yet, then get along to one. I loved this activity in Chiang Mai, and can’t wait to do it again. The best places are Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Sri Suphan.
Do a Daytrip. There are some great Daytrips from Chiang Mai that are really worth doing. You will have already seen the temples at Chiang Rai, and if you haven’t, then that is still an option. Otherwise, scroll onto the next section to see some great daytrips from Chiang Mai.
Day Trips from Chiang Mai
There are quite a few great daytrips that you can do from Chiang Mai. Being in a mountainous area, there is plenty to see and do around that you won’t find elsewhere in Thailand. Plus, being so close to the borders of Myanmar and Laos creates some unique opportunities.
Try a trip up to the Doi Inthanon National Park. Here, you will visit the highest point in Thailand, as well as some of the local Hill Tribes. You will even see a couple of great waterfalls along the way!
A variation on the Chiang Rai Daytrip, is to do a trip to see just the White Temple, and then continue on to the infamous Golden Triangle. This is the point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the confluence of two rivers. It was once a very popular spot for smugglers, but is now more frequented by tourists. Enjoy the outlook, where you can see 3 countries from one point, then take a ride down the famous river and have lunch on the border.
Visit the Ethical Elephant Sanctuary. Here, you can really get up close and personal with elephants that have been rescued by the Sanctuary, given a home and cared for. Learn all about how they protect the elephants, and watch as they bath in the river, before you get to feed them, and have your own lunch included. This is one of the most popular daytrips for visitors to Chiang Mai.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
There are quite a few different areas to stay around Chiang Mai. For information about each of them, check out my Complete Guide to Chiang Mai at THIS link.
To do my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary, however, I really recommend staying in the Old City. You will not really find any high end luxury accommodation in this part of town, but if you want to be local, and are planning to walk around and discover, it is the best option. I always stay in the Old City for this very reason!
Here are some great choices of places to stay in Chiang Mai Old City.
Tamarind Village, Chiang Mai
As I already pointed out, there is not much Luxury accommodation in the Old City, but Tamarind Village is as close as you will get. Rated 4 stars, it will not disappoint, especially for its great location. You will find it about halfway between Tha Phae Gate and Wat Chedi Luang. Therefore Day #1 of my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary can be done completely in reverse, or you can catch Tuk Tuk to the start, and finish at your Hotel!
The Wing Lanna
I have stayed at the Wing Lanna myself, and loved it so much that I actually extended. It isn’t too expensive and is in a great location, only a 7 minute walk from both Wat Sri Suphan, and Wat Phra Singh. It is well positioned to get to the start point of this Chiang Mai Temple Itinerary easily as well.
The Green Sleep Hostel
If you are searching for budget accommodation, then you can’t go past the highly rated Green Sleep Hostel. This little beauty cannot get any more centrally located, being right near Wat Phra Singh, and having the Sunday Night Markets right on the doorstep!
Summary
So that’s it for my Chiang Mai Temples Itinerary. I hope you now know a bit more about how to get around and see the best temples that Chiang Mai has to offer. I really recommend every single Temple on this list, and the Day Trip to Chiang Rai was a highlight of my trip to Chiang Mai!
Did this article help you? Then please drop me a comment below to let me know!
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