Exceptional Temples You Must Explore in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a graceful and holy city of Thailand. The city is famous for its elaborate

and ornate temples. Chiang Mai literally means “new city”. It is a cultural hub of

Northern Thailand with more than 100 temples across the city. There are several well

known Buddhism temples here that one can explore. We bring you the most beautiful

and elaborate temples of Chiang Mai that one should explore in lifetime. For the best

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Wat Chedi Luang

This Buddhist temple used to be the tallest building of its time. Originally made up of

three temples, this holy place attracts lots of visitors due to its large assembly hall.

There is a statue of standing Buddha in this hall. The holy place is famous for the city

pillar, which is also called as the spirit of the city. There is a Dipterocarp Tree that is

known to protect the city.

Wat SuanDok

Popularly known as the Flower Garden Temple, this temple finds its origin in the late

14th century. At that time, it was flower garden of the king. This royal garden was made

only for the monks. In this temple, there is an old statue of Lord Buddha that is very

famous for its magical remains.

Wat Phra Singh

Built roughly around the 14th century, Wat Phra Singh is called as the Temple of Lion

Buddha. It is an important heritage site of Thailand and a famous monastery that is

home to 700 monks. The temple treasures the statue of the magnificent Lion Buddha

and a small library made of stone is there to protect the precious manuscripts.

Wat U-Mong

Wat U-Mong is a unique site of the city, which is built very differently as compared to the

other Buddhist temples. It is located inside a hill in a maze like structure positioned at

the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. As the legend says, the temple was specially

built for an admired monk who was mentally sick. The tunnels and maze like structure

kept him from strolling away.

Wat Bupparam

This sacred site enjoys strong historical and cultural significance and is one of the most

visited temples of the city. The architecture and embellishments signify Burmese

influence. The temple accepts donations from everyone who visits. Pictures of religious

art and old traditions are drawn on the walls of the temple and can be easily interpreted

by the visitors.

Wat Chedi Liam

Built in the year 1287, Wat Chedi Liam is made up of white stone. It is very famous for

its pyramid like structure and is a residence of many monks. The architecture is purely

Burmese in style. The outward facing lions in each corner welcomes every visitor.

Wat Pan Tao

Wat Pan Tao was once a throne cum residence to the then king of Chiang Mai. The

temple is pure wooden structure. The temple is simple yet appealing due to its teak

panels, which are supported by a stone base. It is one of the unique temples and

definitely a must visit!

Wat Jet Yot

This building is one of the most important and historically significant sites of Chiang Mai.

The temple was specially built for the eighth World Buddhist Council in 1477. The walls

are beautifully decorated with Buddhist angels and spirits. The seven spires depict the

seven weeks of Buddha’s enlightenment.

Wat Pha Lat

It is a small Buddhist monastery carefully hidden in a forest land. Wat Pha Lat is also

known as the secret or the lost temple. This magical place can only be reached via

hiking. A visit to this hidden temple will definitely give you an ancient Buddhism

experience.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Named after the mountain where it is located, this temple signifies both Buddhism and

Hinduism culture. Along with the statue of emerald Buddha, a statue of lord Ganesh is

also been placed within the temple. The temple is famous for its impressive Naga

decorations.

Wat Aranyawiwake

Popularly known as the Wat Ban Pong, it is a monastery belonging to the Theravada

lineage of Buddhism. The entire Wat consists of many smaller shrines. One gets to see

ancient furniture and traditional paintings of dragons. In a nutshell, the temple is a

masterpiece of Buddhism culture.

Wat Lok Moli

Also known as Wat LokMolee, Wat Lok Moli temple is a simple, calm and impressive

site in Northern Thailand. The origin of the temple is unknown but it was mentioned for

the first time in 1367 CE. It is believed that King Kuena built this temple to

accommodate 10 Buddhist monks who were invited to spread their teachings.