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Best Attractions in Chiang Mai (2026)

Chiang Mai's sights are dominated by temples, and most of the important ones lie inside or close to the square moat of the Old City. Wat Chiang Man, built by King Mangrai in 1297, is the place to begin, followed by Wat Chedi Luang with its huge ruined chedi and Wat Phra Singh with its painted Viharn Lai Kham. All three can be visited on foot in a morning, and the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre nearby explains the history of the city and the Lanna kingdom across 15 galleries.

Outside the walls, Wat Suan Dok is known for its white royal mausoleums, Wat Umong for its forest setting and tunnels, and Wat Sri Suphan for its silver ordination hall on Wualai Road. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, on the mountain above the city, is best visited early in the morning and pairs naturally with the gardens of Bhubing Palace further up the same road, though the palace closes when the royal family is in residence. MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in San Kamphaeng makes a good change from temples. Dress modestly at every temple, with shoulders and knees covered, and carry water, as the heat builds quickly in the middle of the day.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Chiang Mai

  1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Buddhist temple, Doi SuthepHilltop Lanna temple about 15 km from the city, with a gilded 24-metre chedi, a long naga staircase and wide views over Chiang Mai.
  2. Wat Chedi Luang Buddhist temple and ruined chedi, Old CityOld City temple built around a vast 15th-century brick chedi that once held the Emerald Buddha and still shelters Chiang Mai's city pillar.
  3. Wat Phra Singh Royal Buddhist temple, Old CityFirst-grade royal temple in the western Old City, founded in 1345 and home to the Phra Buddha Sihing image and the painted Viharn Lai Kham.

Attraction

2. Wat Chedi Luang

Buddhist temple and ruined chediOld City

Old City temple built around a vast 15th-century brick chedi that once held the Emerald Buddha and still shelters Chiang Mai's city pillar.

View details — Wat Chedi Luang

Attraction

3. Wat Phra Singh

Royal Buddhist templeOld City

First-grade royal temple in the western Old City, founded in 1345 and home to the Phra Buddha Sihing image and the painted Viharn Lai Kham.

View details — Wat Phra Singh

Attraction

5. Wat Umong

Forest temple with tunnelsSuthep

Wooded temple at the foot of Doi Suthep with centuries-old brick tunnels beneath its chedi, a lake and a long tradition of meditation teaching.

View details — Wat Umong

Attraction

6. Wat Suan Dok

Buddhist temple and royal cemeterySuthep Road

Fourteenth-century temple on Suthep Road with a 48-metre Sri Lankan-style chedi and rows of white mausoleums holding the ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family.

View details — Wat Suan Dok

Attraction

7. Wat Sri Suphan

Buddhist temple (Silver Temple)Wualai

The Silver Temple on Wualai Road, whose ordination hall is clad in silver, nickel and aluminium panels made in the surrounding silversmith quarter.

View details — Wat Sri Suphan