Top places to visit in Chiang Mai — 19+ most famous, beautiful, must-go & best places to visit in Chiang Mai

The main and top attractions of Chiang Mai are ancient temples and bold Lana architecture with curved wooden roofs on the top, sophisticated carvings inside, many gilded antiques, precious gold Buddha statues. Chiang Mai city is therefore beautiful, peaceful and extremely sacred. Not only that, Chiang Mai also owns many beautiful natural landscapes, wildlife sanctuaries, shopping malls and traditional art studios that attract many tourists. It can be said that the abundance of a trip in Chiang Mai will make you go from surprise to surprise.

So, where to go in Chiang Mai and where should I go in Chiang Mai? Let’s check it out our suggested top places to visit in Chiang Mai including top 10 places to visit in Chiang Mai, best places to go in Chiang Mai, best places to visit in Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai best places to visit), must visit places in Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai must visit), interesting places to visit in Chiang Mai, most beautiful places in Chiang Mai, must go places in Chiang Mai, must see places in Chiang Mai, top things to see in Chiang Mai to find out the answer!

Best places to go in Chiang Mai: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple

With more than 600 years of history, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple is located on the top of Doi Suthep hill and is considered by the residents of Chiang Mai to be the home of the spirits of their ancestors. So Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep became the most sacred place. To reach the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple you have to go through 309 high stone steps of the road with two majestic dragon heads on both sides.

The road to the temple is also very beautiful for walking while sightseeing on both sides, the higher you go, the more beautiful the scene when you looking down with the blurry, virtual scenery. If you can’t walk, you can choose the cable car for 20 baht ($0.65) (operates from 6AM – 6PM). If you want the best view, you should go early in the morning!

The temple grounds have a bright, sparkling gilded stupa that you can see from afar. That is also the most beautiful highlight of Phra That Doi Suthep Pagoda.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Address: 9 Moo 9, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Doi Suthep 50200, Thailand
Hours: 5AM–9PM
Elevation: 1,050 m (3,445 ft)
Phone: +66 53 295 003

Best places to visit in Chiang Mai: Wat Umong Temple (Tunnel temple)

This is the oldest temple in Thailand with more than 700 years of age, associated with national history. That’s why Umong has an ancient beauty with moss, cracks, rust due to weather and crumbling. All exude the sacred beauty and longevity with the time of the temple. That is also the reason that you can not miss Umong temple during this trip to Chiang Mai.

The temple gate is guarded by ancient trees and two ancient statues, preventing the dark forces from entering. Inside the temple yard is a lake with fish and turtles. The highlight of Umong is the domed maze tunnel system built in the late 14th century with fired bricks. On the top of the tunnel, there is a stupa, in the main hall there are Buddha statues with many different shapes. If you want to learn about the formation and development history of Buddhism in Thailand, the collection of antiques and documents in the tunnel is a great answer.

Wat Umong Temple
Address: 135 Moo 10, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone: +66 85 033 3809
Hours: 8AM – 5PM

Chiang Mai best places to visit: Wat Chedi Luang

Built in 1391 and completed in 1475, it becomes a sacred treasure of Thailand. King Tilokarat brought Emerald Buddha here, making the temple more majestic and attracting Buddhists.

Today, Chedi Luang has become a sacred temple, the spiritual pillar of Chiang Mai city. Every year, at the Chedi Luang temple, the Inthakhin Seasonal Festival takes place, lasting 7 days in May or June. The meaning of this festival is to pray for good rain for good crops and people’s well-being, fullness.

The highlight of Chedi Luang is a giant ancient gum tree (dipterocarp) in front of the entrance gate to the temple, representing the destiny of the Lana people; the main stupa of the temple is covered with moss and inside are the carnals of three monks who passed away in a meditative posture, leisurely, still, their bodies seem alive like sleeping persons and kind eyes are still open. One mystery is that the bodies of the three monks do not need to use chemicals to mummify but remain intact. Tourists are curious and respectful.

Wat Chedi Luang
Address: 103 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours: 8AM – 5PM

Must go places in Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh

Phra Singh is a famous ancient temple built in 1385 with the typical architectural features of Thailand. This temple also has a huge and precious Buddhist sutra, gold-plated frescoes, and Phrachaotongtip Buddha statue.

The Buddhist scriptures protected by thick stone walls are a highlight of the Phra Singh temple that makes visitors curious. It stores handwritten Buddhist texts on very thin silk paper or palm leaves talking about the characteristics of Thai folklore.

Have you heard about the famous Songkran water splash festival of the Thai taking place from April 13 to April 15? On this occasion, the people of Chiang Mai will welcome with high regards the holiest Buddha statues to march around the town and attend the bathing ritual of the Buddha. Locals and tourists alike will attend a water bathing festival with buckets, water gun or bubble. Whoever gets splashed more the more water, the more luck in life according to the concept of the Thai.

Wat Phra Singh
Address: 2 Samlarn Rd, Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50280, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 416 027
Admission: 20 baht ($0.66) (for foreign visitors)

Must see places in Chiang Mai: Wat Ku Tao

Wat Ku Tao has the original name Wat Veru Vanaram, which means watermelon. Because the shape of the temple is particularly similar to this fruit. The temple is not large, but is elaborately carved and built with patterned lines and statues scattered throughout the temple. The temple halls are made of dark wooden teak. In addition, the main hall also has an extremely majestic and brilliant golden Buddha statue. In Chiang Mai tourist season, Wat Ku Tao is always crowded with people to worship Buddha, pray for peace.

Wat Ku Tao
Address: next to Stadium 60, Soi Ku Tao Road, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 211 842
Hours: 8AM – 5PM

Must visit places in Chiang Mai: Wat Chiang Man

Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai built in the 13th century, older than the age of Chiang Mai city.

The precious treasure of Chiang Man temple is the crystal Buddha statue of Phra sae Tang Kamani. Historically, this statue has been the cause of many wars takeover this treasure in 1380. Today, every April 1, Chiang Mai people celebrate a celebration for the Phra sae Tang Kamani statue belongs to them.

In addition, the stone Buddha statue called Phra Sila is also a precious and famous treasure. The statue has been sculpted since 900 in India. These two statues are believed to bring prosperity to Chiang Mai city. You should not miss this temple when coming to Chiang Mai.

Wat Chiang Man
Address: 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours: 8AM – 5PM

Top places to visit in Chiang Mai: Ton Kwen Temple (Wat Intharawat, Wat Ton Kwen)

Ton Kwen Temple is a sacred temple in the extremely rich temples and pagodas complex in Chiang Mai. The special architecture imbued with traditional culture and art of the temple has made international tourists extremely fond of it. Temple space is tranquil and peaceful, you will feel the strange peace at this temple when traveling to Chiang Mai.

Ton Kwen Temple
Address: Ban Ton Kaen, Soi 3, Tambon Nong Kwai, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
Phone: +66 53 248 607
Hours: 8AM – 5PM

Top things to see in Chiang Mai: Bhubing Palace (Phu Ping Palace, Summer Royal Palace)

Located at the top of the mountain, the air of this place is always cool and refreshing like Dalat or Sapa in Vietnam, and it is quite cold in the evening. The palace is splendid, magnificent but still retains the traditional architecture, surrounded by brilliant flower gardens with chrysanthemums, lilies and precious roses…

Bhubing Palace
Address: 1223 Sriwichai Alley, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opened: 1961
Hours: 8:30AM–3:30PM
Phone: +66 53 223 065
Admission: 50 baht/adult; 10 baht/children.

Where should I go in Chiang Mai? Tha Pae Walking Street (Sunday Walking Street)

On weekends from 5PM, the streets in central Chiang Mai city will be banned means of transport for locals and tourists walking and hanging out.

Along the walking streets, you will meet many souvenir stalls selling unique handicrafts, fine Thai silver jewelry and extremely rich street food heaven. In addition, the pedestrian street is also the outdoor stage of street artists with music, dance, magic and interesting traditional games.

Tha Pae Walking Street
Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours: Sunday: 5–10:30PM
Phone: +66 53 259 234

Where to go in Chiang Mai? Grand Canyon

A charming landscape like the Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai makes many visitors extremely curious. The perfect combination of mountains and blue lake has created a wonderful and pristine picture so many people come here to hunt for beautiful pictures, especially at sunset. During the trip to Chiang Mai, visitors can also swim, live virtual in the Grand Canyon is also great. From now on, you don’t need to go halfway around the world to America to see the Grand Canyon.

In the Grand Canyon there is also a water park with many extreme sports water games. In addition, you can find cafes, bars with famous Thai dishes such as khao soi, papaya salad, rice, grilled chicken …

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