9-temple tour inside the city moat

You don’t need a time machine to experience authentic Lanna heritage. A tour of ancient temples inside the city moat will bring you in touch with the city’s unique history and architectural heritage. Take this opportunity to pay respect to revered Buddha images and pray to have your wishes fulfilled.

Wat Chedi Luang: An ancient landmark as old as Chiang Mai

There are over 100 temples in the old walled town alone. The number reflects the traditional Lanna belief that you will accrue much merit by building a temple. The No. 1 must-visit temple is Wat Chedi Luang, believed to have been built in AD 1381. The giant stupa at its center had its spire toppled by a massive earthquake during the reign of Queen Chiraprabha, circa 1545 AD, and today only the gigantic bottom portion remains. Crowds visit the place daily to pray and take photos, but the pagoda draws the biggest crowd during the annual City Life pillar worship ceremony. During this event, locals dressed in beautiful traditional garb bring flower bowls to the City Life pillar shrine on the temple complex to pray for peace and prosperity for the whole City Life.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 07:00 – 18:00

Chiang Mai Old City – See Location

Wat Phra Singh: Venerate the principal Buddha image in the gilded vihara

Another of Chiang Mai’s important temples, Wat Phra Singh has been a spiritual center since the time of the Lanna kingdom. Stepping through the front entrance you will come face to face with the principal Vihara built during the times of the revered monk Khru Ba Srivichai. Behind it is the chapel, whose principal Buddha image is housed in a mondop-like structure not found at any other Chiang Mai temple. The chief highlight of the temple complex is the Vihara Lai Khram, a prime example of traditional Lanna architecture and one of the largest such specimens dating back to ancient Lanna times. The building houses the Buddha Sihing, or Phra Singh, and the wall behind the image is decorated with ornate gilding (Lai Khram). The other walls feature murals by Chinese painters telling the story of Sangthong (The Golden Prince of the Conch Shell). The temple is also the site of the sacred pagoda that, according to traditional Lanna beliefs, those born in the Year of the Great Snake must visit at least once to ensure a happy and prosperous life.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 17:00

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Wat Inthakhin: Pray for peace, success and wish fulfillment

Visiting the area around the Three Kings Monument for the first time, you might wonder why there is a religious chapel right in the middle of the road. During the construction of Chiang Mai, the structure was built to house the City Life pillar, and as such it came to serve as a spiritual center of the City Life. Sometime later it became deserted and remained so for hundreds of years until a road was built through the area. The temple of the City Life pillar was subsequently renovated, its glory restored. Now a black wooden building with intricate giltwork decorations, it contains a Buddha image called Luang Pho Khao, which has been in Chiang Mai for more than 700 years. Locals believe that those plagued by disquiet or facing an insoluble problem should come and pray to Luang Pho Khao. Their inner peace will be restored and they will gain the wisdom needed to be successful in all their endeavors.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 09:00 – 16:00

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Wat Muen Ngoen Kong: Where believers come to pray for riches

This temple has an unusual history. Legend has it that it was built by a local man called Methang, who was married to a woman named Kaew. Making a living as traveling cattle traders, they persevered through lean years and eventually became wealthy. They buried their riches for safekeeping but later dug them up and built a temple with them. After receiving the title of Muen Ngoen Kong, Methang gave the same name to the temple he built. The name literally means “ten thousand piles of silver” and it is believed that those who pray here will be blessed with good fortune, especially in trade.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 17:00

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Wat Duang Dee: Pray and be blessed with good luck year-round

Wat Duang Dee is located in a small soi across Phra Pokklao Road from the Three Kings Monument. First-time visitors will need to keep an eye out for the temple sign. Built sometime after King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai, Wat Duang Dee once served as a school for sons of princes and noblemen. The temple’s carved wooden architecture is the work of ancient master craftsmen. Especially noteworthy is the principal vihara, which houses Phra Chao Duang Dee, a Lanna-style Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara. Locals believe that those who pray to Phra Chao Duang Dee will be blessed with good luck year-round. And if you bang on the temple gong, your luck will be doubled!

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 17:00

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Wat Phan Tao: See the gold vihara, make merit and be blessed a thousandfold

The spectacular sight of an ancient temple bathed in the light of votive candles is one of the reasons that draw visitors to Wat Phan Tao. A small temple built around the same time as Wat Chedi Luang, it dates back to the early years of Chiang Mai. If you visit the place on a weekday, take time to admire the Chiang Saen-style golden Vihara. Built entirely of golden teak, the building once housed the residence of the King of Chiang Mai. Today it houses the Buddha image known as Phra Chao Phan Tao. The name sounds like the Thai word for “a thousandfold,” and it is believed that if you pray to the image, you will receive just as many blessings. To see the temple at its most picturesque, come during the Yi Peng (Loy Krathong) festival. That’s when the entrance gates sport beautiful traditional adornments and the whole place glows with light from votive candles and colorful lanterns brought by locals as offerings of faith.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 08:00 – 17:00

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Wat Chiang Man: Pray to Phra Kaew Khao for a stable life and longevity

The oldest temple inside the City Life moat, Wat Chiang Man was built during the times of King Mengrai, the first Lanna king, who donated his palace to be turned into a royal temple. Visitors should not miss paying homage to Phra Kaew Khao, also known as Phra Setangamani. It is believed that if you pray to the image, you will be blessed with a long, prosperous and successful life. Another temple highlight is the chedi surrounded by elephants. Its shape reflects the influence of Sukhothai art and the structure served as a model for other chedis throughout ancient Lanna.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 06:00 – 20:00

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Wat Phan On: Hub of sacred amulets

Those who have strolled through the Sunday Walking Street will have passed by Wat Phan On and some will have stopped by, as the temple turns into a rest spot and local-food hub every Sunday evening. The rest of the week, it is a popular gathering place for amulet connoisseurs. On your visit there, make sure to stop by the Vihara and pay your respects to the Buddha Chinnaraj (a replica of the famous image in Phitsanulok) and the temple’s principal image, Phra Buddha Mongkol Mahamuni. Go on to the amulet center and browse or buy some for protection and good luck.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 07:00 – 19:00

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Wat Chai Phrakiat: Seek blessings for a life of good fortune

Originally called Wat Chai Pha Kiat, the temple dates back to the time of King Mekuti, 16th king of the Mengrai Dynasty. Burmese influence is clearly visible in the temple architecture. This is not surprising, given that the Burmese were the most dominant group in Lanna at the time of its construction. The principal Buddha image, Phra Chao Ha Tue, is much revered and locals believe that those who pray to the image will triumph in all their undertakings. The Burmese inscription on its pedestal says precisely this.

Opening Time: Mon – Sun 07:00 – 19:00

Chiang Mai Old City – See Location