Chiang Mai is a city rich in culture and history, with various attractions to explore in the northern Thailand. It offers a unique blend of ancient temples, Lanna culture, and abundant greenery. This guide will help you discover the must-visit attractions in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai has a lot of diverse attractions. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or traveling with family, Chiang Mai has something to offer for everyone.

Historical and Cultural Sites

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Overview

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most famous temples in Thailand. The temple is a significant destination for Buddhists and a must-visit for anyone interested in Thai culture and history.

Location and Accessibility

Located at atop Doi Suthep mountain. Visitors can travel there by car, taxi, or the popular red songthaews (identity local shared taxis).

Special Features

The temple’s golden chedi is its most iconic feature. There are also beautiful statues, and a museum showcasing religious artifacts. Another highlight is the breathtaking panoramic view of Chiang Mai from the temple.

Wat Chedi Luang

Overview

Wat Chedi Luang is another important historical site in Chiang Mai. Phra That Chedi Luang is considered to be the tallest pagoda in the northern region. It was built in the early 20th Buddhist century and is considered to be the most important pagoda in Chiang Mai.

Location and Accessibility

The Temple is in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old City, therefore easily accessible by foot, bicycle, or tuk-tuk.

Special Features

Visitors can admire the temple’s massive chedi, though partially ruined, remains an impressive sight.

Wat U Mong

Overview

Wat U Mong, also known as the Tunnel Temple, is a unique and tranquil temple. This Buddhist temple is renowned for its ancient tunnels and serene atmosphere.

Location and Accessibility

Located in the forested area of Suthep Road. The temple can be reached by car, taxi, tuk-tuk or bicycle.

Special Features

One of the most distinctive features of Wat U Mong is its network of tunnels, which were constructed to provide monks with a quiet place for meditation.

Natural Wonders and Parks

Doi Inthanon National Park

Overview

Doi Inthanon National Park is Thailand’s highest peak named Doi Inthanon, which stands at 2,565 meters. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, stunning waterfalls, and hiking trails, making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Location and Accessibility

Located in the Thanon Thong Chai Range, Chom Thong District. Visitors can travel there by car or by joining a guided tour from the city.

Special Features

Doi Inthanon National Park boasts several impressive waterfalls. The park is also a prime bird-watching spot. The visitors can enjoy with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Overview

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park covers the famous Doi Suthep mountain, as well as Doi Pui and Doi Buak Ha mountains. The park is known for its lush forests, various plants and animals, and the iconic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple.

Location and Accessibility

Located at RW48+RC4, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District. The park can be reached by car, taxi, or songthaew.

Special Features

The park offers several attractions, hiking trails to viewpoints and waterfalls, visiting the Hmong Village of Ban Doi Pui. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, making it a popular destination for bird watchers.

Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park

Overview

Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is a stunning natural reserve located in the northernmost part of Chiang Mai province. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Location and Accessibility

Doi Pha Hom Pok is situated in the Fang District. Visitors can visit there by car or bus from Chiang Mai. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Special Features

The highlight of the park is the climb to the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok offering breathtaking views. The park is home to several natural hot springs offer a relaxing experience. There are also many tourist attractions including waterfalls and several ethnic minority villages.

Family-Friendly Activities

Elephant Nature Park

Overview

Elephant Nature Park is a renowned elephant rescue and rehabilitation center located near Chiang Mai. The park offering visitors a chance to learn about these magnificent creatures in an ethical and responsible manner.

Location and Accessibility

Located in Mae Taeng District, about 60 kilometers away from Chiang Mai city. The park can be reached by car or by booking a day trip to the park.

Special Features

Visitors can observe and interact with elephants in a natural setting in the park. Activities include feeding the elephants, walking with them or bathing them in the river.

Chiang Mai Zoo

Overview

Chiang Mai Zoo is a large, well-maintained zoo that houses a wide variety of animals from around the world. The zoo is spread over an extensive area, offering a range of activities for visitors of all ages.

Location and Accessibility

The zoo is located at the base of Doi Suthep mountain. It is easily visit there by car, taxi, or songthaew.

Special Features

Chiang Mai Zoo is home to over 400 animal species, including koalas, and penguins. The zoo also features a large aquarium, a snow dome, and a safari park. Visitors can enjoy animal shows.

Chiang Mai Night Safari

Overview

Chiang Mai Night Safari offers a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife in a naturalistic setting. The park is designed to mimic the African savanna and is home to a wide variety of animals, including giraffes, zebras, and white tigers.

Location and Accessibility

The Night Safari is situated about 12 kilometers southwest of the city center. It is easily accessible by car or taxi, and many tour operators in Chiang Mai offer packages that include transportation.

Special Features

Visitors can explore nocturnal wildlife by tram or on foot, observing animals in environments that closely their natural habitats. The park also offers activities such as animal feeding and night shows.

Tips for Visiting Popular Attractions

Plan Ahead: Research the opening hours and any special requirements for each attraction.
Transport Options: Consider the best mode of transportation for each destination.
Respect Local Customs: When visiting temples and cultural sites, dress modestly and follow local customs and etiquette.
Engage with Locals: Don’t hesitate to interact with locals and seek their recommendations.

Enhance your Chiang Mai trip by visiting these top attractions. Chiang Mai offers a diverse and enriching travel experience. Experience the city’s rich culture, stunning natural beauty, and warm hospitality to create a journey you’ll cherish forever.

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When deciding what to do in Yaowarat, Bangkok. One of the top things to do is visit the temples, particularly in Chinatown.

Where you will discover the perfect blend of Thai and Chinese culture. There are ten temples nearby Yaowarat where you are worth to admire the wonderful and beautiful architecture and creatures.

Temples Around Chinatown Bangkok

Discover the serene haven nestled in the bustling streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown. Explore the cultural tapestry of the city with a visit to the tranquil temples near Yaowarat, Bangkok’s vibrant heart.

1. Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan

Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan. The temple of the golden Buddha (Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon) made with the pure gold and has been stayed in this city for a long time as a museum on the 3^rd floor of the concrete temple.

History : Also known as Wat Sam Jeen, three Chinese friends established this temple during the Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1939. It’s suggested that craftsmen constructed the Golden Buddha around the 13th-14th century when it resided in Sukhothai province.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/eJBqoYALiaenxBpJ7

2. Wat Samphanthawong (Wat Ko)

The highlight of this place is the big Buddha image in the posture of Maravichai, built with logs and covered with cement, wood, and gold.

History : Wat Samphanthawong, also known as Wat Ko, actively stands as one of the ancient temples from the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Previously an island within the temple grounds, it earned its name ‘Wat Ko’ from this unique geographical feature.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/dujJJMMR8FyHPTnf8

3. Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan

For this temple, in the ordination hall, there is a Buddha statue resisting temptations decorated with the king suit named Phra Phuttha Mahachanok, which is a second-class royal temple in Chinatown.

History : For background, you should visit the execution stone for royal captives, which has been formally abolished since King Rama IV’s reign. It was the site of Prince Kraisorn’s execution after he rebelled against King Rama III.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/zoPWou7ZoL3ih8v88

4. Wat Chaichana Songkhram

The principal Buddha image named “Singhamunin Thammabodin Lokanartthewanorachat Apiphuchani” is in this location, and most of the buildings are made of concrete, which was quite new for locals at the time and is called “Wat Tuek” to these days.

History : The temple was built in the region of Chao Phraya Bodindecha’s Sing Singhaseni’s house and land after King Rama III’s victory over the Vietnamese and Khmers as evidence.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/NQaMUQNSwyDGYcWeA

5. Wat Maha Pruettharam

This location has been existing since the Ayutthaya Kingdom, but the story of “Dhutanga 13” in magnificent 3D perspective in Western painting and architecture should not be missed as well as four Buddha statues, ranging in size from small to large.

History : The Mahapruttharam Temple is a historic temple from the Ayutthaya period that was formerly known as “Wat Tha Kwian” because it served as a rest stop for commercial caravans traveling to Bangkok.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/nB3YdvDPypAdJjMm6

6. Guan Yu Shrine

The point of this place is Guan Yu, a door god in Chinese and Taoist temples with his Akhal-Teke, and people who come here to pray for their children to be teachable and obey, and someomes also bless to be successful with their careers.

History : Guan Yu Shrine, a remnant of the early Chinese immigrants who came during the Ayutthaya dynasty, has been devoted to the ancient Chinese god of combat for over 312 years.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/dqiCLKTc9dt8jKTt5

7. Wat Mangkorn Kammalawas (Leng Nuei Yee)

With its beautiful traditional Chinese design and southern Chinese style of the Chaozhou style, Wat Mangkorn Kammalawas (Leng Nuei Yee) is the most popular location where everyone, including locals and visitors, must go for warding off bad luck by God of Fortune.

History : It was founded in the 1870s as Wat Leng Noei Yi; the temple served as an introduction to Mahayana Buddhism, and Phra Archan Chin Wang Samathiwat, or Sok Heng, named it Wat Leng Noei Yi, which translates as “Dragon Lotus Temple”.

Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/C5txNfvVHNrkWpnn9

8. Tai Hong Kong Shrine, Poh Teck Tung Foundation

You need to see Tai Hong Kong statue which was moved from China. People have also handed willingness of the one who is the founder of this place through synthetic social work, education, public charity activities, and the management of dead bodies without family.

History : The shrine designed with southern Chinese architecture at Luang Pu Tai Hong was established by a Buddhist monk who has long been adored by underprivileged villagers in China. This location is also known as the Poh Teck Tung Foundation for the destitute and unidentified bodies.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/fi6GJwdbBC4MkZQDA

9. Leng Buayia Shrine

Leng Buai Shrine — Image : Tourist Bangkok

Many individuals now visit this location to seek blessings. Asking for blessings from the gods Leng Buea, Hu Yin, and the soldier Hor Hia Huang, and fortune-telling are especially appropriate for travelers who need a place to lean on.

History : The Leng Buayia Shrine has been known for a long time, and it was established by the Teochew Chinese in the middle of the Ayutthaya period. Also, the temple’s interior is designed in the Teochew Chinese style.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/LMHhS1du3KriU6tx9

10. Lee Ti Miew Shrine

The last location is ideal for couples seeking to have a child or be blessed with true love for those who are single, with Guan Yin standing on a giant lotus bloom in this Taoist shrine, a large shrine in Chinatown that should not be overlooked.

History : The Hakka Chinese recognized and established it as a ‘healing temple,’ providing Chinese medicine. This Taoist shrine, notable for its Qing Dynasty Chinese architecture, suffered damage from a fire but underwent reconstruction by the Chinese Association in Thailand.
Map Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/rJ7gVhchEeb3wxbE8

There are more temples to explore if you have time for a long journey to Bangkok Chinatown, and we promise that you will love and enjoy everywhere you go to admire some architecture and arts as well as pray for your wishes.