Chiang Mai, Thailand, should be your prime destination if you are a traveler looking to experience Thai culture to the full: not only is it a city that retains much of its pre-modernization charm and shows minimal influences of industrialization, it is also home to over three hundred Buddhist temples. Most of these temples are centuries old, dating back to the early days of the Kingdom of Lanna, which was founded in 1292 and became part of Thailand in 1774. More than religious centers, the wat are sites of culture that have accumulated different architecture styles, relics, and artworks over hundreds of years. You may find yourself overwhelmed, however, by the sheer number of temples (also known as wat in Thai) to see in Chiang Mai; the following guide gives you a starting point of which ones you shouldn't miss.
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is located on the mountain Doi Suthep and is one of the most prominent historical sites in the province; as such it is a must-see in any traveler's trip to Chiang Mai. Roughly 15 kilometers from the city center, it consists of a beautiful gold-plated chedi (pagoda), the famous white elephant shrine, countless murals, and an exquisitely made naga stairway-with 309 steps-leading you up to the top (though you can always opt to take the cable instead for a small fee, 60 bht at the time of writing). At the lofty height of 1,053 meters above sea level, it also offers a fantastic and panoramic view of Chiang Mai that'd be perfect on any postcard. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep began in 1371 as a single chedi, but was expanded several times by various Chiang Mai monarchs and is still being added to today. The most recent addition, a glass tip for the golden lotus on one of the pagodas, was donated by the current king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Wat Chedi Luang presents a different style of architecture, being of a purely Lanna origin. Built in the late 14th century to enshrine a king's remains, Wat Chedi Luang had the distinction of being the tallest structure in all of Chiang Mai for five centuries until an earthquake in the 16th century reduced its former height of ninety meters to the present-day sixty. Its compound encompasses the Mahamakut Buddhist University, a monks' campus. This temple is located in the Old City area, near the Thapae Gate. From here, many other temples can be reached within walking distance, among them the famous Wat Phra Singh.
Wat Chaimongkol is a riverside temple located on Chareon Prathet Road in the city center, north of the Night Bazaar. The temple is over six centuries old and quite remarkable for its shrines and collection of relics; the style of its architecture shows influences from ancient Lanna as well as those of Myanmar and Laos. One of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) and the Buddhist tradition of freeing animals into the Mae Ping River, Wat Chaimongkol perfectly complements a sightseeing stroll through the city.
Wat Suan Dok distinguishes itself by having a dedicated "Monk Chat" center (technically that hosts lectures and talks for English-speaking foreigners who are interested in Buddhism and/or conversion to Buddhism. Monks also make themselves available for less formal dialogue and discussions; there are also courses provided by the University of Chiang Mai. Even apart from this feature, however, the temple is set in a large compound that houses many pagodas, one of which is said to contain one half of the relic that founded Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Wat Suan Dok is located on Suthep Road to the west of the Old City, close to the Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital. Joanne Chong
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