Sights and landmarks in Chiang Mai

Sights and landmarks in Chiang Mai

1. See

   Bhubing Palace

   Phu Ping Palace, Royal Winter Palace

   This royal winter palace has lavishly landscaped gardens and is open to the public. Dress code strictly applied: dress modestly or pay 15 baht for fisherman's pants to cover your lack of it. This includes any leg above the ankle for either gender. The palace (built in 1961) is not particularly exciting, but the extensive gardens are picturesque with some amazing plant life, including carefully tended tropical flowers, centuries-old trees and giant bamboo. A sign at the bottom of the hill near the zoo indicates when it's closed. It is close to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, so travel directions are similar.

   Daily 08:30-11:30 & 13:00-15:00 when the Thai royal family is not in residence·50 baht, children 10 baht

2. See

   Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery

   A place of history and remembrance. A statue of Queen Victoria is overlooking the place.

3. See

   Chiang Mai Historical Centre

   หอประวัติศาสตร์เมืองเชียงใหม่

   This modern multimedia history and cultural education centre has guides dressed in elegant traditional Thai clothing who will usher you into an air-conditioned room to watch an English-subtitled orientation video about Chiang Mai and the north. Next, you will be pointed to a series of rooms documenting the region's history and culture in chronological order from the pre-Muang period (7,000-12,000 years ago) to the early river civilizations, to the early kings through the wars with the Burmese and the last dynasty, to the city today and its plans for the future. Other rooms are devoted to Buddhism and other regional beliefs, agricultural history, hill tribe peoples and other regional cultures, and a run-down of the royal dynasties. The exhibits consist of a smart visual mix of video, scale models, enlarged photos, wall murals and text in Thai and English. This complex also shared with the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre

   Tue-Sun 08:30–17:00·90 baht

4. See

   Chiang Mai University Art Museum

   There are exhibitions by undergraduates from the Fine Arts Department at Chiang Mai University. These change often and the work on display is of high quality. Each month there is usually at least one art exhibition featuring the works of artists from Southeast Asia. The museum also hosts musical concerts, often free, in the adjoining theatre.

   Tue-Sun 09:00–17:00·Free

5. See

   Chiang Mai Zoo & Aquarium

   A large park with over 400 species of animals, extremely popular with Thai tourists, and long queues may be encountered during Thai holidays. While better than some zoos, many animals are nevertheless kept in small enclosures. The zoo operates a dual pricing system wherein non-Thais are charged approximately double the price of Thai nationals. Additional charges are applied for the aquarium. Many of the animals can be fed for a charge of 10 or 20 baht. The park is pretty large, and expect plenty of hills if you want to walk the complete route, so taking the "tram," which is an open-air cart, is a faster and more convenient way to get around, though the last tram starts at 16:30. It's possible to drive through with your car, and there are parking spots next to the animal exhibits. If you have a rental scooter or bike, definitely bring it though. The zoo closes at 17:00, but many visitors wander to the exit gate well past closing time.

   Daily 09:00-17:00·Zoo Ticket 350 baht for adults, 120 baht for children; Aquarium Ticket 450 baht for adults, 350 baht for children; as of December 2025 Panda House Tickets are not available

6. See

   Kalm Village

   Community culture space that often hosts workshops like mini loom weaving or meditation.

   Free

7. See

   Lanna Architecture Center

   Khum Museum

   Located in the Khum Chao Burirat Mahain Building, a two storey house as an example of the western influence on native architecture in early Chiang Mai times, there are videos, photos, and models about traditional Thai buildings. You can also buy postcards, pencils, and tees about Khum Chao Burirat there. There are several stamps of Thai building pictures to stamp on your booklet.

   120 baht (foreigner), 60 baht (Thailand resident)

8. See

   Lanna Traditional House Museum

   CMULHM

   traditional wooden houses of the northern Thai region and Lanna culture.

   Tue-Sun 08:30-16:30·100 baht

9. See

   Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders

   One of Asia's most unusual museums housing butterflies, beetles, etc. Also has a large selection of minerals. Some explanations in English, some in Thai.

   Daily 09:00–17:00·200 baht

10. See

    Northern Telecoms of Thailand Museum

    History and evolution of the telecommunications service technology.

    Mon-Fri 08:30–16:30

11. See

    The Highland People Discovery Museum

    Former name: Tribal Museum

    The museum is located on a little peninsula in a big pond. There is also an open air part to the museum at 300 m from the main building, where you find houses in the styles of the tribes. There is also a shop selling clothes, bags, and other high hill tribe products.

    Mon-Fri 08:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:00

12. See

    The Treasury Museum Chiang Mai

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ธนารักษ์ จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

    One of two money museums in Thailand, focused on northern Thailand, run by government treasury department, in a heritage building. It is small: plan 1 hr to see, need to take off shoes.

    Tue-Fri 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00; Sat Sun 10:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00·Free

13. See

    Wat Chedi Luang

    วัดเจดีย์หลวงวรวิหาร

    Almost in the centre of Chiang Mai are the remains of a massive chedi that toppled in the great earthquake of 1545. The temple was originally constructed in 1401 on the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the chedi (pronounced jedee) to a height of 86 m. After the earthquake, the chedi lay in ruins until 1991-92, when it was reconstructed at a cost of several million baht. A magnificent testament to Lanna (northern Thai) architecture and art, restored sections hint at its former glory. Wat Chedi Luang is also home to the "Pillar of the City", a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites.

    Thais free; foreigners 50 baht

14. See

    Wat Chet Yot

    วัดเจ็ดยอด. Also called Wat Jet Yot or Wat Jed Yod

    The history and unusual architecture scattered under the yawning canopy of ancient trees is a pleasant antidote to the flash and bustle encountered at popular temples. Established in 1455 to host the eighth World Buddhist Council, many features of the grounds imitate significant places of the Buddha's enlightenment. Originally called Botharam Maha Vihata in honour of the venerated Bodhi tree, it came to be known as Wat Jet Yod by locals, after the seven spires (Jet Yod) protruding from the roof of the Vihara. The square-sided design of the Virhra is a replica of Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, India, though the translation has distorted proportions somewhat. Remnants of the graceful stucco relief murals that adorned the walls depict angels with a distinctly Indian flavour. The grounds also hold some more recently built, but abandoned looking, eroded chedis and buckling bases of vanished halls, overshadowed by a fully intact, though more diminutive, replica of Chedi Luang that was built around 1487 to house the ashes of King Tilokarat.

15. See

    Wat Chiang Man

    วัดเชียงมัน

    The oldest temple in the city. Presumed to date from the year Chiang Mai was founded (1296), it is famed for two Buddha statues, which are about 1,800 and 1,000 years old, respectively. King Mengrai allegedly lived here while the city of Chiang Mai was being constructed. Enshrined in Wat Chiang Man is a tiny crystal Buddha called Pra Seh-Taang Kamaneeee, which is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects the fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousands of years ago.

16. See

    Wat Lok Moli

    Wat Lok Moli is a historic Lanna-style temple dating back to the 14th century.

17. See

    Wat Pha Lat

    Some buildings at the road, but turn left to go down to the actual temple. Nice views from the temple. The monk trail passes through the temple grounds.

18. See

    Wat Phra Chao Mengrai

    วัดพระเจ้าเม็งราย. Sometimes called Wat Phra Jao Mengrai

    An atmospheric temple with two wihan buildings, off the beaten track, quiet and gently crumbling. One of the wihan buildings houses an important Buddha image: Phra Buddha Rupa Phra Chao Mengrai.

19. See

    Wat Phra Singh

    วัดพระสิงห์วรมาวิหาร

    Probably Chiang Mai's best-known temple, housing the Phra Singh image, completed between 1385 and 1400. Of most historical interest is the Wihan Lai Kham in the back, featuring Lanna-style temple murals and intricate gold patterns on red lacquer behind the altar. The large chedi was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu to house the remains of his father King Kam Fu. A typical scripture repository is located at this temple as well. These repositories were designed to keep and protect the delicate sa or mulberry paper sheets used by monks and scribes to keep records and write down folklore. The high stucco-covered stone base of the repository protected the delicate scriptures from rain, floods, and pests. The walls of the chapel are covered with murals illustrating Lanna customs, dress and scenes from daily life. The lovely Lai Kam chapel houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image. The head was stolen in 1922, and a reproduction is now seen. Your admission ticket is in a leaflet form containing useful information and map of Wat Phra Singh complex. The temple is most attractive during Songkran, the Thai New Year, in mid-April.

20. See

    Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

    วัดพระธาตุดอยสุเทพ

    The quintessential image of Chiang Mai with its large gilded chedi, visible from the city on a clear day. Built in 1383 during the Lanna Thai period, legend has it that the temples site was selected by an elephant sent to roam the mountain side, where upon reaching a suitable spot, it trumpeted, circled three times, knelt down and promptly died, which was interpreted as a sign indicating an auspicious site. The temple offers grand views over the city, but no reward is without effort as you must accent the 200-plus steep steps of the Naga-lined stairs. The climb may be a strain in the high altitude's thin air for the less fit, so you may opt to take the cable car for 20 baht. For the Visaka Bucha holiday around May each year, it is traditional for people to walk from the zoo to the temple and vast numbers make the pilgrimage to the top, which takes around 4–5 hours.

    Closed · opens 7 am

21. See

    Wat Suan Dok

    A large open-sided hall with a jumble of roughly hewn Buddhas with a huge dazzlingly whitewashed chedi behind. On the temple grounds is also a royal cemetery with the ashes collected from around Chiang Mai by princess Dara Rasmi (one of the wives of King Chulalongkorn).

22. See

    Wat Ton Kwen

    Very nice temple with unusual architectural elements. Road 1269 is also part of the Samoeng Loop route.

23. See

    Wat Umong

    วัดอุโมงค์

    The name means "tunnel temple". An ancient temple in the forest just outside Chiang Mai. King Mengrai built this temple for a highly respected forest monk who liked to wander in the countryside, hence the isolated location where the monk could stay quietly and meditate. It is unusual in that it has tunnel-like chambers in the ground, some of the walls of which still have the original paintings of birds and animals visible. The large stupa is magnificent, and there is an eerie statue of a fasting, emaciated Buddha next to it. You can also take a break by the ponds, where you can feed the fish and turtles. Has a meditation centre open to foreigners. Some monks and the abbot speak a little English.

    Closed · opens 8:30 am

24. See

    Wiang Kum Kam

    เวียงกุมกาม

    This ancient city was built in the 13th century CE by King Meng Rai to be the first capital city of Lanna. But it flooded every year so he decided to move his capital to Nopburi-Srinakornping Chiang Mai. Wiang Kum Kam was flooded and did not show up again because of the path of Ping River changed. In 1984, one of the temples was found by the Department of Fine Arts, and exploration of the other temples began. Now there are multiple brick ruins of ancient temples. Tour around Wiang Kum Kam with a guide are available from tourist agencies for 300 baht. You can get there by carriage for 200 baht, or rent a bicycle to ride along the road and follow the signs. Notice that entering the area via the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd is very nice because of the very tall trees that line this road.

25. See Not mapped

    Doi Suthep

    A ride for the temples and sunset to Doi Suthep is a rewarding trip with great views of the city. Most tourists will end up at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, but there are several other attractions you may want to consider visiting, besides of course the mountain itself. 4½ km further along the road from Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep are the Bhubing Royal Palace Gardens (see before). Here you will also find a great sunset viewpoint, 500 m downhill on the other side of the road. Further along this road is Doi Pui Tribal Village, and although tourist-oriented, is really worth the trip. There are many shops for local handicrafts, etc. These are the people from the far north of the country, many originally from Myanmar. There are two areas in the village that require entrance fee: 10 baht to enter a flower garden (where women can take pictures using traditional clothes) and a hill tribe opium museum (the museum is in a very poor condition); and 10 baht to enter the hill tribe waterfall (man-made).

    As of December 2025 many places in the National Park have an entrance fee of 100 baht that used to have no entrance fee

26. See Not mapped

    Wat Chedi Liam

    วัดเจดีย์เหลี่ยม

    Formerly known as Wat Ku Kham (Thai: วัดกู่คำ), this temple was renovated in 1908 by a Burmese trader. Therefore, many decorations are in Burmese style. The chedi was also renovated in 1992.

27. See Not mapped

    Wat Si Suphan

    Silver temple

    The Ubosot building of the temple is completely covered with a layer of silver, particularly impressive when illuminated in the evening. Decorated with detailed ornaments. Sometimes silversmiths on site are adding or renewing the decoration. Conversations with monks and an introduction to meditation are also offered in the temple. Women are not allowed to enter the interior of the Ubosot building.

28. See

    Chiang Mai National Museum

    The history of Chiang Mai.

    Wed-Sun 09:00–16:00·100 baht

29. See

    Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum

    Museum of stamps and postal related objects.

    Tue-Sun 08:30–16:30·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chiang Mai (CC BY-SA 4.0).