Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is, without a doubt, my favorite place in Thailand. It’s far more laid-back and relaxed compared to popular destinations like Phuket or Koh Samui. With its abundance of temples and rich history to explore, Chiang Mai exudes a unique charm. On this page, we’ll delve into some of my favorite highlights of this captivating city.

Temples

One of my favourite aspects of Chiang Mai is its abundance of temples, all situated close to one another and easily explored in a single day’s visit.

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang, a 14th-century temple in Chiang Mai’s Old City, features a massive pagoda that was once the city’s tallest structure. Despite earthquake damage in 1545, it still reaches 60 meters high.

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, built in 1296 when the city was first founded. The temple is particularly famous for housing two important Buddha images: the Crystal Buddha and the Marble Buddha. It’s fascinating to view such an old temple up close.

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep

A spectacular golden temple, my personal favorite temple in Chiang Mai, sits at an elevation of 1,073 meters on Doi Suthep mountain. The temple complex features a stunning golden chedi (stupa) that contains holy Buddha relics.