Chiang Mai is the capital city of the province of the same name. It is the fifth largest city in Thailand with a population of more than one million in the metropolitan area and 170,000 in the city proper. Chiang Mai is surrounded by lush countryside and mountains, making it a great place for sightseeing. Additionally, it is home to a lot of Thai temples. On this article, we are going to identify and describe ten of the best sightseeing destinations in Chiang Mai.
1. Wat Pha Lat
One of the first sightseeing destinations that you should go to in Chiang Mai is the Wat Pha Lat. The Wat Pha Lat is small Buddhist temple and monastery that could be found in Chiang Mati that is strategically hidden in a woodland. This is why it is regarded by some as the hidden jungle temple paradise. Being a calm and quiet place, sightseeing tourists could unwind and meditate while viewing its statues that are placed strategically in the temple. Wat Pha Lat could be reached by walking on a hiking trail.
Name：Wat Pha Lat
Address：Suthep-Pui Road, Chiang Mai 50200,Thailand
2. Bua Thong Waterfalls
Our second attraction is the Bua Thong Waterfalls. Located near Chiang Mai, the Bua Thong Waterfalls is a small yet beautiful waterfall that is made of mineral deposits and limestone. Since the limestones create friction that could stop slipping, Bua Thong Waterfalls has been dubbed as the sticky waterfall. Its multi-tiered feature makes it a wonder to market at. There are five various levels for tourists to experience and steps on the side of the falls that would lead to the bottom. However, most sightseeing tourists would walk to the bottom and climb up the waterfall.
Name : Bua Thong Waterfalls
Address : 8 Tambon Mae Ho Phra, Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand
3. Ploen Ruedee Night Market
The Ploen Ruedee Night Market is an international food park that serves a wide range of cuisines and small boutiques and stalls to shop at. It offers sightseeing tourists with a taste of the best street eats in Chiang Mai, from Wrap and Roll and Le Gusto Pizza to Burger Box and Mr. Milk Man. They also offer international cuisines for those who want to try other taste. You could enjoy eating your favorite dish or two while you sit on comfortable chairs and be serenaded by a live music.
Name：Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Address：Chang Klan Road | Opposite Mosque, Chiang Mai 50100,Thailand
4. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
The Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara is another Buddhist temple that could be found in Chiang Mai. The grounds where the current temple could be found were originally made up of three different temples: the Wat Ho Thram, Wat Chedi Luang, and the Wat Sukmin. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara hosts monk chats every single day. In here, tourists are invited to talk to the monks (though most of which are usually novices). During these talks, tourists could ask the monks anything about Buddhism or Thailand itself. It would definitely be a thrilling experience sightseeing on this place.
Name：Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Address：103 Phra Pok Klao Road | Phra Singh, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
5. Wat Phra Singh
The Wat Phra Singh is also a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Its full name is Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn. It could be found in the west portion of the old city center which is contained within the moat and the city walls. The main entrance is guarded by lions known as Singhs. The Wat Phra Singh houses a significant Buddha statue known as the Phra Buddha Sihing. Such statue is supposed to have been brought to Chiang Mai. In 1935, King Ananda Mahidol bestowed on its the status of Royal temple of the first grade.
Name：Wat Phra Singh
Address：2 Samlarn Rd, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
6. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
Wat Phra That Doi Kham, also known as the Temple of the Golden Mountain or simply Golden Temple, is also a Buddhist temple that could be found in Chiang Mai, specifically on top of a hill to the southwest of the city. From the top of the Wat Phra That Doi Kham, you could witness a spectacular view of the beautiful city of Chiang Mai and the rolling mountains that could be seen at the back of the Doi Pui Mountain. When sightseeing here, you could witness its 17-meter-tall image of a sitting Buddha.
Name：Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
Address：Mu Ban Chiang Mai Lake Land Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
7. Wat Sri Suphan
Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Chiang Mai Silver Temple, is a beautiful temple that could also be found in Chiang Mai. It is known as the Silver Temple because of its beautifully crafted and intricately done handcrafted silver embellishments. The Wat Sri Suphan is completely covered in silver: from the roof to the walls. Even the displays of Buddhism legends and statues of Buddha have been carved using silver. Due to its stunning view, it is really an attraction in Chiang Mai that is worth visiting.
Name：Wat Sri Suphan
Address：100 Wua Lai Rd, ตำบล พระสิงห์ Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
8. Wat Phakhao Temple
Adding to the long list of Buddhist temples in this historic city of Chiang Mai is the Wat Pha Khao. It is a small monastery in Th Ratchmankha that hold Monk Chat sessions from five in the afternoon up until nine in the evening during the weekends. Not only that, the temple is also worth sightseeing due to its intricate architecture and its beautifully embellished areas for you to meditate at or simply relax or visit. When you go to Chiang Mai, be sure to visit the Wat Pha Khao.
Name：Wat Phakhao Temple
Address：95/2 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200,Thailand
9.Wat Lok Molee
The Wat Lok Molee or Wat Lok Moli is a Buddhist temple in the city of Chiang Mai. The temple could be found on the northern portion of the north moat that surrounds that old portion of the city. While it was not known when it was originally built, it has been recorded that the first mentioned of the temple was in a charter in 1367 CE. the temple is noted for its intricate statues and its beautiful brickwork and facade. The Wat Lok Molee temple is aligned along a north-south axis.
Name：Wat Lok Molee
Address：298/1 Manee Nopparat Road | Si Phum, Chiang Mai, Thailand
10. Wat Chiang Man
Our last temple and sightseeing destination in Chiang Mai is the Wat Chiang Man. Sometimes called as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Man is a Buddhist temple that could be found inside the old city of Chiang Mai, specifically within the city walls and the moat. There are a lot of sights to see in Chiang Mai, specifically the Chedi Chang Lom or the Elephant Chedi, the Main Wihan, and New Wihan, the Ubosot, the Ho Trai, and the Lotus Pond.The Phra Sae Tang Khamani and the Phra Sila, two Buddhist statues, could also be found here.
Name：Wat Chiang Man
Address：Ratchaphakhinai Road, Chiang Mai,Thailand
◎ Closing
From Thai temples to waterfalls, Chiang Mai could already complete your Thai experience. Be sure to check each of the attractions mentioned earlier so that you could fully enjoy your stay in the city.