Perched high above the clouds and surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, the twin Royal Pagodas of Doi Inthanon are among the most iconic and photogenic landmarks in Northern Thailand. Officially known as Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphonphumisiri, these striking structures stand proudly near the summit of Thailand’s tallest mountain, rising more than 2,500 meters above sea level. Their dramatic setting, with mist drifting through the valleys below, makes the visit feel both peaceful and awe-inspiring.

Wat Suan Dok was founded in 1370 CE by King Kue Na of the Lanna Kingdom for the monk Maha Sumana Thera. It was built at the centre of Wiang Suan Dok, a walled settlement of the Lawa people that predates the establishment of Chiang Mai itself. Traces of this earlier settlement are still visible today: the outlines of the fortifications can be identified on satellite images, and remnants of earthen walls remain north of Suthep Road. The area had once been King Kue Na’s flower garden (suan dok mai), from which the temple derived its original name, Wat Buppharam.

Perched on a quiet hill just outside the city, Wat Phra That Doi Kham is one of Chiang Mai’s lesser-known yet deeply revered temples. The name is commonly translated as the “Temple of the Golden Mountain,” a reference to its sacred hilltop setting and the gleaming chedi that anchors the complex. Despite its relatively tranquil atmosphere today, the temple has a long and significant history that spans more than 1,300 years.

Wat Ton Kwen dates to around 1852, during the reign of King Kawilorot Suriyawong, the sixth ruler of Chiang Mai. It was established as a resting place for the procession of the Phra Borommathat Si Chom Thong relic during the Hae Phra Chao Khao Wiang ceremony, linking the site closely to local ritual life. The name “Ton Kwen” refers to the coffee plum tree (Muntingia calabura) associated with the area, while the alternative name, Wat Inthrawat, honors Kruba In, a master craftsman involved in the construction of the main hall.

Wat Chet Yot was commissioned in 1455 CE by King Tilokarat of the Lanna Kingdom. Before construction began, the king sent monks to Bagan in present-day Myanmar to study the design of the Mahabodhi Temple there, which itself was modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, the site traditionally associated with the Buddha’s enlightenment. Drawing from these influences, Wat Chet Yot was conceived as a Lanna interpretation of this important Indian Buddhist prototype.

Wat Chiang Man is regarded as the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and traces its origins to the founding of the city itself. It was established by King Mangrai in 1297 on the site of Wiang Nopburi, a fortified settlement of the Lawa people that he had used as a camp while planning and building his new capital. Local accounts at the temple add that Mangrai, together with Phaya Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai and Phaya Ngam Mueang of Phayao, ordered the construction of a chedi at this location, which became Wat Chiang Man. Mangrai is said to have stayed nearby at a place known as Baan Chiang Man, from which the temple takes its name.

Wat Lok Molee is located on Chiang Mai’s north side of the old city moat, about 400 meters west of Chang Phuak Gate. Set beside the city wall and slightly away from the main tourist routes, it is generally quieter than many of the city’s better-known temples.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn is one of the most important Buddhist temples within the old walled city of Chiang Mai. Located on the western side of the historic center, it lies within the core zone of the Chiang Mai UNESCO World Heritage initiative and continues to function both as an active monastery and a major cultural landmark.

Wat Chedi Luang stands at the center of Chiang Mai’s old city, where the layers of the past remain clearly visible in both its architecture and daily life. Known as the “Temple of the Great Stupa,” the site brings together what were once three separate temples, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham, and Wat Sukmin, into a single complex that has served as a religious and civic landmark for more than six centuries.

Wat Phan Tao is a small but historically rich temple located along Prapokklao Road in the center of Chiang Mai’s old city. Although it sits beside the much larger Wat Chedi Luang, it holds a distinct identity shaped by craftsmanship, royal history, and quiet religious life. The temple was once part of Wat Chedi Luang in the fifteenth century, and its name, meaning “temple of a thousand furnaces”, reflects its early role as a place where Buddha images were cast using multiple hearths and melting pots.

Wat Buppharam is a Buddhist temple located along Tha Phae Road in the heart of Chiang Mai. It was founded in 1497 during the reign of King Mueang Kaeo, making it one of the city’s older religious sites. The temple later became historically significant when Kawila, the leader who helped reclaim Chiang Mai after nearly two centuries of Burmese rule, began his ceremonial circumambulation of the city here as part of the reoccupation rites.

Wat Mahawan is a Buddhist temple along Thaphae Road, just outside the eastern edge of Chiang Mai’s old city. It was founded in the 17th century during the period of Burmese rule, established by Burmese traders involved in the teak industry, likely on the site of an earlier temple. While most of the structures standing today date from the 19th century or later, the temple still reflects its origins through a clear blend of Burmese and Lanna traditions.