Wat Phrathat Doi
15km (9mi) west of the city, this temple, 1,156m (3,520ft) above sea level on Suthep Mountain, overlooking the city from its forested backdrop, is one of Chiang Mai's most important landmarks. It dates from 1383 and has holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world come throughout the year. To reach it one can chose the hard way and climb a steep Naga staircase comprising around 300 steps; the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars.
Wat Phra Singh
This temple on Sam Lan Road dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Singh image. Also on the temple compound is the Lai Kham chapel with exquisite wood carvings and murals and a scripture repository with striking reliefs.
Wat Suan Dok
This temple on Suthep Road, built in the 14th century, is a favorite spot for photographers, particularly during sunset. Several of the white Chedis contain ashes of local royals. The 500 year old bronze Buddha in a secondary chapels is one of northern Thailand's largest metal images.
Wat Chiang Man
This Wat on Ratchaphakhinai Road is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. It first served as residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai. It is noteworthy for a Chedi supported by rows of elephant buttresses, and a small, ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeo Khao.
Wat Chedi Luang
The temple on Phra Pokklao Road is the site of an enormous destroyed pagoda, originally 85m (280ft) high, which collapsed during an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now found in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. One of Wat Chedi Luang's most striking architectural features is a Naga staircase adorning the main chapel's front porch.
Wat Bupharam
Wat Bupharam on Thapae Road features two fine Viharas. The smaller one, built some 300 years ago, is decorated with beautiful wood carvings. Some of the buildings on the Wat compound are stuffed with Buddha images.
Wat Ku Tao
Wat Ku Tao on Chotana Road is located in a pleasant garden compound with a number of religious buildings in unusual shape. The Wat dates back to 1613.
Wat Thapae
Wat Thapae on Thapae Road is richly decorated with wood and stone carvings. It is a rather typical Northern Thai Wat, featuring most of the style elements defining Burmese-influenced temple architecture in Thailand.
Wat Mengrai
Wat Mengrai in the South of Chiang Mai is named after the city's founder and first ruler. The main attraction is a richly ornamented gate.
Wat Jed Yod
Jed Yod means Seven Spires - a reference to the Wat's Chedi of unusual shape - a Chedi with seven spires. The Wat lies in the outskirts of the city, in northwesterly direction from the center. The seven-spired Chedi is suppost to be a copy of a former Pagoda at Bagan, Myanmar.
Wat Mengrai
Wat Mengrai in the South of Chiang Mai is named after the city's founder and first ruler. The main attraction is a richly ornamented gate.
