by IBcaldera / [CC BY-SA 4.0
A City of More Than Seven Hundred Temples, Surrounded by Lush Mountains
Table of Contents
A. About Chiang Mai
Nickname: Rose of the NorthWith more than seven hundred temples and surrounded by lush mountains, the historical capital of the old Lanna Kingdom is a spectacular city.
Colorful markets, spellbinding Buddhist temples, and beyond its boundaries natural perfection and animal wildlife characterize Thailand's second-best city.
➕ The Good
First of all, Chiang Mai delights visitors with friendly, welcoming people.
Furthermore, the prices are very affordable, the city is very safe and enjoys a scenic location.
Finally, there is plenty of delicious food in Chiang Mai.
➖ Negative Aspects
With only around 150,000 inhabitants, Chiang Mai is a small city.
B. Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai in 2025 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than thirty sights in Chiang Mai. The following sights and attractions contribute to a fine score of 6.40/10 in this most important category:
# Wat Phra Singh 7
Situated at the heart of the old city, this beautiful Buddhist temple and monastery was founded in the 14th century.
by Stefan Fussan / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 6
Dating back to 1383, this Buddhist temple near the summit of the mountain known as Doi Suthep occupies an extraordinary site and is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand.
by Tevaprapas / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Wat Chedi Luang 6
Known as the Temple of the Big Stupa, this majestic Buddhist temple was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1545 but remains highly remarkable today.
by JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Wat Suan Dok 6
Situated in the West of Chiang Mai this temple is famous for its numerous pagodas and white chedis and was once used as a royal flower garden.
by KOSIN SUKHUM / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Old City of Chiang Mai 5
Bordered by moats and ancient ramparts, the atmospheric old city of Chiang Mai measures approximately 1.5km square and is home to temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang and the Sunday Walking Street.
by Takeaway / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Wat Chiang Man 5
Constructed in the year 1297 by the city's founder, King Mengrai, this Buddhist temple is home to the oldest Buddha statue in Chiang Mai.
by Leo Zaza / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Wat Phan Tao 5
Originally a throne room for the kings of Chiang Mai, this 14th-century temple is known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordination hall (Wihan) entirely made of teakwood.
by Stefan Fussan / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Chiang Mai National Museum 4
Opened in 1973, this fine museum highlights the history of the Kingdom of Lanna and Chiang Mai city’s history.
by Disthan / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Wat Pha Lat 4
Towering more than one thousand meters above Chiang halfway up to Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat is famous for a large and ornate temple near its summit.
by Stefan Fussan / CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 | Wat Chet Yot 4
Literally the "Temple of the Seven Spires," the impressive Chet Yot temple is located northwest of the city center and known for its Indian-inspired architecture.
by Hdamm / CC BY-SA 3.0
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Chiang Mai
White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) 6
The spectacular ivory-white Wat Rong Khun is a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple constructed by the Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Temple Distance from Chiang Mai: 177 km
by Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 4.0
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Chiang Mai for at least two entire days.