If you want to visit 5 temples in Chiang Mai in one day, you need to plan your itinerary carefully. Chiang Mai is a city with a rich cultural and religious heritage, and there are many temples to choose from. Here are some suggestions for a temple tour that covers the most famous and impressive ones.
1. Start your day at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most iconic temple in Chiang Mai. It is located on a mountain overlooking the city, and you can reach it by taking a songthaew (a shared taxi) from the old city. The temple is famous for its golden chedi, its beautiful murals, and its panoramic views of the city. You can also see the relics of the Buddha enshrined in the temple.
2. Next, head to Wat Phra Singh, one of the most important temples in the old city. It was built in the 14th century and houses a revered Buddha image called Phra Singh (Lion Buddha). The temple also features a magnificent assembly hall, a library, and a museum. You can admire the intricate carvings, paintings, and decorations that adorn the temple.
3. From Wat Phra Singh, you can walk to Wat Chedi Luang, another prominent temple in the old city. It was once the home of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. The temple is known for its massive chedi (stupa) that was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 16th century. You can also visit the Viharn Lai Kham, a chapel that houses a replica of the Emerald Buddha.
4. After Wat Chedi Luang, you can take a short ride to Wat Umong, a unique forest temple outside the city walls. It was built in the 13th century and features a series of tunnels with Buddha images and paintings inside. The temple is surrounded by trees and ponds, and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and feed the fish and turtles.
5. Finally, end your day at Wat Suan Dok, a royal temple near the airport. It was built in the 14th century as a garden for a king, and later became a monastery and a school for monks. The temple has a large open-air chedi that contains the ashes of several kings of Chiang Mai. You can also see a group of white pagoda that house the ashes of members of the royal family.
Travel options for visiting temples in Chiang Mai
If you want to explore temples in Chiang Mai like a local, you have several options to get around the city and its surroundings. The most common and convenient way is to rent a motorbike, which gives you the freedom and flexibility to go wherever you want. You can find many rental shops around the old city and the night bazaar, offering different models and prices. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license and wear a helmet at all times.
Another option is to use the public transportation system, which consists of songthaews, tuk-tuks, and buses. Songthaews(name for local people) are red trucks with two rows of seats in the back, that operate like shared taxis. You can flag them down anywhere along their routes and tell the driver where you want to go. The fare depends on the distance and the number of passengers, but it usually ranges from 20 to 40 baht per person. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled vehicles that can take you to any destination within the city, but they are more expensive than songthaews and you need to negotiate the price before getting in.
