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Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is one of the most famous and beautiful temples in Chiang Mai. It is located right in the old city center and immediately stands out with its golden stupa and ornate buildings full of ...
Wat Suthep
Atop the mountain near Chiang Mai lies Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, commonly called Wat Suthep. Of course, it’s a popular tourist attraction, but it’s also a favorite spot for locals who come to pray for health, prosperity, and even to win the lottery. The temple is just outside the city, but it still takes about half an hour to get there via a wide, well-paved three-lane road. If you take a taxi (Bolt/Grab), expect to pay around 300 THB. For a budget option, head to the North Gate on the outside of the city walls, where the red taxis wait until they’re full and then drive you up for 50–100 THB per person. The exact price depends on how full the taxi is before departure.
For the sporty ones: you can also reach Wat Suthep via the so-called Monk’s Trail. This hike starts about 3 to 4 km west of the city (you can find the starting point on Google Maps). The bonus halfway up is Wat Pha Lat, a beautiful and serene jungle temple that sees few tourists. It takes about 2 hours to reach the top. You can take a red taxi back down.
Once at the top, you still have a long staircase to climb, but this will bring you to the level of 'enlightenment', which is exactly what Suthep means.
If you go by scooter, consider driving for another half hour after visiting Wat Suthep. The road gets narrower and narrower until you reach a village with a dozen coffee shops: coffee is grown high up in the mountains. In January, the Sakura trees bloom, making it well worth a visit — especially for your Instagram photos.
