Chiang Mai Thai Buddhist Temples
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Gatekaram and Wat Jed Yod
A guide to some of the famous Buddhist temples around Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Northern Thailand is beautiful and relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a wonderful old walled city that is worth a visit to see some of the nearby temples. Here's a quick guide:
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
This most important temple of Chiang Mai is located on the mountain Doi Suthep, which is about nine miles away from the city and can be accessed by bus or taxi. Buddhist pilgrimages regularly descend upon this temple during religious holidays. A steep stairway leads to the temple and there are also spectacular views from the top. The temple itself is full of well-preserved buildings covered in gold leaf and ornately decorated. Ancient Buddha relics from when the temple was originally built in the 14th Century are housed in the giant golden chedi. Beautiful murals also line some walls. One annoyance about this place is the aggressive tourist touts.
Wat Gate Karam
For a less touristy temple try this one which is also known as Wat Gate. It's located outside the wall to the east, near the Wororot Market and over the Ping River. Historically the riverbank in front of the temple was the old port of Chiang Mai until the early 1900s. Because it was on the old port the area surrounding the temple has foreign influences from India, China and Portugal. Inside the temple itself is some interesting architecture including a rare five-gabled prayer hall, most have only three. There is also a museum which houses century-old photographs of old Chiang Mai.
Wat Jed Yod
For an escape from the crowds at some of the more popular temples, this large but relatively unknown temple is worth a visit. Named for its unusual seven-peaked chedi it was built as a copy of the Indian Mahabodi Temple in the 15th Century. Several of the chedis have original intricate relief carvings on the exterior walls. Located outside of the wall to the northwest of the city, it's next to the National Museum.
Click to read about other Chiang Mai temples: Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat UMong
Getting to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
By train: Trains take about 12 hours, there are three daily trains and one is overnight.
By plane: Thai Airways makes regular flights daily
Practical tips
Temples are holy places and should be treated with respect to the local customs. You must be dressed modestly (no shorts or bare shoulders) and remove your shoes before entering the holy areas.
More Buddhist sites: Visiting Amdo Tibet
