“9 Temples in Chiang Mai” One-Day Trip!

Ready for a 9-Temple One-Day Trip in Chiang Mai? 

We’ve planned the route from Temple No. 1 to Temple No. 9 in an easy-to-follow order, so you can explore at your own pace. You can walk through the charming Old City or hop on one of Chiang Mai’s iconic red songthaews (red shared taxis) whenever you need a ride.

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Our first check-in point is Tha Phae Gate, one of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks and the perfect place to start the day.

From there, let’s spend the day discovering beautiful temples, making merit, and enjoying the unique atmosphere of Chiang Mai along the way. Ready? Let’s explore 9 temples in Chiang Mai in one day!

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Temple No. 1: Wat Buppharam

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Let’s start our 9-temple journey at Wat Buppharam, a beautiful historic temple along Tha Phae Road. One of the things that makes this temple so special is its distinctive blend of Lanna and Burmese architectural influences, creating a unique atmosphere that’s well worth experiencing.

Take your time to pay respects to the temple’s sacred Buddha images and admire Phra Buddha Naresuan Sak Chai Phairi Phinat, along with centuries-old teak Buddha images. Another must-see is the impressive two-storey Ho Monthian Tham, beautifully designed in an applied Lanna architectural style.

Here’s a fun fact for movie fans: Wat Buppharam was also featured as a filming location in the popular movie “Lost in Thailand.” It has since become a favorite stop for international visitors—and a great place to snap a few photos!

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✨ Highlights: Two-storey Ho Monthian Tham • Lanna–Burmese architecture • Centuries-old teak Buddha images
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/26pWjbRMGasZYejT6
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–8:00 PM

Temple No. 2: Wat Mahawan

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From Wat Buppharam, let’s make our way back toward Tha Phae Gate and stop at Wat Mahawan, a charming historic temple along Tha Phae Road. Though relatively small, the temple is full of character, with a beautiful blend of Burmese and Lanna art and architecture.

One of the first things you’ll notice is the elegant white Burmese-style chedi, which can easily be spotted from Tha Phae Road. Step inside to explore the traditional Lanna-style viharn and pay your respects to “Phra Chao To,” one of the temple’s sacred Buddha images, for blessings and good fortune along your journey. 

Don’t miss the beautiful entrance arch, decorated with a Buddha image and an intricately crafted pair of Burmese-style guardian lions. It’s another lovely spot to stop for a photo before continuing our temple-hopping adventure. 

Despite being close to the lively Tha Phae area, Wat Mahawan has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. It’s easy to reach, doesn’t take long to explore, and admission is free—perfect for our one-day temple route!

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✨ Highlights: White Burmese-style chedi • Lanna-style viharn • Phra Chao To • Burmese-style entrance and guardian lions
📍 Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/26pWjbRMGasZYejT6
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–8:00 PM

Temple No. 3: Wat Saen Fang

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Next, let’s head to Wat Saen Fang, a historic temple tucked away in the heart of Chiang Mai near the Tha Phae area. Just follow the small connecting lane from the main road, and you’ll soon find yourself stepping away from the busy streets into a much more peaceful setting.

Wat Saen Fang is especially beautiful for its distinctive blend of Burmese and Lanna artistic influences. The star of the temple is its magnificent golden chedi, inspired by Burmese architectural traditions, decorated with intricate details that look even more impressive when they catch the sunlight. Definitely have your camera ready for this one! 

Take a little time to wander around the chedi and viharn, enjoy the shady surroundings, and soak up the temple’s peaceful atmosphere. Despite being right in the city, it feels wonderfully calm and full of historic charm—a perfect place to slow down before we continue to our next temple.

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✨ Highlights: Golden chedi • Burmese–Lanna architecture • Intricate decorative details • Peaceful and shady atmosphere
📍 Location: https://share.google/BIHDZowTYYnwKgBxR
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM

Temple No. 4: Wat Chiang Man

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Our fourth stop is Wat Chiang Man, a must-visit when exploring Chiang Mai’s Old City. Dating back to the time of King Mengrai, it is known as the first temple established in Chiang Mai and is a wonderful place to discover the city’s rich history and traditional Lanna architecture.

One of the highlights is the beautiful Elephant Chedi, an ancient stupa surrounded by elephant sculptures that appear to support the structure—a truly unique sight and a great photo spot! 

The temple is also home to Phra Kaeo Khao (the White Crystal Buddha), a highly revered Buddha image. Take a moment to pay your respects, make a wish, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before continuing our temple-hopping journey. 

Don’t rush off too quickly! Wander around the temple grounds and admire the traditional Lanna-style architecture. With its historic charm and tranquil surroundings, Wat Chiang Man offers a lovely glimpse into Chiang Mai’s fascinating past.

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✨ Highlights: Elephant Chedi • White Crystal Buddha • Traditional Lanna architecture • Chiang Mai’s first temple
📍 Location: https://share.google/LbnGWJyrnVLwjQnUO
👗 Dress code: Please dress respectfully. Tops with sleeves are recommended, and avoid overly short or revealing clothing, as this is a sacred place.
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 5:00 AM–7:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free

Temple No. 7: Wat Phan Tao

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Next, let’s make our way to Wat Phan Tao, another charming historic temple in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old City.

The highlight here is its beautiful teakwood viharn, one of the city’s remarkable examples of traditional Lanna wooden architecture. With its elegant timber structure and intricate wood carvings, the temple has a wonderfully peaceful and timeless atmosphere. 

Compared with some of Chiang Mai’s more ornate golden temples, Wat Phan Tao feels warm, simple, and serene. Take a closer look at the beautiful wooden details, pay your respects inside, and enjoy a quiet moment before continuing our temple-hopping adventure. 

It’s a relatively compact temple, so it’s an easy stop to explore—and there are some lovely spots for photos too! 

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✨ Highlights: Teakwood viharn • Traditional Lanna architecture • Intricate wood carvings • Peaceful Old City atmosphere
📍 Location:https://share.google/f3SUw46IK291ESsCg
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free

Temple No. 8: Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan

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Just a short walk from Wat Phan Tao brings us to Wat Chedi Luang, one of Chiang Mai’s most iconic historic temples and an absolute must-see in the Old City.

With more than 600 years of history, the temple is best known for the magnificent Chedi Luang, a massive ancient pagoda rising dramatically in the heart of the Old City. Even after centuries of change, its impressive scale and weathered beauty still offer a fascinating glimpse into the glory of the ancient Lanna Kingdom.

Take your time walking around the chedi, admiring its historic architecture, and stopping by the main viharn to pay your respects and make a wish. If you can, visit in the late afternoon when the softer sunlight creates a beautiful atmosphere around the ancient chedi—perfect for photos! 

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✨ Highlights: Chedi Luang • Monumental ancient pagoda • Lanna architecture • One of Chiang Mai Old City’s iconic landmarks
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/je2zaPmxeiZshuAN8
🕐 Opening: Daily, 5:00 AM–10:30 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free for Thai visitors • 50 THB for foreign visitors

Temple No. 9: Wat Sri Suphan (The Silver Temple)

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And we’ve made it to our final stop! Let’s wrap up our 9-temple journey at Wat Sri Suphan, better known as Chiang Mai’s Silver Temple. Located in the traditional Wua Lai silversmith community, this temple is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.

The star attraction is the spectacular Silver Ubosot, designed in traditional Lanna style and covered with incredibly detailed handcrafted metalwork created by local artisans. Take a closer look and you’ll find intricate patterns and stories beautifully engraved across the building. 

If you can, save this temple for the late afternoon or evening. Once the lights come on and reflect across the silver-colored surfaces, the temple takes on a completely different atmosphere—making it a beautiful finale to our Chiang Mai One-Day Trip! 

One important thing to know before visiting: according to the temple’s traditional Lanna customs, women are not permitted to enter the interior of the Silver Ubosot. However, everyone is welcome to admire its craftsmanship and take photos from outside. 

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✨ Highlights: Silver Ubosot • Handcrafted Wua Lai metalwork • Lanna architecture • Beautiful evening atmosphere
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MAmrycuzrfAdD7Nc9
⚠️ Please note: According to temple tradition, women are not permitted inside the Silver Ubosot
🕐 Opening hours: Daily, 5:00 AM–10:30 PM
🎟️ Admission: Adults 50 THB / Children 20 THB