Wat Chedi Luang

Very centrally located in the city. 50baht per person entry fee. You may spend up to 60mins in here. The restored central ruins is very fascinating. Suggest to come here just before sunset to look at the ruins with the lights.

Wat Chedi Luang is one of the most historic and striking temples in Chiang Mai, and I personally liked it more than some of the others I visited. It wasn’t crowded at all, which made the experience peaceful and enjoyable. You can also see young monks practicing their English with visitors, which is a fun and friendly part of the visit. The temple dates back to the 14th–15th century and was once home to one of the tallest chedis (stupas) in the old Lanna Kingdom — originally reaching about 82 meters high before it was damaged by an earthquake in the 16th century. In its heyday, the chedi even housed the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha image, before it was moved to Luang Prabang and later to Bangkok. The temple grounds also include beautiful viharns (assembly halls) and relics, and there’s a city pillar shrine believed to protect Chiang Mai spiritually. One of the highlights for many visitors is the chance to take part in daily “monk chats,” where novice monks practice English and answer questions about Buddhism and Thai culture. Overall, it’s a fascinating mix of history, architecture, and local culture — and definitely worth a stop if you’re exploring the Old City.

Absolutely breathtaking, especially at night! Wat Chedi Luang Varaviharn is one of the most beautiful temples I’ve ever visited. The golden details on the main viharn (chapel) shimmer under the evening lights, creating a magical and peaceful atmosphere. The craftsmanship of the carvings and decorations is simply stunning — every inch feels like a work of art. At night, the contrast between the softly lit golden temple and the ancient brick chedi behind it makes the whole complex feel timeless. You can quietly walk around, take in the history, and feel a deep sense of calm. Inside, the golden Buddha statues and ornate columns glow beautifully — it’s a serene and spiritual experience. If you’re in Chiang Mai, I highly recommend visiting after sunset. It’s quieter, cooler, and the temple looks absolutely mesmerizing under the night sky. A perfect spot for reflection, photography, and appreciating the beauty of Thai architecture and culture. 🌕✨

50 bht to get in. 100 bht to hire a sarong to cover knees. The ladies providing these are some of the rudest people I have ever come across in Thailand. They threw the sarong at me when I hired, when I took it back I put it down on the table to look for my return card, they started yelling at me in Thai and making furious hand motions trying to tell me to fold it up. I was completely dumb struck that this woman was having such a strong reaction but also, when I initially hired there was a massive pile just dumped on the desk so I’m not sure why I was being yelled at. I handed over the card, got my money back and got out of there as quickly as possible. Such a bad look for the northern thais who I have found to be the most welcoming friendliest people in Thailand as a whole besides this cranky young woman. Not to mention this attitude inside of a temple which is considered to be such a sacred place is really off putting! I wish I could rate the temples and service seperate however it was not a relaxing or spiritual experience being treated this way upon both arrival and departure of the temple. The rest of the temple experience was absolutely spectacular. I went at night so there were far less people and the whole place was lit up beautifully. There’s a lot to explore and doesn’t feel like you’re in the middle of the hustling bustling Chiang Mai. Definitely recommend. Maybe just take your own sarongs!

This is one of the most impressive and historically significant temple complexes in the city. The absolute highlight is the central chedi (stupa), a colossal structure that, even partially in ruins after an earthquake centuries ago, demonstrates the grandeur of the ancient Lanna kingdom. It's incredible to think that this structure once housed the famous Emerald Buddha. The complex is large and features other very beautiful and well-preserved halls, as well as housing the city pillar (Sao Inthakhin). It is a must-visit. For foreign tourists, entry to the complex costs 50 baht per person. Payment must be made in cash.

Lovely place. There is always something special about old places of worship and this one is no different. Its a great place to just sit and exisit. With the wanderings of people and monks, the ringing of gongs and periodic chanting from monks. I would recommend having a look. 800 years or sonof history. Small 50b entry fee.

Small admission fee is worth it! The temple complex is much more than the ruins, which still look stunning. You can spend quite a lot of time checking out everything. A lot of ppl but not too much crowded.

This is really spotlight in Chiang Mai Old City. Giant architecture with primitive material, making it an ancient look. There are also several small temples around in this area which are worth visiting. The entrance ticket price is THB 50 for foreigners. In the morning you can wait outside to see monks collecting alms. The white wall background with giant trees will make spectacular pictures.