Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man in Chiang Mai is the city’s oldest temple, founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. It houses the marble Buddha, one of the city’s oldest images, and the stone elephants at the base of the main chedi are surprisingly expressive. Smaller shrines feature intricate carvings that reflect Lanna craftsmanship, and the quiet courtyards make it easy to pause and take in the details without feeling rushed. Less crowded than the bigger temples nearby, it’s perfect for a reflective morning visit and a glimpse into Chiang Mai’s rich history.

Very beautiful temple that's absolutely worth a visit while in the city. The grounds of the temple have many manicured shrubs in the shape of little elephants that are absolutely adorable. The ornate, stone elephants are incredible to take in. You'll find yourself stopping and observing the finer details and rich history of everything around the temple. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes walking through it all.

Small but very picturesque temple that's worth your time for a visit. No tickets required. Very calm and quiet, you can take your time and explore its grounds. You can get some pretty nice shots during the golden hours.

This Wat with its tunnel, fish feeding and Ashoka pillar grabbed my interest instantly. Each moment there was like I was building a connection with the place. Peace, greenery and quiet worship. One thing I noticed, all the Buddha statues are similar. Peacefully serene and calmly meditative.

For me i may be biased with my temple reviews because the ones i do review i like. I love the architecture and colors and size of everything. Worth stopping by on your temple quest and adding it to your route. ultimately you want to experience everything! enjoy and make sure you take off your shoes inside a temple.

Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, and stepping inside feels like taking a quiet walk back in time. The grounds are beautifully maintained with peaceful gardens, ornate halls, and the iconic Elephant Chedi, where life-sized stone elephants appear to be carrying the base of the stupa. The viharns (assembly halls) are stunning with intricate Lanna-style woodwork, golden details, and ancient Buddha images, including the famous Crystal Buddha and Marble Buddha, each with their own fascinating history. It’s a serene place, far less crowded than some other temples, which makes it perfect for slow exploration and quiet reflection. Located in the heart of the old city, it’s easy to reach and only requires a modest dress code (shoulders and knees covered). There’s no entrance fee, but donations are welcome to help maintain this cultural treasure. Wat Chiang Man is a gem for history lovers and anyone wanting to see the roots of Chiang Mai’s spiritual heritage.

The place is very serene and beautifully maintained. You can walk around the stupa and explore the wat also. The wat had table fans for sitting and relaxing inside. The Buddha and the architecture also reminded me of Laos.

A serene temple. Been living in town for almost a year and I had just set foot in this temple. It’s not a huge complex, but so quiet, well-maintained, and charming. I saw some photos taken during winter when flowers were still blooming, this place looked definitely charming. I went here during summer in May, still a great experience to just have a reflection and chill time for a while