This is the pearl of Chang Mai – a temple founded in 1345, but mostly rebuilt in the 19C in the Lan Na style, which is characterised by its richly decorated wood carvings. Wat Phra Singh houses a number of treasures: take time to admire the splendid ..

When he founded his “new town” in the late 13C, King Mengrai protected it with walls, most of which have disappeared, and a deep moat. The moat still surrounds the old city, where around 30 temples, still busy with monks and worshippers, bear witness..

With their bustling, lively atmosphere, the temples at Chiang Mai are always a hive of activity. In Wat Phan Tao, you’ll be struck by the delicate wood carvings in the wihan , where local woodworkers have surpassed themselves in their use of teak, t..

Although partly destroyed by an earthquake, the majestic chedi of Wat Chedi Luang still stands at a height of 60m (compared with its original 90m) and is still the tallest chedi in Chiang Mai. The staircase is guarded by two terrifying, monumental ..

Wat Chiang Mien was built by the city’s founder, King Mengrai, which makes it the oldest temple in Chiang Mai (13C). Thais come here to honour the two treasures housed in the temple. A very old rock-crystal statuette of Buddha , which is said to hav..

Wat Suan Dok is, perhaps, the most bucolic of Chiang Mai’s temples, as it was built in the 14C in the gardens of King Mengrai. Behind its high walls you’ll find a forest of white bell-shaped chedi , similar to those found in Sukhothai, containing th..

This temple will come as something of a surprise to those visitors arriving from Sukhothai or Ayutthaya who have become used to seeing chedi in the shape of a bell or crowned with a lotus bud spire. In fact, the square-shaped chedi at the Wat Che..

This museum is devoted to the history of the Lan Na kingdom, the art and culture of Northern Thailand, as well as the traditional activities of mountain tribes (the Hmong, Lahu, Yao, ethnic groups which originated in China, and Lissu, from Burma). Ex..

A feast for the eyes awaits visitors to this night market selling a huge range of regional arts and crafts, in particular superb silk stoles and a whole host of items made from teak. If you’re hungry, the numerous cheap stalls and restaurants offer m..

Like the night bazaar, the Warorot market is also worth a visit if you’re in search of a little more authenticity, as it caters more to Thais than to tourists. Villagers, often in traditional costume, sell their wares here, including fruit, vegetable..