October 31, 2022, 4:58 am | Read time: 4 minutes
One thing you shouldn’t try when visiting Chiang Mai: seeing all the temples. There are simply too many. The city in northern Thailand has 200 such places–and numerous other attractions. TRAVELBOOK has all the tips.
Chiang Mai, also known as the “Rose of the North,” is a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand. The city not only attracts with various sights such as temples and museums but also serves as a starting point for popular northern Thailand tours, such as to Pai and Mae Hong Son or to the Golden Triangle at the border area with Laos and Myanmar.
More tips and inspiration about Chiang Mai are provided by TRAVELBOOK author Sonja Koller in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minutes Around the World:
Overview
Popular Attractions in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the city’s landmark and so impressive that you should take your time visiting. It is said that a white elephant is “responsible” for the temple’s founding. Here’s how it happened: A monk, as the story goes, brought a relic of Buddha to the Wat Suan Dok temple in 1371. But this relic suddenly split–and because there were concerns about keeping both parts in one place, the second part was tied to the back of the mentioned elephant and set free. The animal seemed to know where to go. When it reached Mount Doi Suthep, it trumpeted. And died. The temple was built right there, where the relic has been housed ever since. A statue of the elephant can be seen in the temple’s courtyard.
Also interesting: Road trip through Thailand’s mountainous north
Wat Chiang Man
In the Wat Chiang Man temple, a crystal Buddha from the 7th century is one of the attractions. It is only about four inches tall and made of rock crystal. Another Buddha measures 12 inches and comes from present-day Sri Lanka. It is said that the statue has the ability to bring rain.
Wat Phra Singh
Stone lions guard the Wat Phra Singh temple west of the center in Chiang Mai’s old town. They watch over the Phra Puttha Sihing Buddha statue, which holds special significance. It is housed in the Viharn Lai Kham, a wooden building from 1345. The wall paintings inside the building are also impressive.
Wat Chiang Yuen
Wat Chiang Yuen, north of the old city wall, is also famous. It was the national temple of the Chiang Mai kingdom. The king himself would come there before his coronation to pray before the Buddha statue for a successful reign.
National Museum
Anyone interested in history should definitely visit the National Museum in Chiang Mai. It was personally opened in 1973 by King Bhumibol (died Oct. 13, 2016) and Queen Sirikit and expanded in 1996. What you can see is impressive: You learn fascinating things about the Lan Na Kingdom, of which Chiang Mai was founded as the capital in 1296. Attractions include a wooden throne of the kings of Chiang Mai, a palanquin, and a two-meter-high Buddha footprint from 1726. It is adorned with mother-of-pearl.
Highland People Discovery Museum
The Highland People Discovery Museum, formerly the Tribal Museum, is also worth a visit. Here you can learn a lot about the hill tribes living in northern Thailand. Exhibits include traditional costumes of the hill tribes, jewelry, and other handicrafts.
Night Market
Another highlight in Chiang Mai is the popular night market. In addition to the usual sunglasses, suitcases, and T-shirts, you can also buy handicraft products from the hill tribes, such as woven textiles and silver jewelry.
Handicraft Businesses
Anyone interested in handicrafts should also check out the small factories around Chiang Mai. There, silverware, paper art, wooden furniture, leather goods, fabrics, and much more are produced. You can watch the artists at work and, of course, buy the products.
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Map: Location of Chiang Mai
Current Weather in Chiang Mai
(Text: Silke Böttcher)