Anusawari Sam Kasat (Three Kings Monument)
Marking the centrepoint of the old administrative quarter of Chiang Mai, the bronze Three Kings Monument commemorates the alliance forged between Phaya…
Must-see attractions in Chiang Mai
- Matsayit Ban Haw
A remnant from when Chiang Mai was a detour on the Silk Road, the largest Thai-Muslim mosque in the city is attended by a small, prosperous community of…
- Chiang Mai University
The main campus of Chiang Mai's famous public university occupies a 2.9-sq-km wedge of land about 2km west of the city centre, partly covered by forest…
- Former Chiang Mai Women's Prison
The derelict premises of the old women's prison are a surprising landmark in the old city. The place was slated for demolition after the prison's closure…
- Ginger Farm
Head about 20 minutes south of Chiang Mai proper to visit Ginger Farm's verdant rice paddies, vegetable gardens, farm animals and rustic cafe. Catering to…
- Wat Umong Maha Therachan
This historic wát is in the heart of the old city. Though it was first constructed in 1367 and boasts some very old, Lanna-style chedis, it's also worth a…
- Chinese Cemetery
Tucked away on a quiet soi behind the National Museum, this peaceful cemetery is lined with elegant Chinese gravestones, whose level of ornamentation…
- Anusawari Singh
Just beyond Rte 11 in the north of the city, these two stucco lions were built by Chao Kavila to scare off would-be Burmese invaders. Seemingly forgotten…
- Wat Duang Di
This colourful, 16th-century wát's name means 'good fortune temple'. It was first constructed in the 16th century, but its massive wooden doors date from…
- Wat Saen Fang
A large and colourful wát with an impressive, mosaic-tiled chedi that blends Burmese and Lanna styles. The chedi is guarded by lion figures and an old…
- Chiang Mai University Art Center
The Faculty of Fine Arts displays temporary exhibitions of contemporary Thai and international artists at its own gallery near the Th Nimmanhaemin/Th…
- Museum of World Insects & Natural Wonders
Thailand's giant butterflies and creepy crawlies are showcased at this little museum operated by a malaria researcher and his entomologist wife. In…
- Iron Bridge
This picturesque steel bridge looks old but is actually a modern creation, built as a homage to the old Nawarat Bridge, which was demolished in the 1970s…
- Namdhari Sikh Temple
Chinatown is also home to a small population of Sikh migrants from Myanmar who specialize in selling bolts of fabric. They worship at the nearby Namdhari…
- Wat Lam Chang
This large and colourful wát's name means 'shackled elephants' because it was where the king's transport elephants were kept. You'll find elephant statues…
- Devi Mandir Chiang Mai
The more colourful of Chiang Mai's two Hindu temples is the brightly painted mandir (traditional shrine room) and the sikhara (tower) of Devi Mandir…
- Treasury Pavilion Coin Museum
It's worth ducking into this small government museum to see the bizarre shapes that Thai money has taken over the years, from hammered coins to round…
- Wat Ou Sai Kham
This friendly neighbourhood wát is a monument to jade, with an impressive collection of jade Buddhas and jade and nephrite boulders in the main wí·hăhn.
- Pratu Chang Pheuak
The 'Elephant Gate' is the north gate of the old city. A morning fresh market and nighttime food stalls set up daily just outside the gate.
- Wat Upakhut
A large and colourful wát that comes alive for Dhevo Rohana, a merit-making ceremony during Auk Phansa (Buddhist Lent).