Three Kings Monument
A ten-minute stop in the Old City that tells you who founded Chiang Mai, and it costs nothing.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Three Kings Monument
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Three Kings Monument.
Why go, and how to do it well
Ten minutes is about right here, and that's not a criticism. Three bronze kings stand in the middle of an open plaza in the Old City. They're Mengrai of Lanna, Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and Ngam Muang of Phayao, the alliance that gets credit for founding Chiang Mai. The sculpting is realist and detailed, worth walking a full circle around rather than shooting from one spot and moving on.
Go early or late in the day. Reviewers who turned up under strong midday sun complained the glare flattened out the faces and gestures, and the plaza has trees and benches that make a morning or late-afternoon stop far more pleasant. The square earns its keep on big dates too. Thai dance performances and ceremonies happen here around holidays and the new year countdown, and that's when the place stops being a photo stop and becomes something worth staying for. It's busiest during Yi Peng, the November lantern festival, when the city holds its opening and lantern-lighting ceremonies on the plaza.
Treat it as the pin in the middle of your Old City walk. The Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre sits right by it, and the temples and markets inside the moat are all within walking distance.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Three Kings Monument
SponsoredSearch Chiang Mai hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.
See hotels near Three Kings MonumentOpens Booking.com with your dates
Tours that include Three Kings Monument
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Three Kings Monument.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Three Kings Monument, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minChiang Mai City Arts & Cultural CentreTemples & Culture · 50 m · 4.5★
- 1 minWat Inthakhin Sadue MuangTemples & Culture · 60 m · 4.6★
- 1 minGallery Drip Coffee Chiang MaiRestaurants & Food · 70 m · 4.8★
- 1 minLanna Folklife CentreTemples & Culture · 110 m · 4.3★
- 2 minGlyn Chiangmai Thai CuisineRestaurants & Food · 120 m · 4.9★
- 2 minWingman Music BarNightlife & Bars · 120 m · 4.7★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Three Kings Monument, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai is a must-visit landmark in the Old City, commemorating the city’s founding. The bronze statues of King Mengrai, King Ramkhamhaeng, and King Ngam Muang stand proudly in a peaceful plaza surrounded by trees and benches. It’s easy to stroll around and admire the detailed craftsmanship up close. The plaza is especially nice in the morning or late afternoon when it’s quieter, perfect for photos and soaking in a bit of history. Free to visit, it’s a short but meaningful stop that gives insight into Chiang Mai’s heritage.
A site that is exciting with the story behind the place. A large square in the middle of the old city that allows for relaxation amidst the fast pace of life in the city.
It's well sculpted monument in realist Style. Since sun was strong I could not capture the finer nuances and gestures of the interactive figures.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 9,019 reviews on Google.
QXRP+3WX, Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 2 min walk of Three Kings Monument.
Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
A highly accessible museum tracing Chiang Mai's Lanna Kingdom origins, with multilingual exhibits and a 20 Baht entry fee.
Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang
A compact Lanna-style Buddhist temple marking the historic site of Chiang Mai's original sacred city pillar.
Lanna Folklife Centre
A well-organized museum introducing Lanna heritage, housed opposite the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai's old city.
Wat Duang Di
A peaceful northern Thai Buddhist temple on Ratchapakhinai Road, valued for its authentic atmosphere and traditional Lanna architecture.
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Three Kings Monument: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Three Kings Monument worth visiting?
Three Kings Monument holds a 4.3★ rating from 9,019 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Three Kings Monument?
Three Kings Monument is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Three Kings Monument?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Three Kings Monument located?
Three Kings Monument is at QXRP+3WX, Prapokklao Road, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).
Also popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
No riding and no tricks, just a day of feeding and mud with rescued elephants in the Mae Wang hills.
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
Air-con, cheap food courts and a rooftop with mountain views at the top of Nimman.
Khoei Chiang Mai - Northern Food (Chiang Mai Restaurant)
Proper northern Thai cooking with no concessions to nervous palates, and the jackfruit curry proves the point.
Cozy Massage and Spa Nimman 15 Chiangmai
Thai massage on Nimman that stays open till 1am, so late arrivals and post-dinner aches are covered.
Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand
Wat Rong Khun
All white plaster and mirror glass, dazzling in the sun, and packed with people from the moment it opens.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
The view does the heavy lifting here, taking in the whole town, the airport runway, and mountains in every direction.
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Phrao
Come after dark, when the fluorescent murals light up and the whole place turns into something else entirely.
Wat Salak Phet
Historic Buddhist temple on Koh Chang with royal connections dating back over a century.
