Wat Chiang Man
Chiang Mai's oldest temple, and still one of the calmest places inside the old city walls.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 05:00–19:00
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 Wat Chiang Man
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chiang Man.
Why go, and how to do it well
Start here if you want the history of Chiang Mai in one compound. King Mangrai founded this temple in 1296, the first one built in his new capital, and the elephant-supported chedi behind the main hall is the reason most people come away with a photograph. It's the shot everyone takes in the Old City, and it earns it.
The two Buddha images are the other draw, Phra Sae Tang Tamani, the small crystal figure, and Phra Sila, a carved stone relief. Both are revered, both are easy to walk past if you don't know to look. Inside the main hall the gold-on-red work is worth a slow look, and the smaller hall has wall paintings that reviewers keep singling out. One fair complaint is the lack of English signage, so the stories in those murals stay a bit of a mystery unless you've done some reading first. The grounds are large with plenty of benches, and people do lose an hour here without meaning to.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Chiang Man
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Tours that include Wat Chiang Man
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chiang Man.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Chiang Man, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minRebalanc Thai Massage – Old City Chiang MaiWellness & Spas · 110 m · 4.8★
- 2 minSleep Owl Chiang MaiHotels & Resorts · 120 m · 4.5★
- 2 minJinda Massage 진다 치앙마이Wellness & Spas · 160 m · 4.8★
- 2 minCoucou HotelHotels & Resorts · 170 m · 4.9★
- 2 minBaan Landai Fine Thai CuisineRestaurants & Food · 190 m · 4.6★
- 3 minRoseate Hotel ChiangmaiHotels & Resorts · 210 m · 4.1★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Chiang Man, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Wat Chiang Man (วัดเชียงมั่น) is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple and a must-see for history lovers. It was founded in 1296 by King Mangrai, the city’s founder. Highlights include the famous Crystal Buddha (Phra Sae Tang Khamani) and the Marble Buddha (Phra Sila), plus the elephant-supported chedi, which is one of the most photographed spots in the Old City. A beautiful, meaningful temple with real Lanna heritage—best visited respectfully and ideally earlier in the day for a calmer atmosphere.
Beautiful temple to catch around sunset. The main hall has beautiful gold on red images and the smaller hall has striking paintings. Despite the churn of visitors, the temple grounds are peaceful with a few places to sit. Behind the main hall is a beautiful stupa with a foundation of carved elephants. Well worth the visit.
Wat Chiang Man (Northern Thai: ᩅᩢ᩠ᨯᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉ᩠ᨾᩢ᩶ᩁ; Thai: วัดเชียงมั่น; sometimes also written as Wat Chiang Mun) is a Buddhist temple (Thai language: Wat) inside the old city (which is contained within the city walls and moat) of Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. Wat Chiang Man was built by Mangrai: 209 in 1297 CE as the first temple of Chiang Mai on the location of Wiang Nopburi, a fortified town of the Lawa people which had been used by King Mangrai as a camp during the construction of his new capital city Chiang Mai. The oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, Wat Chiang Man was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, Wat Chiang Man was built in 1296 by King Mengrai of Lanna kingdom. The temple is famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses. The beautiful Lanna-style ordination hall enshrines an ancient Buddha image named Phra Kaew Khao, revered by Chiang Mai locals. Wat Chiang Man is situated off of Ratchapakhinai Road in the northeast corner of the old city. Opening hours: 8.00 am-5.00 pm
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 6,169 reviews on Google.
171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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All within a 6-minute walk of Wat Chiang Man.
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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
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Chiang Man: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Chiang Man worth visiting?
Wat Chiang Man holds a 4.6★ rating from 6,169 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Wat Chiang Man?
Wat Chiang Man is typically open 05:00–19:00 — 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 Wat Chiang Man?
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: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).
Where is Wat Chiang Man located?
Wat Chiang Man is at 171 Ratchapakhinai Rd, 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).
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