Chiang Mai is often spoken of by tourists and visitors as being a city with a distinct beauty and cultural heritage of its own. Along with its numerous ancient temples and buildings, Nature added her own handiwork in the majestic mountains and combined to compose a captivating symphony which draws both domestic and international tourists back to see this city of old time, time and time again.

Historical sites & Museums
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Wat Phra Singh Sam Lan Road
This beautiful and charming temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15, when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image. The temple grounds includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals, and a magnificent scriptural repository.

Wat Suan Dok Suthep Road
This temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several of the white chedis contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. The 500-year-old bronze Buddha image in a secondary chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal images.

Wat Chiang Man Ratchaphakkinai Road
This is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses, and a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeow Khaow.

Wat Chedi Luang Phrapokklao Road
This temple is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 280 feet high, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. A magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapel's front porch.

Wat U-Mong Suthep Road
This delightful meditation temple is completely different from Chiang Mai's other major temples and enjoys a bu-colic forest setting. The ancient chedi is of particular interest.

Wat Ku Tao near Chiang Mai Stadium
This temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The structure is decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is believed to represent five Buddhist monks' alms bowls which symbolise five Lord Buddhas.

Chiang Mai National Museum Beside Wat Chet Yot
The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. The museum opens daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 AM until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 PM.

Wat Jedi Luang

Ancient temples can be seen almost anywhere in the city, with Wat Chiang Mun being the oldest. Near the top of Suthep Mountain is the famous Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple. Other temples of interest include Wat Chedi Luang,which houses the city pillar that traditionally marks the centre of a town; Wat Pra Shing, which holds a much revered Buddha image that is one of Thailand's oldest; and Wat Umong, which is a quiet meditational retreat shaed by majestic teak trees. In addition, there is also Wat Suan Dok, which are a few others among the many important temples in Chiang Mai. Besides temples, there are cultural attractions such as the Phuping Palace, which is home to the Royal Family during certain times of the year; the National Museum of Chiang Mai and Wiang Khum Kham, archeological remains of an ancient city located on the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd.