Hey Leosquad! If you’re exploring temples in Chiang Mai for the first time, there are three spots that really show the city’s spiritual soul in totally different ways: Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, both right inside the Old City walls 🏙, and Wat Umong, a forest temple 🌳🛕about 10–15 minutes (around 4 km) outside the city. Each one has its own energy ⚡— from historic Lanna beauty ✨ to ancient ruins 🏛️ to peaceful tunnels hidden in nature 🌳.

Stepping into Wat Phra Singh feels like a sacred reset 🤍. This centuries-old temple is home to the revered Phra Seng Buddha, one of the most respected Buddha images in Northern Thailand. Many travelers visit out of curiosity 🤔, but what they often find is something deeper. When I arrived, I had just recovered from a fever 🤒. The moment I entered the assembly hall, the monks were chanting Paritta 🙏, and the noise in my head slowly faded.

I sat for nearly half an hour—not to pray, not to think—but simply to be present 😌. If you’re wondering when to come, mornings are especially peaceful 🍃, and why people return again and again becomes clear as soon as you take a seat on the polished wooden floor.

Wat Phra Singh
📍 Location: 2 Samlarn Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
🕒 Open: 06:00 – 19:30
💰 Entrance: 50 THB ( 1.5 USD )
🕰️ Spend: 30-60mins
🙏 Tip: Dress modestly—shoulders & knees covered

A short walk away stands Wat Chedi Luang, a temple that doesn’t try to impress you—it simply exists with quiet honesty. It was once the tallest structure in ancient Chiang Mai, and what remains today is a worn, cracked, humbling reminder of time ⛰️.

Unlike the bright gold temples many imagine when thinking of Thailand, this stupa carries a rawness that makes you slow down. The massive tree 🌳 beside it casts a shadow that feels older than the city itself, and walking under it feels like stepping into a story that has been unfolding for centuries.🕒

Wat Chedi Luang
📍 Location: 103 Prapokklao Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
🕒 Open: 05:00 – 22:30
💰 Entrance: 50 THB ( 1.5 USD )
🕰️ Spend:30–50 mins
🙏 Tip: Dress modestly—shoulders & knees covered

🌳 Wat Umong: Forest Temple of Stillness

And then there’s Wat Umong—hidden in the forest on the city’s edge. The moss-covered stupas, the faded statues, the quiet tunnels… everything here feels ancient. Walking through those meditation tunnels is like stepping into another century 🕒.

It’s still, echoey, and calming in a way that lingers long after you leave. Just watch out for the bats 🦇—they’re harmless, but they’re definitely part of the experience.

Wat Umong
📍 Location: 135, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
🕒 Open: 04:00 – 20:00
💰 Entrance: 20 THB (0.6 USD)
🕰️ Spend: 30-60mins
🙏 Tip: Dress modestly—shoulders & knees covered

Where should you go first? That depends on the experience you want. Wat Phra Singh gives you calm and clarity 🙏

Wat Chedi Luang offers you perspective and grounding 🪨.

Wat Umong offers you stillness 🌳that follows you long after you leave. All of them are within walking distance, making it easy to visit in a single morning or an unhurried afternoon.

How you experience them is entirely up to you—some visitors meditate, others photograph the architecture, and many simply sit in silence 🧘.

If you’re trying to understand the true spirit of Chiang Mai, these temples in Chiang Mai are not just stops on a map—they’re living places of reflection. Visiting them helps you discover not just the city’s history, but also your own sense of stillness ✨.

When you’re ready to explore more sacred corners of Chiang Mai, follow the address above. Your next adventure starts here 🗺️.

If you’re exploring Chiang Mai beyond its temples, don’t miss my guide to the Top 9 Things to Do in Chiang Mai. It’s the perfect next step for planning your trip ✈️.

Follow Leotrails for more exciting adventures and insider tips from Thailand

That’s it for this blog post! If you found this helpful, give it a thumbs up! See you in the next post! Love you all! Thank you!
Travel Deeper, Eat Bolder, Live the Moments, and Follow the Trails.✈️🍜🔥🌏
Bye Bye!

Source: Trip.com

Where I Stayed: Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel

Staying at Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel feels calm and homey, with cozy rooms, a quiet garden, and a small azul-blue pool that’s perfect for slowing down after a day out or even getting some work done. It’s peaceful, welcoming, and a nice little escape just outside the busy part of the city.

Want to learn more about Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel? Check out this blog post here!

Source: Trip.com

Other Recommended Stays: Akira Thaphae Hotel

The rooms in Akira Thaphae Hotel are stylish and comfy, the pool is a nice place to chill, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s close to Thaphae Gate and all the fun cafes and markets, so it’s easy to wander out for food or exploring