Tha Phae Gate
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Chiang Man — Chiang Mai's oldest temple
i
Photo: Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; donations welcome
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 6:00–17:00; the small viharn is sometimes closed
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off at the hall doors
- Highlights
- The elephant stupa, the crystal Buddha, the Phra Sila stele
- Time needed
- 30–40 minutes
- Where
- North-east of the Old City; 10–15 minutes on foot from Tha Phae Gate
Key facts
1297King Mangrai built Chiang Mai's first temple
Sourcei
English WikipediaCampthe temple stands where the king lived while his new capital was built
Sourcei
English Wikipedia15 elephantslife-sized, 'carry' the Chedi Chang Lom on their backs
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1465the date on a standing Buddha's base — one of the oldest in Lanna
Sourcei
English Wikipedia10 cmthe height of the clear quartz Crystal Buddha, Phra Sae Tang Khamani
Sourcei
English Wikipedia6 kgof gold in the Crystal Buddha's base and canopy (1874)
Sourcei
English WikipediaPhra Silaa stone stele of the Buddha taming an elephant, honoured at Songkran
Sourcei
English Wikipedia≈ 800 mto Wat Chedi Luang — 10 minutes on foot
Sourcei
OSMWhat is Wat Chiang Man?
Wat Chiang Man is Chiang Mai's oldest temple. King Mangrai, the city's founder, built it in 1297 on the site of the fortified camp where he lived while his new capital took shape. It sits in a quiet north-eastern corner of the Old City, noticeably calmer than its big neighbours.
Its oldest structure is Chedi Chang Lom ('Elephant Stupa'): the front halves of 15 life-sized brick elephants emerge from its base, as if carrying the upper tiers on their backs. The main viharn holds a Buddha statue dated 1465 — one of the oldest in Lanna.
The city's guardian images
The small viharn holds two images regarded as guardians of Chiang Mai. Phra Sae Tang Khamani (the 'Crystal Buddha') is a 10 cm figure of clear quartz on a gold base and canopy containing more than 6 kg of gold. Its age is disputed: one view puts it at almost two thousand years old, another in the 15th century.
Phra Sila is a stone stele of the Buddha taming an elephant. It's believed to bring rain, so it's honoured at Songkran, at the end of the dry season. The small viharn isn't always open — the images can be seen through a grille.
What to see
- Chedi Chang Lom — 15 elephants around its base.
- The main viharn — the 1465 Buddha and a gilded facade.
- The small viharn — the Crystal Buddha and the Phra Sila stele.
- Gilded carved gables in Lanna style.
- The ubosot — the ordination hall.
- The quiet courtyard with palm trees.
How to get to Wat Chiang Man
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Tha Phae Gate is about 14 min away on foot.
- Wat Chedi Luang is about 16 min away on foot.
- Wat Phra Singh is about 18 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Tha Phae Gate — 10–15 minutes north-west on foot through the Old City.
- From Wat Chedi Luang — about 800 m, 10 minutes north on foot.
- By red songthaew, Grab or tuk-tuk — to Ratchaphakhinai Road.
- From Chang Phueak Gate (the north gate) — 5–10 minutes on foot.
- Enter from Ratchaphakhinai Road.
How long do you need, and when to go?
Allow 30–40 minutes. Mornings are especially quiet, with soft light on the elephants. Start an Old City route here, then continue to Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
It's a good stop if you're tired of crowds: small, but with the city's most ancient buildings.
Is Wat Chiang Man worth visiting?
Yes: it's the cradle of Chiang Mai, free and peaceful, and its elephant stupa is one of the most unusual in town.
The YesGo take: the temple is small, and its key images are behind a grille and not always easy to see. Don't cross town just for it — combine it with its neighbours.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Chiang Mai temples: compare and choose
Chiang Mai temples rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Wat Chiang Manyou are here | 44 | 30 min | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Umong | 40 | 1 h | Free | 4.0 km |
| Wat Chedi Luang | 39 | 1 h | ≈ 40–50 baht | 14 min walk |
| Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) | 39 | 30 min | ≈ 50 baht | 31 min walk |
| Wat Phra Singh | 38 | 45 min | grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht | 18 min walk |
| Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | 31 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20 | 7.2 km |
Chiang Mai's Old City in half a day
Wat Chiang Man, then Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh — all three in the Old City. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Wat Chiang Manyou are here30 min · free
- 14 min walk from the previous stopWat Chedi Luang1 h · ≈ 40–50 baht
- 10 min walk from the previous stopWat Phra Singh45 min · grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht
3 places · about 2 h 39 min with walks · 24 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Wat Chedi Luang
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra Singh
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai, Thailand
How to do it right
- The best shot is the stupa's elephants from a corner of the courtyard in the morning.
- The Crystal Buddha is visible through the small viharn's grille.
- Start your Old City route here.
- Don't climb the stupa.
- 10 minutes away: Wat Chedi Luang.
Questions
Is there an entrance fee at Wat Chiang Man?
No, entry is free.
Is it really Chiang Mai's oldest temple?
Yes — King Mangrai built it in 1297.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 6:00 to 17:00 (according to guides).
What is the Crystal Buddha?
A 10 cm clear quartz figure, one of the city's guardian images.
Where is the elephant stupa?
In the temple grounds — Chedi Chang Lom, with 15 elephants around its base.
How do I get there?
10–15 minutes on foot from Tha Phae Gate.
What is the dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered.
How long do you need?
30–40 minutes.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Wat Chiang Man: founding in 1297, Chedi Chang Lom, the 1465 statue, the Crystal Buddha, the Phra Sila stele
- 2026 travel guides — opening hours (unofficial)
- OSM — temple coordinates
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
Top YesGo picks: Chiang Mai
Wat Umong
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Doi Inthanon
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Elephant Nature Park
Chiang Mai, Thailand