10

Best Temples in Chiang Rai

This is one of the most popular Temples in Chiang Rai and a heart-warming centre for everyone, especially all Buddhists. It was built in the year 2001. They love to pay respect to the place. The place was appointed for a temple and named as ‘Huai Pla Kang’ by the National workplace of Buddhism, simply four years hence the very 1st day of establishment.

However, the best part about this temple isn't its stunning scenery, but its form of decoration. At first, it had been solely a minor house of Buddhist monks, before it was restored and developed into a glorious place as you'll be able to see these days.

Location: Wat Huai Pla Kang is located at 553, Area 3, Rim Kok District, Muang County, Chiang Rai Province.

This is the most ornate temples in Chiang Rai and every structure of the temple is richly decorated. The city pillars are guarded by two Yakshas and the vihara is built in traditional Northern Thai style. In 1903 a storm severely wrecked a lot of the temple, after that several of its structures were remodelled.

The main structures comprise of the Ubosot, the viharn, a scripture library, the chedi, and the city pillar shrine. The city pillar marks the centre of Chiang Rai and is said to be the spot from where the King looked out. You can feel this ancient temple beguiling with devotion and eternal bliss.

Location: Uttarakit, Chiang Rai, Amphoe Mueang Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Timings: 6 AM to 5 PM.

Entry Fees: It is free of cost.

This is counted as one of the most spectacular Temples in Chiang Rai that juxtaposes tradition with modern art and is created by the famed Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. The main highlight of the tour to Chiang Rai lies in the unusual Wat Rong Khun, which is also called as the White Temple.

The architectural details of this temple depict Buddhist culture. It consists of mirror decorations and ornate reliefs. There is a lot to make you fall in love with this blissful temple which has an attractive museum of artworks and paintings also.

Location: Pa O Don Chai, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand.

Timings: 06.30 – 18.00 daily for the temple; 08:00 – 17:30 Mon-Fri (museum of paintings).

Entry Fee: 50 Baht from foreign visitors.

This is one of the most pristine Temples in Chiang Rai. It is also said to be a copy of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya in the Republic of India. The exterior of the temple, on which several sculpted figures survive is the main attraction. While several components are missing, you can still see some finely detailed figures.

There's an uninviting cave-like hall in the rectangular base of the structure supporting the seven chedis, while a more typical modern wiharn stands in front of the old monument. It was inbuilt the fifteenth century to host the Eighth World Buddhist Council.

Location: Tambon river Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand.

Entry Fee: Entry is free of cost.

This temple was earlier abandoned but the ubsot was pulled in 1984 and was bulit in contemporary Lanna architecture style. The top of the pillar is engraved with the image of 4-faced Brahma. It was found under the ruins of the vihara. The city pillar’s base is wood etched and adorned with gold leaves.

Beautiful mural paintings have been made by the contemporary and skilful local artists which depict the Nan people’s life. The city pillar stands in the front side of the pavilion of the ubosot. Chao Anantaworaritthidej, the Nan ruler, established the temple around 1857 and named it Wat Ming Muang after the name of pillar Sao Ming Muang.

Location: 52 Suriyapong Rd, Tambon Nai Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Nan, Chang Wat Nan 55000, Thailand.

Timing: 8:00 AM to 4:30 AM.

Entry Fee: Free.

It is the highly revered and one of the oldest temples in Thailand. According to Yonok Chronicle, in 940, the Chedi was built to place the Lord Buddha's remnants. King Mang Rai ordered the commencement of the Chiang Rai construction and got the thong of Wat Phra That Doi Chom restored.

Elephants are the legendary part of Doi Chom Thong. The Golden Chedi is in the centre of the wat. It is said that King Mang Rai was following a beautiful elephant that wandered off when it first came to Doi Chom Thong, this solitary hill which lies on banks of River Kok.

Location: ArjAmnuay Rd, Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand.

Timings: Daily, 8AM-5PM.

It is considered to be the most famous Buddhist temple raised high on the series of the platform in Thailand. An Emerald Buddha facsimile made of green jade is on exhibit in Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai. Wat Phra Kaew has gained popularity for being the oldest and most admired temples of Chiang Rai.

Also of particular interest is the two-story museum in the temple grounds and the 700-year-old bronze statue of Phra Chao Lan Thong.This sculpture was found hidden inside, which has now been placed in the temple has a similar name in Bangkok’s Royal Palace grounds.

Location: Na Phra Lan Rd, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand.

Timings: Daily, 8:30 AM-3: 30 PM.

Entry Fee: 500 Baht from Foreigners.

This beautiful temple holds the most famous relics of Buddha. The prime highlights of this most traditionally built temple are the two new bell-shaped chedis was established in Lanna style. And, if you continue further, you'll come across a sightseeing spot, from where you can look around and see the stunning natural scenery.

Starting from the entrance, you will see a white statue of Kruba Sri Wichai. Besides two of the chedis, there are few other interesting things that you can see around the temple. You must see the two Naga statues that are located along the stairway. 

Location: Wat Phra That Doi Tung Huai Khrai, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai 57130, Thailand.

Considered as the most blissful Temples in Chiang Rai it is eighty-eight meters tall and twenty-four meters in diameter. Wat Phra That Chedi Luang is the tallest temple in Chiang Rai. It got damaged due to an earthquake in 1545 and now the chedi's height has reduced to half of its original size.

The highlight of Wat Phra That Chedi Luang is an ancient convex Lanna structured stupa, enclosed by smaller ancient chedis and a historic ordination hall. King Saen Phu erected the stupa in circa 1290. He was the 3rd king of the Lanna kingdom.

Location: Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand.

Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM.

Entry Fees: 40 Baht for adults and 20 Baht for children.

It is one of the most iconic temples located on a beautiful hill having a crooked pagoda. The ubosot has a large Buddha image that sits under a fabricated Bodhi tree. This temple comprises of two Chiang Rai temples; Wat Chom Chaeng and Wat Phrathat Chom Kitti embraced with a modern ubosot that was built in Chiang Saen style an old pagoda.

The temple was in ruins until recently efforts were made to re-consecrate it by building a new prayer hall. At the lower side is Wat Chom Cheng consisting of a small brick pagoda and a modern ubosot built in Chiang Saen style. 

Location: Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 5 PM.