Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most famous temple in the north on top of the hill. Containing a holy relax of Buddha and is reached by 306 steps, flanked by mythical Nagas balustrade on either side, the panoramic views of the city from temple ground are truly spectaculars on a clear day.

Wat Ched Yod is an attractive temple complex in the outskirts of Chiang Mai that contains some very unique architecture. The temple that is also known as Wat Chet Yod and Wat Photharam Maha Vihara is a Royal temple dating back to the 15th Century. Its architectural style shows Lanna, Rattanakosin, Lao, Chinese and Indian influence. The temple was built during the reign of King Tilokkarat, King of the Lanna Kingdom from 1441 until 1487. The King's ashes are enshrined in a chedi on the temple grounds.

Wat Suan Dok is located just west of the old walled part of Chiang Mai is a very old temple knows for its large number of white chedis or pagodas. Wat Suan Dok literally means flower garden temple. The temple derives its name from the location where it was built. The temple area was once used as a Royal flower garden by the ruler of Chiang Mai. The most noticeable feature of the Wat Suan Dok is a large number of chedis. The tallest golden chedi in Sri Lankan style is 48 meters high and contains the relic of the Buddha. A large number of smaller white chedis contain the ashes of members of several generations of the Chiang Mai Royal Family. The ashes were brought here from several places in Chiangmai as requested by Princess Dara Rashmi early 20th century. In 1477 the 8th World Buddhist Council was held here to discuss the texts of the Tripitaka, the scriptures containing the Buddhist teachings.

There were several magnificent and very old temples within the walled old city of Chiang Mai, with the Wat Phra Singh being one of the most attractive. The temples which are also known as The Monastery of the Lion Buddha or The temple of the Lion Buddha is an active temple with hundreds of monks and novices living there. The Wat Phra Singh housed a number of high and very old Buddha images.

Its most prominent feature is the massive and very impressive chedi (pagoda) dominating the area. The chedi was ordered by King Sean Muang Ma to enshrine the ashes of his father. Constructing began in 1391 and lasted almost a century. when the chedi was finally finished in 1475 during the reign of King Tilokarat it had reached a height of about 85 meters and a width of 44 meters which made it by far the largest structure of Chiang Mai. In the year 1545 disaster struck when a massive earthquake destroyed much of the chedi. The quake took off some 60 meters from the top of the chedi after which about 60 meters remained. In the 1990s the chedi was partially restored.

Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and goes back all the way to the founding of the city in 1296. When King Mengrai decided to build a new city and make it the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom, he builds the Wat Chiang Man as the first temple of the new city on the site he used to supervise the construction of Chiang Mai. The temple holds several very old and important Buddha images.