Private Chiang Mai Old City Tuk Tuk Tour: temples and markets

Wat Sri Suphan tour, silversmithing craft, ancestral techniques, dazzling afternoon light

A private half-day tuk tuk tour of Chiang Mai's Old City takes you to five temples and a market in four hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You ride in a comfortable tuk tuk built for two travelers (or a third child under 12), stopping at Wat Chedi Luang, the Three Kings Monument, Wat Sri Suphan, Wat Phra Singh Waramahawihan and Warorot Market. An English-speaking guide is available; dress with shoulders and legs covered for temple entry.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chiang Mai Old City by Tuk Tuk

• Explore canal around Old City
• Visit historical gates and Tha Phae Gate
• Stop at Wat Chedi Luang temple
• See Three Kings Monument Square
• Visit Wat Sri Suphan Silver Temple
• Explore Wat Phra Singh Waramahawihan
• Shop at Muang Mai or Warorot Market

The Experience

Chiang Mai's Old City sits inside ancient walls and gates that once guarded the kingdom from invaders. The tour starts by circling the canal that surrounds it, stopping at Tha Phae Gate and other historical entrances before heading into the walled center where temples and markets fill the streets. You travel by tuk tuk, the three-wheeled taxi that moves through traffic the way locals do, stopping where a guide points out what matters.

Wat Chedi Luang, the "Temple of Big Stupa," was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and once housed the Emerald Buddha now kept in Bangkok's Grand Palace. The Three Kings Monument Square holds statues of the three founders of Chiang Mai—King Mengrai, King Ramkhamhaeng and King Ngam Muang—each of whom ruled a different kingdom before they united to establish the city. Wat Sri Suphan, known as the Silver Temple, is made from alloy and zinc silver that gleams brightest in afternoon light; inside, silversmiths work at their craft using techniques passed down through generations. Wat Phra Singh Waramahawihan displays the most beautiful northern Thai architecture, especially in its chapel.

The final stop is Warorot Market, where locals shop for the cheapest goods in the city—fruit, vegetables, seafood, jewelry, flowers, souvenirs and beauty supplies spread across stalls. Hotel pickup and drop-off within 5 kilometers of the Old City are included, so the logistics of getting there and back are handled. Travel accident insurance covers the ride. The tour runs four hours and suits all fitness levels; dress with shoulders and legs covered when entering temples.

What’s included

• Private half-day tuk tuk tour through Chiang Mai's Old City.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within 5 kilometers of the Old City.
• travel accident insurance.
• stops at Wat Chedi Luang, Three Kings Monument, Wat Sri Suphan, Wat Phra Singh Waramahawihan and Warorot Market.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?Book the English-speaking guide option if you want commentary on what you're seeing—the history of each temple, the significance of the monuments and the stories behind the market. Without it, you travel the same route but navigate the stops on your own.

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Top questions

What is Wat Sri Suphan and why does it look different from other temples?

Wat Sri Suphan, the Silver Temple, is made from alloy and zinc silver that shines brightest in the afternoon. Inside, silversmiths work using ancestral techniques to craft silver pieces, making it a working temple and craft workshop at once.

Can I fit more than two people in the tuk tuk?

The tuk tuk is built for two travelers comfortably. A third person under around 12 years old can fit depending on their size, but the standard capacity is two.

What was Wat Chedi Luang used for historically?

Wat Chedi Luang, the Temple of Big Stupa, was constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries and was once the home of the famous Emerald Buddha, which is now housed in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Does the tour include entrance fees to the temples?

Temple entrance fees are not included in the tour price. A small fee applies at certain temples during the visit.

Is a guide included, and what language do they speak?

An English-speaking guide is available on this private tour and can be selected at checkout. The guide leads the stops and provides commentary throughout the four-hour route.

What should I wear when visiting the temples on this tour?

Cover your shoulders and legs when entering temples. This is a sign of respect in Thai culture and is required for entry to the sacred spaces on the route.