Chiang Mai Temples Tour: Doi Suthep & Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang once held the Emerald Buddha before it moved to Bangkok.

A guided tour of three iconic Chiang Mai temples—Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat and Wat Chedi Luang—with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup within the Old City or 2 km radius, and admission fees included. You choose between a shared join tour starting at the meeting point, private tours with optional add-ons to the Gems Gallery and night market, or a meeting-point option without tickets. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours for shared departures, 7 hours for private tours, or 9 hours with add-ons.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit three iconic temples in Chiang Mai

• Pick up from meeting point or hotel
• Explore Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple
• Visit Wat Pha Lat temple for meditation
• Tour Wat Chedi Luang temple
• Drop off at Chiang Mai or Duangtawan Hotel

The Experience

Your first morning in Chiang Mai doesn't have to be spent figuring out how to reach temples scattered across the city. Pickup happens at 8am from either Sun Leisure World Office at Duang Tawan Hotel or your hotel within the Old City, and from there the guide handles the route while you settle in. The three temples are separated by location and history—each one tells a different story about how Chiang Mai's architecture blends Thai Lanna, Burmese and Cambodian styles.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits high enough to command views across the city, built as a temple complex with visual detail at every turn; the itinerary gives you time to move past the tour buses and linger. Wat Pha Lat, lower on the mountain and older, sits beside a stream with waterfalls and carries a quieter reverence—the kind of place people come to for meditation or reflection. Wat Chedi Luang anchors the old city center with an enormous pagoda that originally stood 280 feet high until an earthquake in 1545 partially destroyed it; the chapel's front porch is fronted by a magnificent Naga staircase, and this temple once housed the Emerald Buddha that now sits in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew.

The shared join tour runs 4 to 5 hours and includes packaged water, the guide, transport and admission. Private tours stretch to 7 hours and add a visit to the Gems Gallery with private hotel pickup; if you want to add the Art and Craft Village, 925 Silver Street or a 1-hour walking tour of the night market, the full day runs 9 hours. A meeting-point option without admission tickets is also available if you prefer to arrange entry separately.

What’s included

• Packaged water and an English-speaking guide throughout.
• transportation from the meeting point or your hotel.
• admission to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Pha Lat and Wat Chedi Luang. Private tour options add a visit to the Gems Gallery, and you can choose to add the Art and Craft Village, 925 Silver Street or a 1-hour walking tour of the Chiang Mai Night Market.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sightseeing Chiang Mai

Is this one for you?Choose the shared join tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the shortest timeframe; pick a private tour if you prefer a personalized pace and want to include the Gems Gallery or add cultural stops like the night market and craft village. The meeting-point option works if you're already familiar with temple entry or want to skip admission fees.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

199 verified traveler reviews

5 ★170

4 ★15

3 ★8

2 ★1

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I get picked up from my hotel in Chiang Mai?

Hotel pickup is included for locations within the Old City or within 2 km of Sun Leisure World Chiang Mai. If your hotel is outside that radius, you can join the tour at the meeting point at Duang Tawan Hotel instead.

What's the difference between Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat?

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the larger, more visited temple complex higher on the mountain with extensive architectural detail. Wat Pha Lat is the older temple lower on the mountain, quieter and built beside a stream with waterfalls, known for its peaceful atmosphere and city views.

What does the Emerald Buddha have to do with Wat Chedi Luang?

Wat Chedi Luang once housed the revered Emerald Buddha image, which is now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew. The temple's most striking feature is the magnificent Naga staircase adorning the chapel's front porch.

How long does the tour take?

The shared join tour runs 4 to 5 hours. Private tours run 7 hours with the Gems Gallery included, or 9 hours if you add the Art and Craft Village, Silver Street or the night market walking tour.

What's included in the tour price?

Packaged water, an English-speaking guide, transportation and admission fees to all three temples are included in the standard options. Food, drinks and personal expenses are separate.

Can I do this tour if I'm visiting Chiang Mai for just one afternoon?

Yes—the shared join tour takes 4 to 5 hours, which fits into a free afternoon. Pickup starts at 8am, so you'd be back by early afternoon depending on which option you choose.