DIY Temple Walking Tour in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Walking around Chiang Mai is a visual feast. It is home to many of the most stunning old temples in Thailand.

Perhaps the most stunning sights in Chiang Mai are the Buddhist temples scattered around the city and its periphery. Did you know that there have been some 300 temples constructed all over the Chiang Mai Province? Apparently, it would take you at least a week before being able to visit all of them!

Walking is the best way to wander around Chiang Mai. Just grab a free map from your guesthouse and choose your own itinerary. Majority of the most stunning old temples are only within the 2 kilometers squared city walls.

As compared to the ones you see in Bangkok, various cultures like Burmese, Sri Lankan, Mon and Lanna have influenced the architectural styles of the temples in Chiang Mai. In most temples, intricate stone and woodcarvings of dragon-like naga serpents and elephants can be found. Wat’s interior and exterior are, as usual, adorned with gold designs, opulent decorations, and colorful mural paintings.

We began our walking tour at the western gate of the walled city. From Loh Kroi Road, we headed off to Ratchadamnoen Road, the main road in the old town of Chiang Mai. This is the district where the former kings of Thailand built most of their wats and palaces.

Our first stop was Wat Muen Lan, the first temple you reach after crossing the Tha Phae Gate. It’s just a small temple with Burmese-inspired style. Afterwards, we visited Wat Saimoon Muang. This Buddhist temple was built in 1487 during the reign of the King Tilokarat. According to the plaque in the grounds, originally the temple was called Wat Aranbarnpa but changed its name to Wat Sai Moon Muang in 1907 after the Saimoon swamp area in which it was originally situated.

Inside the temple is a large principal Buddha image, which is said to have come from an area north of Chiang Mai in the old city of Chiangsaen. 

We also passed by more small temples (Wat Phan On, Wat Sum Pow, etc.) along Ratchadamnoen Road before getting to the popular Wat Chedi Luang. Located on the southern part of Ratchadamnoen Road at the junction of Phra Pok Klao Road, it is my favorite temple among the array of temples we visited in Chiang Mai!

I was really overwhelmed by the height, architecture and sculptures of this ruined temple, which dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. The well-preserved wat is surrounded by a monumental stairway, elephants and mythical snakes (naga). 

There’s also a towering Dipterocarp tree next to the entrance. Also located in Wat Chedi compound is a temple called Wat Pan Tao, which literally means “to increase 1,000 times.” This small temple has beautiful carvings and contains a large reclining Buddha.

Afterwards, we visited Wat Phra Singh (Temple of the Lion Buddha). It is an important Buddhist monastery in Thailand, which also houses two old and sacred Buddha statues. This Buddhist temple is home to three main structures, the primary attraction being the beautifully decorated assembly hall and its restored mural paintings depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago. 

Wat Phra Singh can be found at the western end of Ratchadamnoen Road. Worthy of note in this temple are the Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn (assembly hall).

Finally, another notable temple within the walls is Wat Chang Taem. It’s just a short walk away, close to the Chang Puak gate. Literally means "Temple of 10,000 Drops of Rain”,  Wat Chang Taem houses the Fon Saen Ha Buddha which is over a thousand years old. It is an important temple during the annual Lak Mueang Festival or Inthakhin Festival.

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Beach Bumming in Koh Samet, Thailand

Located in the eastern seaboard of Thailand off the coastline of Rayong Province, Koh Samet is a T-shaped island famed for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. It is said to be the largest and westernmost of a cluster of islands not far from the coast in Thailand.

How to Get to Koh Samet

Getting to Koh Samet is very easy. If you’re staying at Khao San Road, you can easily book tickets to Koh Samet from your guesthouse or nearby travel agencies. The trip to Ban Phe, Rayong costs 250 baht and takes about 2 hours and a half from Bangkok. The mini-van drops you off at Ban Phe Pier where you take a 30-minute boat ride to Koh Samet. One-way ferry ticket only costs 50 baht.

Koh Samet is part of the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and every visitor is obliged to pay an entrance fee. We only paid 40 baht, not the usual 200 baht for foreigners, because we look like Thais! Haha! This is just one of the many advantages of being Asian backpackers. We opted to stay in Sea Breeze Bungalows behind Silversand. It’s a decent guesthouse offering fan bungalows with private bathroom for only 400 baht per night. What a bargain!

If you want to wander around Koh Samet, hiring a private vehicle is recommended. Walking isn’t advisable as many parts of the island are steep and dirt trails. You can either hire a songthaew (pickup truck) or rent a motorcycle. The cost ranges from 200 to 500 baht depending on your haggling skills. ATV and 4×4 vehicles are also for rent, but they are much more expensive.

There are several beaches in Koh Samet but my personal favorite is Ao Phai at the northern end of the island. Many budget guesthouses and bars where night parties happen are located in this beach. Some of the best restaurants in Koh Samet offering seafoods and barbecues can also be found along Ao Phai.

For those looking for delicious but reasonably-priced food and drinks, I highly recommend Gecko Bar and Restaurant located next to Silversand. This bar offers a good selection of affordable Thai cuisines as well as cocktails.

Don't forget to check out and take a photo with giant statues of a flute-playing prince and a mermaid. These statues stand on a rock atop the sandy beach. 

Koh Samet may not be as striking as the beaches in Krabi or Koh Phi Phi, but it is still a beautiful island, a sight to behold, and, most notably, has a practical proximity to Bangkok. It is also way better than the nearby and overcrowded Pattaya.

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