Wat Chiang Man

วัดเชียงมั่น

The city's oldest temple, founded in 1297

Hours

Daily, roughly 5am–7pm (sources vary; check on site)

Tickets

Grounds are free; donations welcome

Address

Off Ratchaphakinai Rd in the northeast of the Old City. Search 'Wat Chiang Man' on maps

King Mengrai is said to have lived on this spot while his new city was being laid out in 1296, and the temple grew from there. Walk in and the first thing you see is the gilded Chang Lom chedi, held up by a ring of elephants whose forequarters poke out of the walls. A small hall keeps two venerated images, a crystal Buddha and a marble relief, and it is only opened at set times. The temple sits in the quiet northeast corner of the Old City, so it stays calmer than the big names on the main roads.