Wat Suan Dok

The charming city of Chiang Mai is a mix of atmospheric temples and sleepy streets. Spend a half-day exploring this city’s best temples with a knowledgeable guide.   Start at Wat Phra Singh, a 700-year-old temple often described as the city’s most beautiful. Inside, find an enormous “Lion Buddha”, as well as guilded pagodas, murals, and statues. Then, visit Wat Chedi Luang, the largest Buddhist temple in the heart of Chiang Mai. Built in 1441, this crumbling chedi is surrounded by striking elephant and serpent statues, who guard the temple.   Wat Suan Dok is known for its countless white stupas (meditation structures) and its stunning scenery, including its backdrop of Doi Suthep Mountain. It’s thought that a tooth from the Buddha himself is enclosed at the temple’s heart.   Finally, visit Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, which dates back to 1296. The gleaming gold chedi is seriously impressive, but the atmospheric flower garden that doubles as a fantastic photo spot is also worth a visit.

Experience local life and the Buddhist ritual of almsgiving on this guided trip around Chiang Mai. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant and learn about Thai life and traditions as you visit Suan Dok Temple, a market, and more, admission fees included. Start your spiritual day in Chiang Mai early in the morning with pickup up at your hotel or accommodation. Then, depart to the foothills of Doi Suthep Mountain to make merit during the almsgiving as monks descend from the temple. After almsgiving, get the chance to pay respects to Kruba Srivichai who oversaw the building of the road up to Doi Suthep Temple. Take some time to wander around the Ton Phayom local market next, where you can explore authentic Thai products and try a famous local breakfast. Get a real idea of how it feels to shop like a local. Before heading back to your hotel or accommodation, visit Wat Suan Dok (Flower Garden Temple) and marvel at the temple’s golden principle pagoda that enshrines Buddha's relics.