Chiangmai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and with 300 Buddhist temples (or วัด –wat in Thai). It was he former capital of the Lanna Kingdom and was founded by King Phaya Mengrai as Nopburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai (shortened to Chiang Mai – New Walled City).

The biggest temple is Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง – Temple of the Large Stūpa). Construction started in the 14th century, but it took until the 15th century to finish. Wat Chedi Luang is in the centre of the Old Town.

Another notable temple is Wat Phan Tao (วัดพันเตา – Temple of a Thousand Kilns). This teak wooden temple was constructed originally as a palace in the 19th century.

Wat Chiang Man (วัดเชียงมั่น – Temple of the Walled City) is notable for its chedi (stūpa) with 15 elephants all around the base. This is also the oldest temple constructed in 1297 C.E. around the same time as the founding of the city.