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Chiang Mai Old City

The moated, square heart of Chiang Mai, founded by King Mangrai in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and still filled with historic temples.

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Chiang Mai Old City in 30 seconds

King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The old city is a square of about 1.5 km on each side, ringed by a moat and the remains of brick walls and gates. Major temples include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man. Chiang Mai is on UNESCO's Tentative List (since 2015), and Thailand submitted its World Heritage nomination in 2026. Entry to the old city is free, but some temples charge foreign visitors a small fee.

About Chiang Mai Old City

Chiang Mai Old City is the historic core of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, about 700 km north of Bangkok. It was laid out in 1296 by King Mangrai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, and it keeps its almost square plan of roughly 1.5 km on each side. A moat still surrounds the whole area. Sections of the old red-brick walls and corner bastions survive, and gates such as Tha Phae on the east side mark the main entrances.

Inside the moat, the old city is a lived-in neighbourhood of lanes, guesthouses, cafes and markets rather than a fenced historical park. It holds a dense concentration of Buddhist temples in the northern Lanna style. Wat Chedi Luang is known for its huge, partly ruined brick chedi. Wat Phra Singh houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image, and Wat Chiang Man is traditionally linked to the founding of the city. Many temples are active monasteries where monks live and study.

The old city is also a centre of local festivals and culture. The Sunday Walking Street market runs along Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate, closing the road to traffic in the evening. During Yi Peng and Loi Krathong, usually in November, lanterns and floating offerings fill the city. At Songkran in mid-April, the moat becomes the focus of the city's water festivities. UNESCO named Chiang Mai a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2017.

When to go: The cool, dry months from about November to February are the most comfortable for walking around the old city, and this period includes Yi Peng and Loi Krathong. Songkran in mid-April is lively but very wet. From about December to April, and especially in March, smoke from seasonal burning in the surrounding hills can cause poor air quality, so check air-quality reports if you are sensitive to haze.

Getting there: Chiang Mai is about 700 km north of Bangkok. Chiang Mai International Airport is a short drive from the old city and has frequent domestic flights from Bangkok. Overnight and daytime trains and long-distance buses also connect Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The old city itself is compact enough to explore on foot, by bicycle, or by local red songthaew trucks and tuk-tuks.

The story of Chiang Mai Old City

King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 to replace Chiang Rai as the capital of his expanding Lanna Kingdom. The city's planning drew on astrological and religious principles. Later rulers enlarged and fortified it, and King Phayu built Wat Phra Singh in the mid-14th century to honour his father.

Wat Chedi Luang's great chedi housed the Emerald Buddha from 1468 until the image was taken to Luang Prabang in the mid-16th century. An earthquake in 1545 brought down the upper part of the chedi. In the 1550s the city came under Burmese (Toungoo) control. It joined the Thonburi Kingdom in 1774, was largely abandoned between 1776 and 1791 during further conflict with Burma, and was later absorbed into Siam.

Much of today's visible wall and gate fabric is restored. The present Tha Phae Gate, for example, was rebuilt in 1985–1986 on the site of the historic gate. Thailand placed the monuments, sites and cultural landscape of Chiang Mai on UNESCO's Tentative List in 2015. The government submitted a full World Heritage nomination dossier in early 2026, and as of this writing the outcome was still pending.

Quick facts Β· visit planner

πŸ“ Location
Chiang Mai Β· Thailand
⏰ Opening hours
The old city is open at all times. Temples usually open from early morning to early evening, but hours vary between temples and sources, so confirm locally. The Sunday Walking Street on Ratc…
🎟 Entry passes
There is no charge to enter or walk around the old city. Some temples charge foreign visitors a small fee. Wat Chedi Luang began charging foreigners 40 THB in 2016, and some later sources gi…

Things to know before you visit

Dress for temple visits.

Covered shoulders and knees are expected at the old city's temples, and shoes come off inside the halls.

Walk or cycle the moat early in the morning.

The walls and gates are pleasant to see before traffic and heat build up, and some temples hold morning alms rounds.

Carry small cash.

Temple fees and Walking Street stalls usually take cash in baht only.

Check air quality between December and April.

Seasonal burning can bring heavy haze, especially in March, so an air-quality app helps you plan outdoor time.

Plan around the big festivals.

Yi Peng and Songkran draw large crowds, so accommodation inside the old city books up and prices rise around those dates.

Frequently asked questions about Chiang Mai Old City

Who founded Chiang Mai?
King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom.
Is Chiang Mai Old City a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Not yet. Chiang Mai's monuments, sites and cultural landscape have been on UNESCO's Tentative List since 2015. Thailand submitted a nomination dossier in 2026, and the decision was still pending at the time of writing.
How big is the old city?
The moated old city is roughly square, at about 1.5 km on each side, so it is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
Is there an entry fee for the old city?
No. Entering the old city is free, but some temples charge foreign visitors a small fee, including Wat Chedi Luang.
Which temples should I see in the old city?
Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man are the best-known. Many smaller Lanna-style temples are scattered through the lanes.
When is the Sunday Walking Street?
It runs on Sunday evenings along Ratchadamnoen Road, starting near Tha Phae Gate, from about 17:00 to 22:30, with the street closed to traffic.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
The cool, dry season from about November to February is generally the most comfortable. The months from about December to April can bring smoky haze, which is often worst in March.
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