Wat Suan Dok

Chiang Mai


Built on a former flower garden in 1373, this important monastery enshrines one half of a sacred Buddha relic; the other half was transported by white elephant to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The main chedi is a gilded, bell-shaped structure that rises above a sea of white memorial chedi honouring the Thai royal family, with the ridge of Doi Suthep soaring behind.

The hangar-like main wí·hăhn (sanctuary) contains a huge standing Buddha statue that almost touches the ceiling. Take some time to wander the memorial garden of whitewashed chedi in front of the monastery, which contain the ashes of generations of Lanna royalty.

Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University is located on the same grounds and foreigners often join the popular Monk Chat and English-language meditation retreats.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chiang Mai attractions

1. Chiang Mai University Art Center

0.34 MILES

The Faculty of Fine Arts displays temporary exhibitions of contemporary Thai and international artists at its own gallery near the Th Nimmanhaemin/Th…

3. Pratu Suan Dok

0.71 MILES

One of Chiang Mai's medieval gates, all of which were rebuilt in the 1960s and renovated in the 1990s.

4. Suan Buak Hat

0.92 MILES

The old city’s only public park is a delightful spot to unwind, particularly as the afternoon sun slides towards the horizon. In the mornings and evenings…

5. Wat Phra Singh

0.96 MILES

Chiang Mai's most revered temple, Wat Phra Singh is dominated by an enormous, mosaic-inlaid wí·hăhn (sanctuary). Its prosperity is plain to see from the…

6. Chiang Mai University

1.05 MILES

The main campus of Chiang Mai's famous public university occupies a 2.9-sq-km wedge of land about 2km west of the city centre, partly covered by forest…

7. Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham

1.1 MILES

Not to be confused with the small Wat Umong in the old city, this historic forest wát is famed for its sylvan setting and its ancient chedi, above a brick…

8. Wat Lok Moli

1.12 MILES

A handsome wooden complex dotted with terracotta sculptures, this is one of the most attractive wát outside the city walls. It is thought to have been…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai/attractions/wat-suan-dok/a/poi-sig/1243208/357655",
      "destination": "Chiang-Mai",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Thailand",
      "city": "Chiang-Mai",
      "position": "superzone"
    }