CULTURE Chiang Mai, Thailand

Old City Temples & Lanna Culture Walk

Chiang Mai's first king built his first temple here in 1296, inside the square mile still bounded by a moat and crumbling brick walls. One pagoda lost a third of its height to an earthquake in 1545. Another held the Emerald Buddha for over two hundred years before Bangkok got it.

4.9·TAT Certified·14 Booked

Duration~4h

Private TourJust Your Group

TransportIncluded

Hotel Pickup7:30–9 AM

About this tour

Chiang Mai's moat still traces King Mangrai's original 1296 boundary. Inside it, four temples tell the city's first two centuries in stone: the elephant-supported chedi at the oldest, the earthquake-shortened tower at Wat Chedi Luang that once housed the Emerald Buddha, and the teak walls of Wat Phan Tao, quiet enough that most tour groups don't stop.

Old City Temples & Lanna Culture Walk — Chiang Mai private tour

Old City Temples & Lanna Culture Walk — experience with guide

Old City Temples & Lanna Culture Walk highlights at Chiang Mai

Tour Highlights

Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai's oldest temple, founded in 1296 and guarded by an elephant-supported chedi
The half-collapsed 15th-century tower at Wat Chedi Luang, which held the Emerald Buddha now in Bangkok for over 200 years
Wat Phra Singh's Lai Kham chapel, its walls painted with scenes of everyday Lanna life
The Three Kings Monument, marking the spot where Chiang Mai's location was chosen in 1296

Itinerary

Tour runs approx. 4h

Hotel Pickup

Your guide meets you in the lobby and you head into the Old City together.

Wat Chiang Man

Chiang Mai's oldest temple, built the same year the city was founded. See the elephant-supported chedi and the small crystal Buddha kept inside the viharn.

Wat Chedi Luang

Walk around the brick chedi that once stood over 80 metres tall, before a 1545 earthquake took off the top third. This is also where the Emerald Buddha lived for more than 200 years.

Wat Phra Singh

The Lai Kham chapel's wall paintings and the temple's golden chedi, a short tuk-tuk ride from Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Phan Tao & Three Kings Monument

A quiet teak-walled temple, followed by the bronze monument marking where three kings agreed on the site for Chiang Mai in 1296.

Hotel Drop-off

Your guide returns you to your hotel.

Included in Your Tour

Hotel Pickup

Complimentary Hotel Pickup

Any hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Instructions: We will pick you up directly from your hotel lobby. Your private guide and driver will arrive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Please be ready in your lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time (7:30–9 AM).

Included

Private hotel pickup and drop-off (Chiang Mai)
Expert local English-speaking guide
Private tuk-tuk transfers between temples
Entrance fees to all listed attractions
Bottled water and cold towels

Excluded

Gratuities (optional)
Alcoholic beverages
Personal purchases

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Camera or smartphone
Light, breathable clothing, shoulders and knees covered, required at all temples

Hi, I'm Monika!

TAT Certified Guide · Thai Native & Food Lover

“Born in Chiang Mai and based in Bangkok, I started 'Hi Monika' to show travellers the authentic side of my country — the places my friends and family actually hang out. I love sharing our food, our culture, and the hidden stories of our neighbourhoods.”

Guest Reviews

4.9

“Monika was incredible! We saw parts of Chiang Mai we never would have found on our own. The street food was amazing and we felt completely safe the entire time.”

Sarah L.October 2024

“Perfectly organised and so much more personal than a group tour. Monika knew exactly when to go to each spot to avoid the crowds.”

James & EmmaSeptember 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Will we have the tour to ourselves?

Yes — this is strictly a private tour for you and your loved ones only. No other guests, no shared buses, no waiting around for people you have never met. The guide, the vehicle and the entire day are exclusively yours.

Can I change the date after booking?

Yes — contact us via WhatsApp or email at least 12 hours before the tour start time and we will reschedule your tour once at no extra cost, subject to availability. Subsequent reschedules are subject to a THB 1,500 fee.

What happens if it rains?

Chiang Mai weather is unpredictable. Tours operate rain or shine — we provide umbrellas if needed and adapt the itinerary where possible. If severe weather makes the tour unsafe, you'll receive a full reschedule or refund.

Do I need to pay anything on the day?

No. The price covers everything: entrance fees, all transport, bottled water and lunch. Just bring spending money for any personal shopping or optional extras.

Note: many local vendors and restaurants do not accept credit cards — cash is always the safest option.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. The pace and itinerary are adapted to your group. Let us know the ages of your children when booking so we can plan accordingly.

Know before you go

Dress Code: Shoulders and knees must be covered at all four temples. Light layers you can adjust are more comfortable than borrowed wraps at the entrance.

Accessibility: Walking is mostly on flat paved ground within temple grounds, with short tuk-tuk rides between sites. Contact us before booking if you have mobility requirements.

Dietary Needs: We can accommodate vegetarian diets, please let us know when booking.

Weather: Mornings are the most comfortable time to walk the Old City before the midday heat builds, which is why we start early.

Crowds: Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang get busy with tour groups by mid-morning. The early start keeps you ahead of most of them.