The mountain-top Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai's major landmark. The temple perched stunningly on a mountain peak The worshippers will take 185 steps of the seven-headed Naga staircase to the top of the mountain. The gleaming golden pagoda that houses the holy relics of the Buddha is the most important site and as the heart of Phrathat Doi suthep. Some worshippers bolster their prayers and making merit by making donation to one's Birthday buddha image.

Other famous temples are Wat Chiang Mun. Because of its auspicious name, that many worshippers should visit. Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple of Chiang Mai (constructed in the early period of Chiang Mai). Wat Chiang Man is also known as the first royal temple in the city. The landmark feature of Wat Chiang Mun is its pagoda whose base is adorned with 15 elephant stuccos. These elephants seem to be on the verge of miraculously charging out of the base to protect the temple. An important Buddha image in the pose of subduing mara, Phra Buddha Setangkhamanee, or Phra Kaew Khao, is made of solid white crystal in the Dvaravati style by the Mon artisans. Phra buddha Setangkhamani is enshrined at the Viharn. It represents the Lon history of Hariphunchai and once served as a Buddha image commemorating Queen Chammathewi. The Buddha image was transferred from Lawo (Lop Buri) before the Queen ruled the Hariphunchai City. Phya Mengrai acquired Phra Kaeo Khao when he led his army to attack Hariphunchai, which was burned down and only the Phra Kaeo Khao Viharn was saved from the blaze. Another Buddha image, made by Indian artisans, Phra Buddha Sila, installed in the royal chapel. This Buddha image was made of red stone in the pose of subduing the Nakhakhiri Elephant. It is said that four Sinhala monks presented Phra Sila together with Lord Buddha's relics to Phra Sila was transferred to Wat Chiang Man in Chiang Mai after the new city was established.

The next temple is Wat Suandok. This temple was built amid the pleasure gardens of the 14th century Lanna Thai monarch, King Ku Na. Its name "Suandok" mean garden of flowers. Wat Suandok has many attractions to see. Among them are the bot, with a very impressive Chiang Saen Buddha dating from 1504 and dome garish mural; the chedi, built to hold a relic of the Buddha; and a royal cemetery with some splendid shrines. Wat Suan Dok has the largest Viharn (chapel) in the north, houses a Chiang saen style principal Buddha image known as Phra Chao Kao Tue (one of the largest bronzes in the north). The word "Tue" is the northern dialect which means a thousand "Chang" (600 gram), indicating the weight of this Buddha statue which is actually 5.4 tons.