Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Day 8
Buddhist temples are called “Wats” in Thailand. Chiang Mai, being the capital of the north, holds the significance of architectural wonders in Thailand, which is easily reflected by more than 300 Wats it shelters. It is wise to choose few of the important and beautiful temples of the city and explore them. This is my second visit to Chiang Mai, and I explored few new wats along with few old ones that are my all-time favorites.
Highlights of the Day
- Wat Suan Dok
- Wat Umong
- Wat Phra Singh
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Lok Molee
- Taste from Heaven
Culture Tour of Chiang Mai
We arranged a tuk-tuk who would take us to five wats I had already planned to visit within 4 hours.
The day started off late. The hostel has basic food like toasts, jam, fruits, and also tea always available at the ground floor. We had a brunch of it. I spoke to the tour-desk at the reception of the hostel and discussed with her how to visit few wats I already have in my mind. She told us that the best way for four people is to take a tuk-tuk round trip for few hours. We started at 1 PM.
Wat Suan Dok
The first wat we visited was located just west of the old walled part of Chiang Mai. The tuk-tuk took around 15 min to reach there.
Wat Umong
Wat Umong is further down the road 10 min away from Wat Suan Dok toward Doi Suthep mountain. The temple is set in a forested area. It also has a natural lake. This makes the Wat Umong an excellent place for meditation.
Wat Phra Singh
Next wat we visited was inside the old walled city of Chiang Mai – it was Wat Phra Singh. It is a well-known temple of Chiang Mai. You have to pay 20 ฿ to enter the main monastery.
Wat Chedi Luang
Next in our list was one of Chiang Mai’s most important temples – Wat Chedi Luang, which was also located in the ancient walled part of the city.
Wat Lok Molee
The last wat for the day was Wat Lok Molee. It is situated just outside of the walled ancient city.
Taste from Heaven
The restaurant claims to use no meat, no MSG, no chemicals, and no preservatives – what else would you want!
The tuk-tuk dropped us at Tha Phae Gate from where we walked to a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant – Taste from Heaven.
It was almost 6 PM and we decided to have an early dinner – Thai style.
It cost us only 125 ฿ per person for a great meal.
I have read many reviews of this restaurant in HappyCow and TripAdvisor and have longed enough to try the food there. It serves delicious Thai and Western home-style cooked food. I must say, this is one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants I have ever visited in Thailand until now. The restaurant is owned by Nan – a beautiful, humble, and kind Thai lady – share a conversation with her if possible. We walked to our hostel post dinner that was within 2 km distance.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 8 in Thailand – Chiang Mai.
- Getting around: 250
- Entrance fee to a temple: 20
- Food: 220
Total expense (roughly): 490 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Senior Citizen-Friendly Thailand Trip in 12 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Nan who owns the restaurant sounds lovely – would be amazing to visit here and try the food and sit to have a chat with her 🙂 I haven’t visited Thailand yet – maybe one day! x
You are most welcome.
I have never been to Thailand before, but I would gladly visit all the places you mentioned in this blog post. The dishes shown in the pictures look very tasty. I would like to try it, because I like world cuisine specialties.
Thai food is just heavenly.
This Chiang Mai post is very thorough! I feel like I was there myself. I’ve always wanted to ride in a tuk tuk. Your photos are fantastic too!
I am glad you liked them.
I’ve never been to Chiang Mai, but Wat-hopping does sound like a great idea. Each temple has a unique characteristic about it that makes it special and wonderful to explore. Nice and surprising to see the replica of the Ashoka Pillar at Wat Umong. As a foodie, Taste from Heaven sounds delightful and the perfect way to end a day that consist of visiting temples.
Temple-hopping is a thing you must not miss when in Chiang Mai.
Happy Cow – looks like my ideal restaurant. We are heading into Chiang Mai in April and I have now put this on our list of things to do. Thanks for sharing. I am also looking forward to visiting the Wats mentioned.
Happy Cow is an aggragator of veg/vegan restaurants and not a restaurant itself.
I visited Chiang Mai a couple of years ago and I had an amazing time over there. The city sure had some very interesting Wats and reading your post made me re-live the streets of Chiang Mai all over again. And the food was absolutely amazing too! Thank you for taking me down the memory lane and keep up the great week.
In love with the temples of Chiang Mai!
I was literally just in Chiang Mai a few days ago and so bummed I’d missed out on some of these! Wat Phra Singh was definitely on my list and we just didn’t have time. Didn’t know about the rest though and they are all so beautiful! The curries and vegan chocolate brownie at Taste from Heaven really do sound heavenly too. You’re making me wanna revisit Thailand already!
Please, revisit again!
Chiang Mai sounds like an amazing place! I love reading about it through your eyes. The beautiful temples would be amazing to see in person. I would love to try the red and green curry and the vegan brownie – those sound delicious!
Glad you liked it.
I”ve never beeen to Thailand but it’s at the top of my bucket list. Curry is one of my favorites, your pictures are making me drool. 🙂
You will love it here.
Nowadays I read so much about Chiang Mai that I must now plan for this trip. I love to visit different style of temples and so this place is great to me as it has amazing Buddhist temples with beautiful architecture. Being a vegetarian, I always love reading your posts as you suggest some nice vegetarian friendly restaurant like Taste of Heaven. I would definitely this one when I will be in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is a heaven for veggies.
I like the title “senior citizen friendly trip” – it comes with its own challenges. Chaing Mai is such an amazing place. As usual your pictures bring the temples to life. Would certainly be on my Thailand itinerary with parents.
Yes, it’s a great place to visit with parents.
I have been to Thailand twice , but I am yet to visit Chaing Mai. The temples or Wat in Thailand are known for their architectural designs and amazing budhist culture. You have covered quite a few of those. I am definitely going to put these on my list.
Yes, these should be on the list.