Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
4.6
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
Built about 600 years ago, this impressive temple once housed the precious Emerald Buddha.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
8,107 reviews
Excellent
5,021
Very good
2,634
Average
407
Poor
25
Terrible
20
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Daniele Biotti
Genoa, Italy9 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Visiting Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai was an amazing experience. The architecture is breathtaking and the ancient chedi tell stories of a spiritual past. I highly recommend stopping here to immerse yourself in Thai culture and history.
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Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maratom64
Germany1,932 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Wonderful temple complex with a huge partially collapsed brick chedi. In the main temple there is a Buddha statue over 8 meters tall, next to it are 2 other statues about 4 meters high. Admission 50 Baht (November 2024). Women are not allowed into a smaller temple. Bring at least 90 minutes to visit. Highly recommended.
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Written 19 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gardengirl212
Sydney, Australia1,954 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
This is the wat of all wats!
Wat Chedi Luang, together with the Buddhist Manuscript Library and Museum is an amazing site full of fascinating things to see.
This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its enormous Chedi. It's truly magnificent. Look out for your lunar zodiac animal statue on one side of the Chedi.
If you've only got time for one Thai temple - make it this one.
Wat Chedi Luang, together with the Buddhist Manuscript Library and Museum is an amazing site full of fascinating things to see.
This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its enormous Chedi. It's truly magnificent. Look out for your lunar zodiac animal statue on one side of the Chedi.
If you've only got time for one Thai temple - make it this one.
Written 9 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberto Soriano
Valencia, Spain7,333 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Chedi is a pass with remains of the elephant statues.
Highlights include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin
In 1995, a copy of the Emerald Buddha made of black jade was placed in the reconstructed eastern niche.
Highlights include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin
In 1995, a copy of the Emerald Buddha made of black jade was placed in the reconstructed eastern niche.
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Written 21 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hannah
Christchurch, New Zealand98 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Beautiful area full with lots of small temples and of course incredible large ones. Can get quite busy especially when tours come through, 100TBH entry for adults and 50 for kids. Theres rules for dressing appropriately but they have sarongs you can borrow for a 100TBH deposit.
Written 28 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK1,86,135 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
This temple has been around since the 15th century and once housed the famed Emerald Buddha, which is now in Bangkok. The old brick chedi is still in the temple complex and continues to be used as a place of worship. The main temple is now a more modern building in front of the car entrance. This has a stunning read and gold hall with a high altar that has a statue of a standing Buddha, flanked by two monks.
Written 17 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
喜樂選
Taipei, Taiwan1,477 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Chedi Luang stands for the Great Fontaine, which, as the name suggests, houses a huge Lannah-style Great Fontaine, the tallest building in Chiang Mai to date. That is why it is also called the "Great Fata Temple." Futa was 90 meters high, but after a major earthquake in 1545, it was only 60 meters high. Although the tower has collapsed due to the earthquake, it is still the highest and most prestigious temple building in Chiang Mai.
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Written 28 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
경내 gyoungnae
Asan, South Korea550 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Wat Chedding Luang, which means Temple with a Big Stupa.
It was originally a massive 90 meters tall, but due to an earthquake, it remains 60 meters high.
When I saw it in person, my jaw dropped at its enormous size.
I've been to many places, but I've never seen such a beautiful and unique stupa.
There is a 50 baht entrance fee.
It was originally a massive 90 meters tall, but due to an earthquake, it remains 60 meters high.
When I saw it in person, my jaw dropped at its enormous size.
I've been to many places, but I've never seen such a beautiful and unique stupa.
There is a 50 baht entrance fee.
Written 20 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty Kanyaporn
390 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
"Temple of the Big Stupa," is a captivating landmark in Chiang Mai. Construction began in the 14th century as a resting place for a king's ashes. Witness the passage of time through the weathered structure, a testament to the Lanna Kingdom's legacy.
The grand chedi, once the tallest structure in Chiang Mai, suffered damage from earthquakes over the centuries. Learn about the fascinating story of its construction, deterioration, and partial reconstruction.
Wander the temple grounds, taking in the serene atmosphere and admiring the smaller buildings and sculptures that complete the complex.
As with many temples in Thailand, visitors are expected to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
The grand chedi, once the tallest structure in Chiang Mai, suffered damage from earthquakes over the centuries. Learn about the fascinating story of its construction, deterioration, and partial reconstruction.
Wander the temple grounds, taking in the serene atmosphere and admiring the smaller buildings and sculptures that complete the complex.
As with many temples in Thailand, visitors are expected to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Written 26 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Divisa65
Creteil, France844 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
When the upper part of the giant stupa collapsed, the Emerald Buddha (actually jade) was discovered (Guide info). He is currently in Bangkok, in the Royal Palace. There are beautiful elephants on the lower part of the stupa. The surroundings of the temple are very beautiful. The monks are divinely well housed. Their houses are very beautiful. As always, there is gold and golden Buddhas galore.
Automatically translated
Written 24 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Women need to wear long pants or a long dress or sarong and conservative blouse. Men need to have knee length shorts and t shirt, no tank tops.
Written 30 July 2019
Quanto tempo serve per visitare il tempio?
How long does it take to visit the temple?
Written 25 July 2019
Circa 30-40 minuti sono sufficienti
Written 26 July 2019
Hello! What time would be the best time to visit for Monk Chat ?
Written 5 December 2017
Hi, Not sure if there are set time or if there are one or more all day during opening hours. We saw a Monk sat with someone having a chat when we were there. That was around 15:00pm. I read somewhere that the earlier the better. Not perfect answer but hope it helps
Written 5 December 2017
May i know what time does the emple close? Some websites say 6pm but lonely planet says 10pm. i wish to visit it at night.
Written 17 June 2017
I doubt the temple will close that late, and it's more than likely to close around 6-7pm... The monks staying in the Chedi Luang need to rest anyway! :)
Written 18 June 2017
Hello may i verify the opening hours for the temple? Some websites says it closes on the evening but lonelyplanet says it closes at 10pm. The nightview would be after 6pm i guess?
Written 17 June 2017
Hi Kuan,
I verified this with my friend who lives in Chiang Mai. The temple is open from 8:00AM-5:00PM everyday. Hope this helps!
Written 17 June 2017
I have gone 2 days in a row and can't find monk chat! I went to the north side of the temple where it was supposed to be, but no luck. Please help!
Written 26 May 2017
As you enter the area from the road - the main temple is straight in front of you.
Go around to the right and they are usually sat under/by a small tree facing the main temple.
Hope you find them - have fun.
Written 27 May 2017
Do I need to come with a tour operator here? Is there an entrance fee?
Written 27 September 2016
Hi there. You can enter/drive right into this temple. There is no ticket or tour guide needed. You may stay as long as you want. This temple is a MUST. Enjoy!
Written 27 September 2016
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