Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok is a historic royal Buddhist temple located on Suthep Road west of Chiang Mai's old city in Suthep sub-district. Founded in 1371 by King Kue Na of the Lanna Kingdom to enshrine a relic of the Buddha, it is notable for its large 48-meter bell-shaped chedi, a group of whitewashed chedis containing ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family, and its role as a center for Buddhist education.

Visitors can expect an open, tranquil temple compound with a large central viharn, a prominent gilded chedi, and a distinctive garden of white chedis containing royal ashes. The grounds include an open-air assembly hall, Buddha images, historic murals, and shaded courtyards. Visitors can walk around the chedi field, observe monks, participate in the Monk Chat program, and explore the temple's university campus area.

Founded in 1371 (B.E. 1914) by King Kue Na, the 6th king of the Mangrai dynasty, on the site of a former flower garden (Suan Dok). Built to enshrine a relic of the Buddha brought by Sumana Thera, with the main chedi constructed in 1373. Later restored and expanded, including the royal cemetery chedis added in the early 20th century to house ashes of the Chiang Mai royal family.

Classified as a Royal Temple of the Third Class (Ratchaworawihan), Wat Suan Dok is an important center of Theravada Buddhism in northern Thailand. It houses a campus of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, hosts meditation and Monk Chat programs for visitors, and remains an active place of worship and merit-making for the local community.