Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is one of Chiang Rai's oldest sacred sites, set on a low hill west of the city centre. Its chedi is said to enshrine a relic older than the founding of Chiang Rai itself.
Local tradition connects the hill with King Mengrai's choice of site for the city. The temple is quieter than Chiang Rai's modern showpiece temples, and the raised setting gives it a sense of place above the old town.