Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Seven towers, a courtyard teeming with snakes, and hardly anyone there. That's the short version of Wat Chet Yod, the "Temple of the Seven Peaks," founded and built around 1455 to recreate Buddha's path to enlightenment. The chedi with its seven towers is unique in Chiang Mai, and there's no gilded splendor here. The buildings have a charm born of their age.

This place is particularly significant for people born in the Year of the Snake, which explains the Naga statues at the entrance and the shrine of the Snake King. Even if none of this means anything to you, a leisurely stroll around the grounds is worthwhile. There's also a small museum in the garden. What surprises most visitors is the tranquility, even though the temple is just a stone's throw from Nimman and the Maya Mall. Traffic roars nearby, but the temple seems completely unaffected.

If possible, go in the morning. The light is better then, and you'll probably only share the place with a few others, instead of a whole tour group.