Wat Ku Tao is located north of the city centre near Chiang Mai Stadium on Sanam Kila Road. The Wat, which dates from 1613, is situated in a quiet and peaceful compound lined with several large trees.

The Wat is best known for its unusual chedi, which is bulbous in shape and resembles a series of sphere shaped bowls piled on top of each other. The main structure is decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is thought to be 14th century, though its precise origins are actually unknown. Other theories suggest that it only dates from 1613 and the chedi represents five Buddhist monks' alms bowls which symbolize five Lord Buddha's. As this round layered Chedi resembles a water gourd, the temple is called Wat Ku Tao, which means "Temple with the Water Gourd Chedi".