Wat Pha Lat
Wat Pha Lat
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
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Top ways to experience Wat Pha Lat
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  • Arie
    Los Angeles, California20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Serene Wat
    Wat Pha Lat is one of my favorite temples that I visited in Chiang Mai. It may not have all the splash and “bling” of the better known wats, but this is exactly why I liked it so much. It is in a forest setting with a stream flowing near it and fewer tourists than the more famous wats. Make sure you don’t just look at the first two shrines when you pull off of the road; definitely go down the hill to where most of the temples are located.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 May 2023
  • Phuong N
    Jacksonville, Florida961 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing!
    If you don’t have lots of time in Chiang Mai, I recommend to skip all other temples but this one. It is very cool to walk around with lots of green. Very beautiful temple with statues, carving. Entry is free. Not crowded and commercial like Doi Suthep temple. From downtown, get a grab car or red taxi. You also can do monk trail to get to the temple. Just ask taxi /tuktuk driver,/they will drop you off at trail head.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 July 2023
  • rickrover
    Newlyn, United Kingdom129 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing surroundings
    This is a very special temple in amazing surroundings. The temples are quite small and nowhere near as opulent as Doi Suthep or Phra Singh. For us it was part of the reason we loved it. The stream and the surrounding jungle made this place very beautiful. There are good walking paths within the compound. Definitely worth visiting.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 September 2023
  • Eug
    Melbourne, Australia7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best in Chiang Mai
    For me personally, it was the best temple in all of Chiang Mai. I don’t get at all what the fuss is about all these major famous temples (in the old city), where you see a lot of golden paint, thousands of tourists (and as many donation boxes), and generally feels too commercialised. This one, in comparison, feels humble, authentic, among beautiful nature and in perfect balance with surrounding environment. Yes, people who love seeing shiny objects probably won’t like it. Me personally, for example, saw nothing special or spiritual about famous Wat Doi Suthep…
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 November 2023
  • riolola
    Finland40 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful, despite high season
    Much recommended if you’ve seen enough golden temples or need a break from the city hassle. Although on a Tuesday afternoon there were more people we expected so it wasn’t exactly a tranquil experience but very beautiful still and likely calmer than many other temple sites. A map of the area would have been nice as it wasn’t clear if each small path should be followed to cover the whole area. We took a random songthaew from Old Town up the hill and back. The private return trip cost 500/2 persons so it was not the cheapest option but on a hot day we didn’t feel like hiking or searching for a shared ride. Our driver waited for us an hour at the parking lot, but if you need more time I’m sure that can be negotiated. An hour was ok for us to look around and take pictures but for a slow enjoyment or meditative experience, reserve more time.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 December 2023
  • NAF22
    Lisbon, Portugal200 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Most special Wat in Chiang Mai
    Clearly you find dozens of Wats in CM. One at each corner almost literally. This one stays in the hills, 30’ by taxi from city center and is different from all the others in the city due to the nature context. We loved everything about it.., it has a mystic context of ruins and preserved areas… buildings, rocks and nature… seems immersed in the jungle… water running around in small cascades and channels… Beautiful context! It is possible to reach by trail and some people do it. We got one of those red truck taxis… and paid 1200 bahts round trip, including a stop/visit also at the Doi Suthep temple (more 20-30’ ride up the hill) My advice would be to start your CM visit by these 2 temples… and leave city center for later.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 27 December 2023
  • PaweenKl
    Bangkok, Thailand135 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Relaxing atmosphere
    Beautiful scenery with peaceful atmosphere. Many things to see here including a short trek with a small stream, view of the city and the temple itself. Worth a stop on the way to Doi Suthep.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 February 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles567 reviews
Excellent
456
Very good
88
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
9

PaweenKl
Bangkok, Thailand135 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Beautiful scenery with peaceful atmosphere. Many things to see here including a short trek with a small stream, view of the city and the temple itself. Worth a stop on the way to Doi Suthep.
Written 27 February 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.

ClunkNebbermorth
Cardiff, UK476 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Beautiful temple complex in the forest on a hillside. Very peaceful too and not too crowded. 10 mins or so outside the city, and a sensible stop on the way to Doi Suthep if you are going.
Written 18 January 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.

st3st
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Fun hike with great opportunity for pictures. Highly recommend if there is time. Getting busier with other people but it is worth it. 1.5 hours round trip and a little steep at the top.
Written 7 January 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.

CriticalLis
Bournemouth, UK112 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
A beautiful old way on the side of the hillside with a waterfall running through it. So cal and peaceful.
Look out for the orb weaver spiders - there’s loads of them in the bushes and over the stream and waterfall - many of them are huge!
Written 3 January 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.

NAF22
Lisbon, Portugal200 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Clearly you find dozens of Wats in CM. One at each corner almost literally.
This one stays in the hills, 30’ by taxi from city center and is different from all the others in the city due to the nature context.
We loved everything about it.., it has a mystic context of ruins and preserved areas… buildings, rocks and nature… seems immersed in the jungle… water running around in small cascades and channels…
Beautiful context!
It is possible to reach by trail and some people do it. We got one of those red truck taxis… and paid 1200 bahts round trip, including a stop/visit also at the Doi Suthep temple (more 20-30’ ride up the hill)
My advice would be to start your CM visit by these 2 temples… and leave city center for later.
Written 27 December 2023
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.

mlmdaisy
Odessa, FL18,465 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
I really enjoyed seeing the older temples and this was one of my favorites. It's well worth your time if you're staying in Chiang Mai.
Written 23 December 2023
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.

riolola
Finland40 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Much recommended if you’ve seen enough golden temples or need a break from the city hassle. Although on a Tuesday afternoon there were more people we expected so it wasn’t exactly a tranquil experience but very beautiful still and likely calmer than many other temple sites. A map of the area would have been nice as it wasn’t clear if each small path should be followed to cover the whole area.

We took a random songthaew from Old Town up the hill and back. The private return trip cost 500/2 persons so it was not the cheapest option but on a hot day we didn’t feel like hiking or searching for a shared ride. Our driver waited for us an hour at the parking lot, but if you need more time I’m sure that can be negotiated. An hour was ok for us to look around and take pictures but for a slow enjoyment or meditative experience, reserve more time.
Written 12 December 2023
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.

Eug
Melbourne, Australia7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
For me personally, it was the best temple in all of Chiang Mai.

I don’t get at all what the fuss is about all these major famous temples (in the old city), where you see a lot of golden paint, thousands of tourists (and as many donation boxes), and generally feels too commercialised.

This one, in comparison, feels humble, authentic, among beautiful nature and in perfect balance with surrounding environment.

Yes, people who love seeing shiny objects probably won’t like it.
Me personally, for example, saw nothing special or spiritual about famous Wat Doi Suthep…
Written 5 November 2023
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.

rickrover
Newlyn, UK129 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
This is a very special temple in amazing surroundings. The temples are quite small and nowhere near as opulent as Doi Suthep or Phra Singh. For us it was part of the reason we loved it. The stream and the surrounding jungle made this place very beautiful. There are good walking paths within the compound. Definitely worth visiting.
Written 16 September 2023
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.

Phuong N
Jacksonville, FL961 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
If you don’t have lots of time in Chiang Mai, I recommend to skip all other temples but this one. It is very cool to walk around with lots of green. Very beautiful temple with statues, carving. Entry is free. Not crowded and commercial like Doi Suthep temple. From downtown, get a grab car or red taxi. You also can do monk trail to get to the temple. Just ask taxi /tuktuk driver,/they will drop you off at trail head.
Written 20 July 2023
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.

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WAT PHA LAT: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Wat Pha Lat