Wat Pha Lat
Wat Pha Lat
4.5
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- ArieLos Angeles, California20 contributionsSerene WatWat 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 2023Travelled soloWritten 8 May 2023
- Phuong NJacksonville, Florida961 contributionsAmazing!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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 July 2023
- rickroverNewlyn, United Kingdom129 contributionsAmazing surroundingsThis 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 September 2023
- EugMelbourne, Australia7 contributionsThe best in Chiang MaiFor 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 2023Travelled soloWritten 5 November 2023
- riololaFinland40 contributionsBeautiful, despite high seasonMuch 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 December 2023
- NAF22Lisbon, Portugal200 contributionsMost special Wat in Chiang MaiClearly 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 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 27 December 2023
- PaweenKlBangkok, Thailand135 contributionsRelaxing atmosphereBeautiful 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 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
567 reviews
Excellent
456
Very good
88
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
9
PaweenKl
Bangkok, Thailand135 contributions
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
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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…
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
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
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.
valeria c
Turin, Italy81 contributions
E’ possibile andare a piedi da Chiang Mai vecchia fino al Wat pha lat e poi ancora al Doi Suthep? O meglio farsi portare per questione di tempo?
Elana_K
Chicago, IL1,110 contributions
Is the hike up to the temple via the Monk's Trail worth it, or better off to be dropped off at the temple directly? I've seen mixed reviews. Some have said the hiking route is not very scenic. May be better off hiking somewhere else.
JDZatSF
San Francisco, CA1,119 contributions
This is a very subjective issue, but I very much enjoyed my 45-minute hike to the temple and I felt like it made my experience there more meaningful and enjoyable. Afterward, I caught a ride back to town.
Elana_K
Chicago, IL1,110 contributions
If you don't have your own transportation, what is the best/most reliable way to get a ride back to the city once you are done visiting here?
Sergio Teixeira
Rio de Janeiro, RJ261 contributions
What is the best way to get to this location? How much is the transfer? Would this place have a parking? What would be the cost?
Tuncay Ilege
Frankfurt, Germany1,277 contributions
You can use a shared Taxi for 120 Bhat or 500 Baht for a privat Taxi. There is a Parking available.
Tanuj M
New Delhi, India7 contributions
Is there a way to take the monk's trail up to wat phrathat doi suthep via wat pha lat?
Rachel W
Los Angeles, CA40 contributions
Yes, there's another trail right up the road from Wat Pha La. It's steeper and a bit more complicated than the Monk's trail. Take lots of water. There's a few blog posts if you Google Monk's trail.
Samgp
56 contributions
Hola, subes directamente andando desde Chiang Mai al Wat Pha Lat??Cuanto tardas??
Ciao a tutti,
tra due settimane sarò a Chiang Mai, volevo chiedere come arrivare al Wat Pha Lat..
tuk tuk? altri mezzi?
quanto è circa il costo della trasferta dal centro di Chiang Mai?
Quanto tempo devo calcolare per la visita?
grazie a chi mi risponderà..
allstargame
Pistoia, Italia319 contributions
Noi abbiamo contrattato per un taxi con cui fare un giro a disposizione per tutta la giornata, che ci ha portato anche al cimitero reale e al tempio della montagna con fermata per pausa pranzo ad un ristorante.
Contrattando si arrivano a prezzi decenti mi sembra sui 60 euro totali per 3 persone per tutto il giorno.
In tuk non è comodissimo perché e abbastanza fuori e la strada in salita e il prezzo magari non è poi così basso.
theodagmardevries
Amstelveen, The Netherlands16 contributions
Hi Matthias,
wij zijn volgend jaar januari weer voor een paar dagen in Chiang Mai en willen graag wat minder toeristische dingen doen zoals dit tempelcomplex.
Hoe is de weg naar de tempel, ik heb heuparthrose en kan niet meer hele steile wegen lopen.
Ik hoor het graag!
Vriendelijke groet, Dagmar
Matthias H
Antwerp, Belgium245 contributions
Hallo Dagmar,
Wij hebben gekozen om de wandeling door de jungle te doen naar deze tempel. De mensen van onze hostel hebben een taxi geregeld tot aan de voet van deze wandeling.
Deze is best stevig bergop en op smalle weggetjes. Als ik het goed heb kan je ook gewoon met een taxi via de gewone weg tot aan de ingang komen.
Groeten,
Matthias
Clicklisa
70 contributions
-What is the best time of day to visit as far as lighting for photography. Morning or late afternoon?
-I'll be going in November. If I was just going to hike up and then catch a ride down what is the latest you'd start on the trail? Sunset is about 5:50.
Thank you.
fitzcarraldo
Ko Samui, Thailand255 contributions
The grounds look down to the East and towards Chiang Mai so the direction that the sun rises. The sun sets behind Doi suthep mountain, which is behind the temple grounds. Both times of day are gorgeous, depending if you want pictures of the view down to Chiang Mai, or of the temple buildings themselves
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Claim your listingWAT PHA LAT: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Wat Pha Lat
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Wat Pha Lat:
- Best Day Trip Chiangmai City Temple+Doi Suthep+Wat Palad+Home Industries (From £84.80)
- The Best City Tour View Points Wat Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Pha Lat (From £43.87)
- Chiang Mai City Tour with Doi Suthep and View Point (SHA Plus) (From £44.12)
- Chiang Mai City Tour with Doi Suthep and View Point (From £44.12)
- Half Day Doi Suthep Temple and short trekking on monk trail (Private Tour) (From £52.96)
- Hotels near Wat Pha Lat:
- (0.22 mi) ZZZ Crest Chiang Mai
- (2.30 mi) akyra Manor Chiang Mai
- (2.26 mi) Art Mai Gallery Hotel
- (2.25 mi) BED Nimman Hotel
- (1.90 mi) BED Changkian Adults Only
- Restaurants near Wat Pha Lat:
- (0.28 mi) Chiangmai Coffee Stop
- (2.02 mi) Uchi Japanese Gastro Bar
- (2.52 mi) Baan Mae Restaurant & Café Chiang Mai
- (2.30 mi) Italics & Rise at Akyra Manor Chiang Mai
- (2.11 mi) KOBQ - Korean Barbecue Restaurant