Wat Pha Lat is a unique forest temple in Chiang Mai that not many people know about. If you are lucky, you may be the ONLY visitor of this hidden gem!
This is the 4th part of a 7-post series: Temples of Chiang Mai. If you missed the first three posts, you can check them out here:
Now let's continue our journey and visit Wat Pha Lat.
Will You Join Me?
Wat Pha Lat
Unlike the temples we have visited so far, Wat Pha Lat is not situated in the city.
This temple is located on Doi Suthep mountain, in the forest. Because it has been built amidst the trees, Wat Pha Lat has a very different feel to it than the city temples.
What’s really cool is that you can hike up to the temple on a a monk’s trail.
This trail is actually used by monks to move between the temple and the city. For example, if they go out to collect alms early in the morning, or when they visit the campus of the Buddhist Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya university in Wat Suan Dok.
I have hiked up to Wat Pha Lat many times! It only takes about 30 minutes or so, and the trail is not too steep.
When I first arrived at the temple at the end of the trail, I felt a little bit like Indiana Jones!
All of sudden this magical temple emerged in the lush, exotic jungle.
Come, walk with me, as we explore this temple.
Upon arrival, we first see these white Buddha statues to the left.
Next to the white statues is the end of the path that we hiked on to get here. Let's walk a bit further.
A waterfall runs right through the temple grounds. It is not always flowing with water though. My tip: come here late in – or just after – the rainy season! Then you will have the biggest chance of seeing water flow here, which will add to the magical feeling this place can instill.
Today we are lucky. It's rainy season now, which means that the rocks have turned into a waterfall!
A Thai woman is performing some kind of ritual, perhaps asking for a blessing. Notice how she's completely dressed in white.
The rocks offer a spectacular view on the city of Chiang Mai.
Here's the view on another day:
To the right of the waterfalls are stairs, but we will first need to pass this scary looking guard.
As we keep walking, we notice how quiet it is here.
I am aware of every step I take, careful not to disrupt anything.
Crickets chirp, a soft breeze blows. The sounds of the jungle are omnipresent.
Where many other Buddhist temples in Thailand all seem to be based on the same architectural blueprint, Wat Pha Lat’s temple buildings and grounds are unique.
As we walk around, we notice sculptures that look like they have been there for ages.
There are of course elephants.
It is impossible not to feel a sense of stillness and wonder here.
It’s so peaceful here, these colorful butterflies don’t even entertain the possibility that someone may cause them harm. I was able to take this photo without even zooming in the lens!
To the left, we see this building.
It has beautifully decorated doors, with Buddhist imagery.
Right behind this building is a door that, although its colors are fading, is perhaps even more beautiful.
In the back is a stupa, that is completely overgrown with green vegetation.
As we walk even further, we notice this giant Buddha statue, with an elephant and a monkey asking him for his blessing.
If you visit Wat Pha Lat, you may want to bring a gift for the monks that live here. They depend on alms for their livelihood.
One day, I brought some fruit with me, and had to chance to sit down with a young monk (who spoke English surprisingly well). We chatted about his life as a monk, and at the end I got to formally offer him the fruit I brought, receiving his blessing in return.
As we continue exploring the temple grounds, we come across this well arranged plate of different food offerings.
All across the terrain are different kinds of statues.
Our tour is coming to an end. This temple building is the most sacred area:
When inside, it almost feels electrically charged. I have gone here multiple times to do meditations, and they were always very powerful experiences.
Wat Pha Lat is well worth the visit if you traveling to Chiang Mai. This mysterious temple is often overlooked by tourists. When you arrive – especially when it’s not high season – It is very possible that you are the only visitor!
Have You Ever Visited a Temple in Thailand?
Let me Know in the Comments!
This post is part of the Temples of Chiang Mai-series, in which we visit the following temples:
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Suan Dok
- Wat Phra Singh
- Wat Pha Lat
- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
- Wat Umong
- Wat Phra That Doi Kham
In the next post, we will visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep!
Credit: all images are my own.