Wat Prathat Doi Kham is one of the best and famous Wat in Cheing Mai

Wat Phrathat Doi Kham is a magnificent sight and the site is suppose to have an excellent view of Chiang Mai city.

Wat Phrathat Doi Kham is actually older than the city of Chiang Mai. It was established in the 7th century by the sons of Queen Chamadevi of the Haripunchai Kingdom, who had her capital in the nearby city of Lamphun. The Haripunchai Kingdom was a populated by the Mon people, who were the first to bring Buddhism to Northern Thailand.

Phra That Doi Kham Temple is mainly visited by Thai’s who come to visit the 17-metre-tall image of sitting Buddha. The Buddha can be seen from the bottom of the hill and is decorated in gold lending to the temple’s nickname ‘the golden temple’. The large seated Buddha image of Wat Phra That Doi Kham is visible from far, being located on the foothills of the mountains south of Chiang Mai.

In the temple itself, there is also ” Luang Por Tun Jai”, the Buddha image of success which people love to visit the temple to worship and make a wish. An announcer will broadcast through the temple’s PA system that the garland offering has to be “pledged” in multiples of 50, and you can only make 1 wish at a time. But if your wish does come true in 3 months, you must return to fulfil your promise with the jasmin garlands to worship and showing their gratitude to the Buddha image which you could see all jasmin garlands pile up on the table in front of the small chapel where the Buddha image places inside.

The oldest structure of the Wat Phrathat Doi Kham temple is the chedi (pagoda. Walking around the pagoda area , visitors could see the small houses of the Gods and Goddesses  who protect the  temple area as well such as the 2 Giants Gods who protect the temple ground and the people in that area , the statue of Wasuthep Ruesii ( The hermit ) who use to meditation up on Doi Suthep Mountain and protect Doi Suthep Temple as present , Queen Jamathewee of Hariphunchai ( Lamphun province) as well as some other Gods and Goddesses around the pagoda base.

There is an interesting folktale about Lord Buddha visiting this temple and meeting a rakshasa (demon) family who tried to eat him. Lord Buddha conquered them by sending them his kindness, which they could not stand. The rakshasa family eventually converted, revering our Lord Buddha, and also gave up consuming human flesh.

The temple grounds include a large terrace that gives a vantage point out over fields and towards the city below. From the viewpoints you will have great views of the surrounding area including nearby Royal Park Ratchaphruek.

Entrance Ticket : Foreigners pay 30 Baht entrance fee.

How to get to Wat Phrathat Doi Kham ?

This temple is situated in Tambon Mae Hia, Amphoe Mueang about 12 kilometers from Chiang Mai City.

Opening Hours : Daily from 08:00 am. – 05:00 pm.

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