MUST VISIT Temple in Chiang Mai – Wat Lok Molee

After a few posts of where to eat and things to do. Today I would like to recommend the 5 MUST visit temples in Chiangmai. As an old city in Chiangmai, there are lots of temples. It’s not possible to visit all of them in a few days and guess you might not know which should be worth  to visit or they might look all similar to you. I have posted a Secret Jungle Temple in Wat Pha Lat which is a little far away from the city. However the below were situated in the old city and it takes you only a few walks if you already in the city. Thus if you plan your trip in Chiangmai for only 3-4 days, it probably takes you 2 days to visit all of my recommended temples. So let me introduce the first MUST Visit Temple – Wat Lok Molee.

MUST VISIT TEMPLE #1 – Wat Lok Molee

Wat – Thai language means Temple. Wat Lok Molee is situated next to the busy street near northern Chang Phuak city gate. It was originally built in 1367 CE, the Mengrai Dynasty. Monks were used to spread their teachings in the temple and they were housed in here as well. Wat Lok Molee probably is the oldest temple in the city. The Wat is free for entry so doesn’t looks like a few temples which you have to pay.  There were 2 elephants at the entrance gate, they seems like a guard to protect the Wat. The fine details of the elephant cravings was breathtaking.

When I was there it’s about 07:00 p.m and there’s no one but only myself. (well my hubby was being in foot massage as he have not interest at all!) Anyways, I enjoyed so much myself walking around this temple. The temple kept open until night and whole environment is so serene. There were 2 silver trees at entrance and believe that was like a wish tree as I found the notes on a silver leaf. I guess they wish one day the god might hear it and fulfill their needs?

Something you need to know before you step into the temple. You shall take off your shoes , and make sure you wear properly(short pants or sleeveness were not allow) and keep quiet while you were visiting in order to respect the buddha. There was huge, almost 4 ft tall gold buddha statue in the centre of the temple. The crafting was so beautiful and the whole environment was so peaceful and stunning. You can see how they respect the Buddha with such an amazing temple.

The Secret Jungle Temple – Wat Pha Lat in Chiangmai Northern Thailand

After went to Chiangmai zoo, I then decided to go to the hidden temple – Wat Pha Lat (Wat Palad) . A Jungle temple which is closed to the zoo and you can either choose to hike by following the trail of the monks or you can take a car to arrive. As I’m not a good hiker so which would be better to take the ‘Songthaewsto’ – The Red Truck to this special hidden places.

Before I decided to visit this place, I have read the story behind and found it is so mysterious and attractive. There’s almost NO reason for me not to come! Personally I don’t really like to visit the very ‘Tourist’ place and a place where less tourist would find the peaceful and of course I can feel free to take beautiful pictures without any person in my shot. So let me tell you the story before I show you more beautiful pictures of this SPECIAL temple.

The Story of the Secret Temple

Wat Pha Lat also call the “Monastery at the Sloping Rock”, was originally a resting place for people while they are walking up to worship at Doi Suthep. This temple was constructed in around 1355. The King Kuena’s White elephant has stopped and rest in Wat Pha Lat whilst walking up the mountain for it’s journey to find a place for the holy temple. Finally the white elephant then died at the high up mountain – Doi Sutheo temple ( which the famous temple) and the King ordered people to construct a temple in the very first place where the white elephant died. Nevertheless, he also ordered to construct the 3 places where the white elephant took rest and Wat Pha Lat is one of the place. Those places were then considered as holy places. Also Wah Pha Lat is only a few kilometers to the famous one – Doi Sutheo temple.