Wat Pha Lat
Moss-covered forest temple by a mountain stream, once a rest stop on a pilgrimage trail.
Location
About this audio guide
This guide to Wat Pha Lat, the forest temple on Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai, begins with a wandering white elephant that King Kue Na, around 1355, set loose carrying a relic said to be a bone of the Buddha, and the resting spot it left halfway up the mountain. For generations pilgrims climbing to the summit shrine stopped here to rest, until a paved road reached the mountaintop in 1935 and the foot traffic dried up. Listen for the stream still falling over the rocks beside the old stupas.
This audio guide was created using AI.
Similar places
Doi Suthep Hiking Trail (Wat Pha Lat)
Forest hiking trail to a jungle temple where a stream tumbles over sloping rock beside old Buddha shrines.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Golden mountaintop temple reached by a naga-flanked stair, said to mark a sacred elephant death.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Forested mountain park of waterfalls and hiking trails crowned by a golden hilltop temple.
Wat Suan Dok
Golden Sri Lankan-style royal chedi ringed by white stupas holding the ashes of Lanna kings.
Wat Umong Suan Putthatham
Forest temple of brick tunnels dug into an ancient mound, once built to shelter a wandering monk.
Suan Dok Gate
Reconstructed brick gateway in the old city wall, opening onto a road once walked by royalty.