Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang
Temple Twin lakeside temples with distinctive teak architecture
By Mae Hong Son’s Jong Kham lake, Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang show Burmese-influenced roofs beside water; visitors come for lakeside views, photography and morning alms rounds.
Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang are two neighboring lakeside temples in the centre of Mae Hong Son town, positioned on the shore of a small urban lake. They are visually linked and commonly visited together.
Wat Jong Kham sits right at the water’s edge and features wooden and Lanna-Burmese decorative elements; Wat Jong Klang lies immediately adjacent and forms the pair often seen in photographs taken from the lakeside promenade. The temples and their reflections on the lake are particularly photographed around sunset.
Both function as local community temples within Mae Hong Son town and reflect the hybrid Lanna and Burmese architectural influences of the region. They are a short walk from Mae Hong Son’s central market and municipal area.
- Lakeside setting: Located on the shore of a small central lake in Mae Hong Son town, making the pair a popular subject for sunset photography.
How to Get to Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang #
Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang sit beside the small lake in downtown Mae Hong Son. From Chiang Mai you can take the daily minibus/van service from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Mae Hong Son (the trip is a long mountain drive of roughly 5-6 hours, about 250 km by road). Once in Mae Hong Son town the temples are a short walk from the main road and the local bus/van drop‑off (typically around 500-800 m); local songthaews or tuk‑tuks can also drop you at the lakefront.
Tips for Visiting Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang #
- Visit around late afternoon into sunset to catch the temples reflected on the small lake and to combine the visit with Mae Hong Son's evening market without the midday heat.
- Approach from the lakeside promenade that runs through town rather than trying to find a back road; the main lakeside entrances put you closest to the wooden Burmese-style bell towers and viewing points.
- Take time to circle both temples-many visitors only photograph the lakeside façade and miss the teakwork, carved windows and quieter prayer halls on the far side of the complex.
Best Time to Visit Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang #
Visit during the cool, dry season (November-February) for the most comfortable weather and clearer skies.
Weather & Climate near Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang #
Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 37°C. Abundant rainfall (1265 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and clear sunny skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 28°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (175 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (175 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (244 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (199 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.