Wat Ku Tao

Temple Chiang Mai temple known for round chedi structure

Near Chiang Mai’s old quarter, Wat Ku Tao has a layered, rounded stupa associated with the Shan community; visitors arrive for Shan funerary traditions, temple murals and photography.

Wat Ku Tao is a Buddhist temple located in Chiang Mai city, notable for its cluster of large, bell-shaped chedis arranged close together. The chedis are whitewashed and rounded, making the temple easily identifiable from nearby streets.

The temple compound contains the main viharn and associated monastic buildings and is a local place of worship rather than a major tourist complex. The distinctive chedis are often associated with the region’s historical connections to Shan and Burmese cultures.

Detailed foundation dates and founders are not provided here, but the temple functions today as an active monastery and neighbourhood shrine.

Wat Ku Tao sits within Chiang Mai’s urban area, near the northwest edge of the old city and a short walk from the Ping River and nearby markets.

  • Distinctive chedis: The temple is notable for three large, round, whitewashed chedis that reflect Shan and Burmese stylistic influence and are a distinctive photographic subject within Chiang Mai's temple landscape.
Wat Ku Tao
Wat Ku Tao, Chiang Mai, Thailand
18.8020, 98.9890
Daily, dawn-dusk
Free

How to Get to Wat Ku Tao #

Wat Ku Tao is in central Chiang Mai within easy reach of the Old City. From the Old City and the Night Bazaar area it is a short tuk‑tuk or taxi ride or a walk of under 30 minutes depending on your starting point. From Chiang Mai Airport it is a short drive into town (around 3-5 km, typically 10-20 minutes by car); local red songthaews and tuk‑tuks provide convenient short trips to the temple.

Tips for Visiting Wat Ku Tao #

  • Go early in the morning when the small temple is quiet and the distinctive round, Burmese-influenced chedis are best lit for photos.
  • Combine a visit with nearby old-city sites-Wat Ku Tao sits close to other central temples and markets so you can see several landmarks without extra travel time.
  • Look closely at the round stupas and adjoining ordination hall-many visitors breeze past without appreciating the unique Shan/Burmese architectural influence and the temple's compact compound.

Best Time to Visit Wat Ku Tao #

Visit during the cool, dry season (November-February) for the most comfortable conditions to explore the temple.

Cool / dry
November-February · ~15-25 °C
Clear skies and cool mornings make temple visits pleasant and less humid.
Hot
March-May · ~25-36 °C
Hot weather - plan early visits to avoid the heat of the day.
Wet (monsoon)
June-October · ~24-31 °C
Heavy rain and higher humidity can make walking between sites less comfortable.

Weather & Climate near Wat Ku Tao #

Climate

Wat Ku Tao's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1068 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 90 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
41°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 29°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
0.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
15° 32°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
19° 35°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

79 Very Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
22° 36°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
23° 34°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

162 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° 33°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.1h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
23° 32°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

152 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.0h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (199 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

199 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.6h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (187 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

187 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
0.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 28°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
0.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

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