Wat Phan Tao
Temple Lanna-era wooden temple in Chiang Mai's old city
Set beside Chiang Mai’s old-city moat, Wat Phan Tao is a small teak temple known for its carved wooden ordination hall; travelers visit for Lanna woodwork and proximity to Wat Phra Singh and other historic sites.
Wat Phan Tao is a small Lanna-style Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai’s Old City noted for its timber ubosot and traditional wooden construction. The building is primarily made of teak and exhibits carved wooden details typical of northern Thai religious architecture.
The temple compound contains the ordination hall and a small shrine area used for routine religious observance and community ceremonies. Its wooden structures contrast with the brick and stucco stupas of neighbouring temple complexes.
The site reflects traditional northern Thai building techniques and is maintained as an active temple used by local residents and pilgrims.
Wat Phan Tao sits inside Chiang Mai’s Old City, immediately adjacent to the area around Wat Chedi Luang, and is reachable on foot from other central Chiang Mai temples and markets.
- Proximity: Located within Chiang Mai's Old City close to Wat Chedi Luang, it is easy to include on a short walking circuit of the central historic temples.
Tips for Visiting Wat Phan Tao #
- Go early in the morning to catch the teak architecture and decorative woodwork of Wat Phan Tao in softer light and before the larger tour groups arrive at nearby Chedi Luang.
- Approach Wat Phan Tao from the Chedi Luang/Three Kings Monument side to step straight into the quieter temple courtyard and avoid the heavier foot traffic on the main tourist route; observe customary shoe removal and modest dress inside the wooden viharn.
Best Time to Visit Wat Phan Tao #
Visit Wat Phan Tao in Chiang Mai during the cool, dry season (November-February) for the most pleasant temple experience.
Weather & Climate near Wat Phan Tao #
Wat Phan 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 (1064 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
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.
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February
February is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (149 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 (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (186 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 (114 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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