Wat Phra That Cho Hae Temple
Northern Thai temple and hilltop Buddhist shrine
Perched on a hill in Phrae province, Wat Phra That Cho Hae features a chedi visited by local pilgrims; the site offers views over rice paddies and examples of northern Thai religious art.
Wat Phra That Cho Hae at a Glance#
Address: Wat Phra That Cho Hae, Cho Hae, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province, Thailand
Hours: Daily dawn-dusk
Admission: Free
Tips for Visiting Wat Phra That Cho Hae#
- Arrive early morning or late afternoon to get the best light over the Phrae plain and to avoid the mid-day heat and tour-bus groups that concentrate around the chedi.
- Take time to walk the temple terraces and lookout points around the main stupa rather than just photographing the exterior-those secondary viewpoints give wide panoramas that many visitors miss.
Best Time to Visit Wat Phra That Cho Hae#
Visit during the cool, dry season (November-February) for comfortable temperatures and clearer skies.
History & Culture of Wat Phra That Cho Hae#
One of Phrae’s more important religious sites, Wat Phra That Cho Hae dates to the Sukhothai period and sits atop a teak-covered hill about eight kilometres southeast of town. The most important part of the temple is the chedi, 33 metres high and coated in gold sheets. The name Cho Hae derives from a kind of satin that devotees wrap around the chedi.
Another reason for the temple’s fame is its principal Buddha image, the Phra Jao Than Jai, believed to change the fortunes of women who long for a child but are unable to conceive, if they pray in earnest before it. The best time to visit is in March, when the annual fair is staged and locals turn out to make merit, though the temple is popular enough that you will find people making offerings on any day of the week.
Weather & Climate near Wat Phra That Cho Hae#
Wat Phra That Cho Hae's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 15°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1158 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly 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 32°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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May
May is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (187 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (166 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (227 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (198 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
