Wat Phra That ChomthongAbout Wat Phra That Chomthong
Wat Phra That Chomthong is a Buddhist temple in Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai province that enshrines a revered Buddha relic and serves as a regional pilgrimage site.
The temple complex centers on a large stupa and associated shrines and ordination halls used for worship, merit-making, and local festivals. The site is visited by pilgrims and tourists seeking religious observance and local Lanna religious architecture.
The temple has Lanna-era origins and has been maintained and restored by successive local patrons and monastic communities. It functions today as an active monastery and pilgrimage destination rather than a museum.
It sits in southern Chiang Mai province, in the Chom Thong district, and is commonly visited from the city of Chiang Mai as part of trips toward Doi Inthanon and the surrounding highlands.
- Relic and pilgrimage: Enshrines a Buddha relic and functions as an important regional pilgrimage site for northern Thailand.
- Access note: Close to Doi Inthanon and other Chiang Mai highland attractions, so often combined in day trips.
Nearby Attractions to Wat Phra That Chomthong
Best Time to Visit Wat Phra That Chomthong
Visit in the cool, dry months (November-February) for the most comfortable temple experience.
Weather & Climate near Wat Phra That Chomthong
Wat Phra That Chomthong'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 37°C. Moderate rainfall (947 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 16° - 33° | 24° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 0.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 36° | 28° | 19 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 1.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 23° - 37° | 31° | 62 mm | some cloud | 53% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Good | 24° - 34° | 33° | 145 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 100 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| July | Good | 23° - 31° | 31° | 108 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| August | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 31° | 157 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 173 mm | overcast | 87% | 0.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 117 mm | overcast | 85% | 0.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 19° - 30° | 24° | 45 mm | some cloud | 80% | 0.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 22° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Wat Phra That Chomthong
Wat Phra That Chom Thong sits in Chom Thong district (Chiang Mai province) near the approaches to Doi Inthanon. From Chiang Mai city you drive south on the main highway toward Chom Thong/Doi Inthanon (the regional route toward Doi Inthanon) - the journey is roughly an hour by car (several tens of kilometres). The temple is reachable by car or by regional bus/minivan services that go to Chom Thong town; from the town centre it is a short walk or brief local-taxi ride to the temple.
Tips for Visiting Wat Phra That Chomthong
- Go first thing in the morning to coincide with local merit-making and avoid the mid‑day rush of tourists - mornings are cooler and offer better light for photography of the chedi.
- Allow time to walk around the peripheral temple buildings and community spaces rather than just viewing the main stupa; the smaller viharns and community shrines often contain interesting local craftsmanship that many visitors overlook.
- Avoid weekend and public‑holiday visits if you want a quieter experience; weekdays see far fewer pilgrims and tour groups.