Wat Lok Moli, Chiang Mai

Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai

CC BY-SA 4.0 / กสิณธร ราชโอรส

Wat Lok Moli is one of the best places to visit in Chiang Mai for travellers seeking a peaceful temple experience away from the city's busier landmarks. Located just north of the Old City's moat, this beautiful 14th-century temple features one of the tallest and best-preserved chedis in Chiang Mai, surrounded by a calm, garden-filled compound. Its traditional Lanna design, ornate carvings, and quiet atmosphere make it a wonderful alternative to the more frequented temples nearby. This spot is a highlight of any walking tour of Chiang Mai's northern district thanks to its history, architecture, and spiritual ambiance.

Visitors are often drawn to its striking brick chedi, serene ordination hall, and statues of Queen Chiraprapha and iconic Hindu deities, which reflect the blended traditions of Thai Buddhism. Whether you're exploring for photography, culture, or quiet reflection, Wat Lok Moli provides a deeply atmospheric experience.

History and Significance of Wat Lok Moli
Things to See and Do in Wat Lok Moli
How to Get to Wat Lok Moli
Practical Tips on Visiting Wat Lok Moli
Where to Stay close to Wat Lok Moli
Is Wat Lok Moli Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Wat Lok Moli
Nearby Attractions to Wat Lok Moli

History and Significance of Wat Lok Moli

Wat Lok Moli dates back to the 14th century during the reign of King Kuena of the Lanna Kingdom. While its origins are not fully documented, the temple is believed to have been patronised by Lanna royalty, contributing to its large and distinctive chedi. The monumental brick stupa, with its carved niches and weathered surface, reflects centuries of craftsmanship and devotion.

The temple carries a royal legacy through its connection to Queen Chiraprapha, one of the few female rulers in Lanna history. Her statue, prominently displayed near the entrance, honours her brief yet culturally significant reign in the 16th century. The continued veneration of the queen by locals highlights the temple’s enduring importance in Chiang Mai’s spiritual and cultural identity.

Despite its long history, Wat Lok Moli has remained quieter than other Old City temples. This relative obscurity has helped preserve its serene atmosphere, allowing visitors to appreciate its historical authenticity and architectural detail without large crowds.

Things to See and Do in Wat Lok Moli

The most impressive feature of Wat Lok Moli is its towering chedi, one of the tallest in Chiang Mai. Built from layers of brick and decorated with carved stucco niches, the chedi offers excellent photographic opportunities, especially in the soft light of morning or late afternoon.

At the temple entrance, life-sized elephant statues and yaksha guardians create a dramatic and symbolic welcome. The pavilion containing Queen Chiraprapha's statue offers a fascinating glimpse into Lanna history, while statues of Ganesh, Guanyin, and other deities illustrate the syncretic spiritual traditions found throughout northern Thailand.

The serene ubosot (ordination hall) contains a Buddha image in the Maravijaya posture, symbolising the Buddha’s victory over Mara. Its peaceful garden surroundings make it an ideal place to sit, reflect, or meditate. Visitors may also observe monks engaging in daily rituals or receiving offerings in the temple’s multipurpose hall.

How to Get to Wat Lok Moli

Wat Lok Moli lies just north of Chiang Mai's Old City, close to the northern moat. Travellers arriving by air will land at Chiang Mai International Airport, only a short drive away. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Chiang Mai on Booking.com.

The temple is easily accessible from anywhere in Chiang Mai by tuk-tuk, songthaew, taxi, or rideshare. Visitors arriving by train at Chiang Mai Railway Station can take a tuk-tuk or songthaew directly to the Old City. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Travelling by car is also convenient, with parking available along nearby streets around the moat.

Practical Tips on Visiting Wat Lok Moli

Best time to visit Wat Lok Moli: Early morning for quiet reflection and soft light on the chedi.
Entrance fee in Euros: Free entry; donations appreciated.
Opening hours: Usually 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Official website: Refer to Chiang Mai tourism sources.
How long to spend: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Accessibility: Mostly level pathways; some uneven stone surfaces.
Facilities: Restrooms and small vendors nearby.
Photography tip: Capture the chedi from the garden side for a perfect framing with trees.
Guided tours: Frequently included in Old City walking tours.
Nearby food options: Numerous cafés and street food stalls along the moat and Chang Phuak Road.

Where to Stay close to Wat Lok Moli

Staying near the northern Old City offers a peaceful yet convenient base. For a boutique Lanna-style experience, consider Thai Akara Lanna Boutique Hotel. For travellers wanting comfort near major attractions, De Naga Hotel is a great option. Those preferring a modern stay can choose U Nimman Chiang Mai, close to cafés and shopping areas.

Is Wat Lok Moli Worth Visiting?

Yes. Wat Lok Moli offers a tranquil, authentic, and culturally rich temple experience. Its monumental chedi, peaceful gardens, and royal connections make it a rewarding stop for visitors seeking history, architecture, or spiritual ambiance. It is an excellent place to appreciate traditional Lanna craftsmanship without the crowds found at more famous temples.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (7,643)

Wat Lok Moli, north of the old city moat in Chiang Mai, is a peaceful Buddhist temple known for its large, ancient brick chedi and an impressive wooden viharn with detailed carvings and a rustic, classic appearance; visitors praise its well‑maintained charm, the ritual of pouring water at the Buddha, atmospheric night visits, nearby small shrines with contemporary works and sculptures, and its central, easy-to-reach location.

Luana Bedin

a month ago

"It's a very beautiful temple, located just north of the city moat. What stands out most is the giant, ancient brick stupa (chedi). The main woodenhall is also very beautiful and full of details. It's a peaceful place and great for admiring the architecture. Entry is free...."

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Viktor Vijay

a month ago

"Wooden architecture. Graceful wood carvings. Use of white on black on the exterior of wooden temple is like the fine jewellery art and sequinest&#xdded; zari textiles that are so elegant on Thai women and Men. Grand wooden edifice. Very old chedi. Quite impressive in height. Later some contemporary art is visible in small temples to the left of entrance. The first of goddess is a big draw among ladies. Sculpture of seated king elegant. In the open like ancient Daius the creator of Veda and Sumerians is the old Man god with flowing beard. Its a very contemporary work. Google translate talks of Chinese deity of well being and prosperity. I am not sure of what material the long bearded god image is made of. Warm steam was flowing from these temples. Local cultural ethos and beliefs are deeply engrained in these temple visits by our local brothers and sisters who bring offerings of Chinese lamps with name and prayers to Budcha, candles and small and pretty Jasmine garland and elegant white and blue lorus for Buddha. Coming from the land of Buddha it was very touching for me to find his teachings in Thailand so meticulously being practiced albeit with culturally evolving rituals. In Thailand, Metta( Compassion Paali word) in Monastery is the anchor that is practiced for all living Beings: birds animals fishes and humans with equanimity. Secondly in a modern city with blasting sounds of vehicles though intrude the Buddhist concept of silence,peace, equanimity and integration and balance of all existent. Still these Monasteries are heavenly sanctuaries of meditative peace and can cure modern humans of the disease of a digital, electronic, mechanical, instant gratification if you just stay under a tree in these Monasteries meditating and letting cool breeze touch you, fragrant trees, flowers invade your olfactory and birds sing musically to offer your ears the joy of NaturenHow much we pine for that Buddha peace!!..."

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Buster Got it

3 weeks ago

"Probably the best wooden temple in Chiang Mai. In my opinion, this has more of classic rustic look than other temples in Chiang Mai. Wat Lok Moli(Northern Thai: ᩅᩢ᩠ᨯᩰᩃ᩠ᨠᩰᨾᩊᩦ; Thai: วัดโลกโมฬี, sometimes also seen written as Wat Lok Molee) is a Buddhist temple (Thai: Wat) in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The temple is situated on the north side of the north moat surrounding the old part of the city, about 400 meters west of the Chang Phuak city gate. It is not known when the temple was built but it is first mentioned in a charter in 1367 CE. The sixth king of the Mangrai dynasty, King Kuena (1355-1385), invited ten Buddhist monks from Burma to spread their teachings on Theravada Buddhism. The monks were housed in this temple. In 1527, King Ket (also known as Mueangketklao or Phra Kaew Muang) commissioned the chedi and in 1545, he also had the viharn (assembly hall) built. The ashes of several members of the Mengrai dynasty were placed in this temple. Until the demise of their dynasty, the Mengrai royal family took the responsibility for maintaining the temple. The ashes of Queen Wisutthithewi are interred in a chedi at the temple.[1] The brickwork of the large chedi is left mostly bare; this in contrast to the, often recently, stuccoed chedis of other temples in Chiang Mai. Of note are the finely sculptured Nāgas and wooden temple façade. The temple is aligned along a north–south axis – most Buddhist temples are orientated towards the east, towards the rising sun...."

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FAQs for Visiting Wat Lok Moli

It dates back to the 14th century during the Lanna period.

Its large brick chedi, one of the tallest and most striking in Chiang Mai.

No, it is generally quieter than major Old City temples.

Yes. Visitors should cover shoulders and knees.

Around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nearby Attractions to Wat Lok Moli

Wat Chiang Man: The oldest temple in Chiang Mai with beautiful Lanna architecture.
Wat Chedi Luang: A landmark temple with a massive ancient stupa.
Chang Phuak Gate: One of the Old City's historic northern entrances.
North Gate Night Market: A popular evening spot for street food.
Three Kings Monument: A central cultural landmark celebrating Chiang Mai's founders.

The Wat Lok Moli appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Chiang Mai!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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