Wat Prasat

CC BY-SA 4.0 / กสิณธร ราชโอรส

Wat Prasat is one of the most atmospheric temples in Chiang Mai's Old City, blending understated beauty with centuries of history. Founded in the 16th century, it stands out for its unusual connection between the viharn and the chedi, where a small hidden chamber shelters the principal Buddha image. For many travellers exploring the Old City, this peaceful temple becomes one of the must-see places in Chiang Mai thanks to its rare architectural layout and quiet, contemplative setting.

Although close to major attractions, Wat Prasat remains a calm retreat and a great place to visit on a walking tour of Chiang Mai. Its traditional Lanna craftsmanship, wooden structures, and faded yet graceful details offer a glimpse of Old Chiang Mai before the more elaborate temple renovations of later centuries.

History and Significance of Wat Prasat

Wat Prasat traces its origins to the 16th century during a period when Lanna religious architecture was characterised by modest scale and refined craftsmanship. Its most distinctive historical feature is the tunnel-like chamber linking the viharn to the old chedi. This passageway is rare in Chiang Mai and suggests the temple once served an important ritual function, possibly connected to meditation practices or protective ceremonies.

The temple's name, which may relate to auspicious or ceremonial enclosures, aligns with its layout: multiple structures grouped closely together, each representing a different aspect of Lanna religious life. Despite later additions, such as the more modern ubosot, Wat Prasat has preserved its historic atmosphere, making it one of the top attractions in Chiang Mai for those curious about traditional temple architecture.

Things to See and Do in Wat Prasat

The viharn is one of the temple’s highlights. Its dark-toned teak and stone façade, multi-tiered roof, and understated colour palette set it apart from more flamboyant temples around the city. The plain stone nagas flanking the entrance create a grounded, ancient impression, while the gable’s floral and animal motifs tell of an earlier decorative richness. Inside, red-lacquered teak pillars rise above wooden walls and windows, leading the eye toward the main Buddha image. Behind this statue lies the discreet alcove containing the sacred white Buddha and smaller figures, including a replica of the Emerald Buddha.

The old chedi at the rear of the viharn is perhaps the temple’s most intriguing structure. Its cruciform layout, with three large niches containing white seated Buddhas, forms a striking silhouette. The four small mondop-style towers crowning the chedi, complete with Burmese-style umbrellas, hint at historical cross-cultural influences. The newer chedi, though simpler, adds balance to the complex, surrounded by small stucco towers that may represent future sema markers.

Wat Prasat also features a richly decorated ubosot with brightly adorned makaras and nagas, plus an ornate two-story bell tower adorned with gilt bargeboards and wind bells that chime softly in the breeze.

How to Get to Wat Prasat

From Chiang Mai International Airport, Wat Prasat is about a 15-minute drive, making it easy to reach by taxi or rideshare. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to on Booking.com.
From Chiang Mai Railway Station, travellers can take a red songthaew or taxi into the Old City, followed by a short walk to the temple. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.
Drivers can follow the Old City moat road and enter through the nearest gate, with parking available along nearby side streets around the temple.

Practical Tips on Visiting Wat Prasat

• Best time to visit Wat Prasat: Early morning for soft light and quiet surroundings.
• Entrance fee in Euros: Free.
• Opening hours: Generally daylight hours; the grounds remain accessible most of the day.
• Official website: None.
• How long to spend: Around 20-30 minutes.
• Accessibility: Mostly flat, though some steps lead into the viharn and tunnel chamber.
• Facilities: Limited; cafés and small shops nearby.
• Photography tip: Capture the cruciform chedi from the rear to show its full shape.
• Guided tours: Sometimes included in Old City temple tours.
• Nearby food options: Plenty of cafés and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk.

Where to Stay close to Wat Prasat

Wat Prasat sits in a convenient area of the Old City, making it easy to stay within walking distance. For a refined boutique experience, Tamarind Village offers peaceful gardens and traditional Lanna design. A stylish central option close to many temples is U Chiang Mai. Travellers who prefer elegant décor and a more luxurious atmosphere can choose The Inside House.

Is Wat Prasat Worth Visiting?

Yes. Wat Prasat is absolutely worth visiting for its tranquil ambiance, unique tunnel-linked chedi, and beautifully preserved Lanna architecture. It offers a more intimate and traditional experience compared to Chiang Mai's larger temples, making it ideal for travellers seeking authenticity and quiet beauty.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (384)

Wat Prasat, tucked inside Chiang Mai's old city at 4/2 Soi Intra Warorot Lane 3, is a small, quiet temple complex of two main buildings that visitors find photogenic and peaceful; highlights include a beautifully carved wooden viharn set on a stone base with ornate doors and a bejewelled entrance to a rear square stone mondop housing a Buddha, a short tunnel linking the viharn to the chedi, murals and many Buddha images, plus an ubosot and white chedi with a golden spire—all approachable without an entrance fee and often enjoyed briefly by photographers or those seeking a calm place to pray.

Kasper Hammer-Hansen

a year ago

"Small temple ground with 2 temples. The old wooden one is especially beautiful and unique. It’s an okay temple to visit but it’s pretty similar tomany other temples in this area. Can be skipped if you don’t have time or motivation to do them all. I enjoyed 10 minutes here taking some photos..."

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Fokke Akker

3 years ago

"Wat Prasat is a stu ing, unique temple complex in Chiang Mai. Located within the old walled city, the temple is right across the equally famous WatPhra Singh. The ancient temple was erected sometime during the end of the 16th century, and its design is reflective of traditional La a heritage which sets it apart from the dozens of other wats in Chiang Mai. The temple’s viharn was made in 1823; a beautiful wooden structure erected on a stone base. Ornate flower carvings adorn the panels on its entrance, while the stairs leading to its entrance are guarded by impressive nagas or mythological snakes. But one of its most striking features is a short tu el which co ects the chedi to the viharn. The middle of the back wall also has an elaborate entrance to the short tu el, which will lead you directly to the chedi behind it. It features a seated Buddha image that is visible from the viharn. Both sides of the tu el entrance are filled with an impressive array of Buddha images. One of them, a bronze image, dates back to 1590 while the rest are more recent and made of stucco. Murals from the 19th century also decorate the viharn walls. A recently reconstructed ubosot is found behind the viharn. Behind the ubosot, you’ll find a large white chedi accentuated by a golden spire. Inside the temple grounds are many other interesting features, including a small spirit house and a bell tower...."

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Miles

3 years ago

"Two buildings on this site, the one that's closed has the most beautiful gold inlaid doors. The second building, the Assembly Hall is open and has anunusual feature which moves this from three to four stars for me. It is the Square Stone Mondop attached to the rear of the Hall. Inside the building the Mondop houses a Buddha Statue, but the entrance to this area is most beautifully bejewelled. The Assembly Hall is between 200 and 300 years old...."

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FAQs for Visiting Wat Prasat

Nearby Attractions to Wat Prasat

• Wat Phra Singh - One of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, known for its revered Buddha image.
• Wat Chedi Luang - A dramatic 14th-century chedi and home of the city pillar shrine.
• Lanna Folklife Museum - Exhibits exploring traditional culture and history of the Lanna kingdom.
• Wat Phan Tao - A beautiful teak-wood temple with a distinctive wooden viharn.
• Three Kings Monument - A historic landmark and popular gathering point in the Old City.

The Wat Prasat appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting !

Moira & Andy

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