Samuel
Google
Mystical - Peaceful - Photogenic
We had an amazing visit to Wat Pha Lat and can easily give it five stars. We chose to hike the Monk’s Trail, which is a scenic walk through the jungle, not too difficult, but it gets warm in the heat, so don’t forget to bring a bottle of water. Taking it slow, we enjoyed spotting birds, spiders, and other insects along the way; it’s a lovely mini-adventure for nature lovers. The temple complex itself is absolutely beautiful, set right in the middle of lush greenery and dramatic jungle scenery. If you love photography, you’ll be in heaven! When we arrived, clouds rolled in and transformed the whole place into something mystical with the perfect light for taking stunning photos. The temples, statues, and deities are all incredible to see up close.
One of the best parts was how peaceful it felt. We visited during the off-season (mid-August), and there were hardly any other people around, especially on the trail, so it felt like we had this magical spot almost to ourselves. After exploring, we took a taxi back to the city to escape the midday heat and to avoid a long walk down (especially if you don’t want to hike back the same way). Highly recommended for a bit of adventure and a lot of beauty at one of Chiang Mai’s true hidden gems!