top of page
Camera and open photo album on a fabric surface. Text reads: "blogs - lost in landscapes found in words". A black circle logo beneath the text includes white text: "Closer Lives Jenn & Leon Travel & Lifestyle."

Closer Lives Travel and Lifestyle Blog: Your Guide to Adventure and Cultural Discovery

Welcome to our Blog!

A man and a woman posing together in front of a colorful canal with traditional houses and an urban skyline in the background.

Nice to Meet You!

We are digital nomads slow traveling the world full time, budget and bougie style! Jenn & Leon Travel Blog is for you if you enjoy relationships, history, getting to know local people & communities, are looking for travel & tourism, world culture & cuisine, digital nomadic how to's, tips, tricks & recommendations from 42 countries and counting. We also review restaurants and our Airbnb stays!

A world map with interconnected lines and a circular logo labeled "City Lives, Travel & Lifestyle" is featured. The words "Country Guides" sit at the bottom, inviting you to explore just as warmly as a stuffed turkey hoodie on Thanksgiving.

FREE Country Guides

Check out our all you need to know comprehensive country guides for over 20 countries, with everything from visa information to culture and customs, transportation to health and safety, must-see places and handy maps. We include helpful links, sim card info and even emergency numbers! Not to mention our blog posts, videos, interesting facts and much more.

Check out our Latest Posts

Jenn & Leon on YouTube

As entrepreneurs and full-time slow travellers our goal is to see as much of this beautiful planet as we can! We love getting to know communities and locals around the world and through our channel we want to help and support them by sharing their culture with our viewers.

 

By subscribing to our channel you will get notified of our latest videos as and when they land, so you will never miss out.

Two people taking a selfie in clear shallow water, one wearing a pink cap and sunglasses, the other with a beard, both smiling.

Get our latest posts straight to your inbox. No spam, opt out anytime

We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible. That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and community.

 

If you'd like to join us please subscribe; our social part is still being developed but currently you are able to post, share and interact. You will also be notified of our latest blog posts, videos and receive our monthly newsletter! We'd love to have you here with us!

 

PLUS when you sign up you will receive a welcome bonus of 20% off ANYTHING on our site!

Three people modeling casual clothing with printed designs, outdoors in a natural setting, above a sign reading "Closer Lives Emporium.

Travel & Lifestyle Emporium

Shop our inspirational range of suitcases, backpacks, phone cases, clothing, gifts exclusively designed by us with worldwide delivery. Our range also includes stylish kitchen & home gifts, stationery & office items with positive quotes, awesome accessories with powerful designs and an excellent range of fun gifts for all ages and occasions!

Popular Searches

Categories

Some of the links in our posts are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Links

Writer's pictureJenn & Leon

Discover Wat Phra That Doi Saket: Chiang Mai's Hidden Gem

Updated: Dec 10

Wat Phra That is a stunning temple located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is known for its towering golden chedi (Buddha), which is a remarkable sight indeed and is said to house a piece of Buddha's hair. Inside the temple grounds are various sculptures and monuments, which provide a glimpse into the culture and history of the region. The temple is free to visit and is open to visitors throughout the year.


Golden statue of a deity at Wat Phra That in Doi Saket, with a bird-like figure in front. Text reads "Wat Phra That Doi Saket" alongside Thai national colors map. Clear blue sky in background.




There is also so much more to the site too; you can learn more about Buddhism at its museum, check out various shrines, cafes and stores, take in the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and soak up some epic sunsets. With its stunning architecture and deep history, the Wat Phra That Temple is an essential stop for any traveler in Thailand.


A large golden statue of a seated deity surrounded by smaller statues and offerings under a clear blue sky.



Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Tap here for more information.





Our Wat Phra That Highlights


The entrance to Wat Phra That is located at the bottom of a mountain that rises up above the bustling town of Doi Saket. At the base, you take a winding road up until you come to a large clearing that veers off to the left for the stores, museum and other temples in the complex. To the right is a large roundabout, which is at the foot of the 350 steps that lead up to the Golden Buddha. There is also a large laying Buddha to the right of the picture below which is still under construction. We will update this blog if it is finished before we leave Thailand!


A grand staircase with golden and multicolored statues leads up to a temple, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky. A dog sits near the base by spherical sculptures.
The magnificent staircase has 350 steps and is one heck of a climb!

Staircase leading to a large golden Buddha statue and elephant sculpture against a clear blue sky.
A treat for the eyes...

The level of detail in every statue here is phenomenal and the vibrancy of the gold and its encrusted jewels shimmers throughout the day in the clear and burning sunlight. As you gaze up the stairs you only just start to realise the daunting task of climbing them. There must certainly be a significance to the difficulty of the task, the unnerving desire to reach the top and the energy it takes to get there. It almost feels humbling as you rise towards the feet of the cross-legged Buddha.


A man and woman wearing sunglasses pose in front of a golden statue on a sunny day.




Now we would love to have attempted the stairs, but on this particular day we had our car, and just to the left of the stairs there is an additional road that can be driven to a clearing behind the Buddha but level with it. So we took this option, parked up, and took a walk through the complex to the Buddha. The road is a dirt road for part of the way, and very steep, so do bear this in mind if you have an older vehicle that may struggle with it.


Golden statue of a deity with intricate details, featuring a humanoid with a winged figure in front, set against a clear blue sky.

Many Buddhist temples in Thailand are located on the top of a hill or a mountain. Most of them have a Naga staircase lined on both sides with a snake-like being, which is called Naga. This has its origin embedded in the myth of the Buddha. The staircase at Wat Phra That Doi Saket does not feature a Naga, but there are many Naga statues in and around the temple grounds.




A long staircase leads to a distant temple on a hill, flanked by trees and ornate railings, with mountains in the background.

Unlike other temples that we have seen in Thailand so far, this one is a particular favorite of ours as it’s less touristy, so you won’t have tons of other travellers to share the space with. We have been several times and it has never been busy. There is plenty of spaces to park and the option of being able to drive to the top is nice. There is also much more to this temple than the Golden Buddha, with many interesting places to visit on the temple grounds. One could easily spend a good few hours exploring!


A person stands in front of a large golden Buddha statue under a clear blue sky. The statue is surrounded by flowers and ornate decorations.
We were blown away by the level of detail here

You can find a small museum here, where you can learn all about the wonderful history of Doi Saket and Chiang Mai. What also makes it unique is that the interior walls have been painted with magnificent spiritual murals by an artist known as Khun Chaiwat Wannanon, which took 4 years to complete. It is very rare for any temple in Thailand to contain any type of modern art.





There is also a monastic school on the temple grounds, where you can learn all about monks, their belief system, history and their day-today activities. We have yet to visit here but we will do at some point before we leave Doi Saket!


A person stands on a tiled terrace overlooking a scenic sunset view with ornate spires and distant mountains.
Looking out at THAT sunset!

Many find the style of What Phra That to be similar to that What Phra That Doi Suthep, which is in nearby Chiang Mai. This one is smaller however, and the entrance here features that 350-step staircase which leads visitors to the Golden Buddha and differentiates it from its larger namesake. However, the most prominent aspect of the temple is the majestic golden Buddha statue which is visible as far as the road outside that leads to the temple.


Ornate white and gold structure with intricate designs against a sunset backdrop, surrounded by trees and lotus-shaped embellishments.

Our very first time here was right on sunset, having arrived around 5.30pm. We had heard about it from our neighbors so we were very excited to see it. It certainly did not disappoint! Pictures somehow just do not do it justice at all. From the spectacular view, to the immense Buddha statue, to the monks chanting on loudspeakers to the birds chirping in the rays of the sun, the whole atmosphere was definitely radiating a spiritual and energetic vibe that we will not forget in a hurry.


Ornate white and gold structure with intricate designs against a sunset backdrop, surrounded by trees and lotus-shaped embellishments.




 
 


History and Facts About Wat Phra That


The temple at Doi Saket is said to have been built in the year 1112. Legend has is that the Lord Buddha came to Doi Saket offered his hair for the purpose of worship. Shortly after he is said to have disappeared; this is the principal reason for the location of the temple.


Thai artist, “Khun Chaiwat Wannanon” began painting the interior of the temple walls with spiritual Buddhist murals in the early 1990s. It took over 4 years for the murals to be completed. This is something that is unique to the temple at Doi Saket. Most Buddhist temples in Thailand do not have any modern art in a modern style.


A small ornate shrine with a pointed roof stands amid lush greenery and red flowers under a clear blue sky.
One of many spirit houses on the temple grounds

Upon the discovery of Buddha's Footprints of Muang Yonok on the south side of the site, the construction of a new temple, Phra Maha Chedi and Plappla Mondop, has begun to cover them. There are five important Buddha Footprints, with these the fourth ones. The Nagas and deities have protected and worshiped them for over 2,600 years. More on these in a future blog post. Sign up to our site for post notifications so you do not miss it!


An octagonal display case with a glass top, showcasing stone artifacts inside. Pink and green plants are arranged around the base.




 
 

Wat Phra That Visiting Times


According to their Facebook page, Wat Phra That advertises as open from 6am to 6pm. Although the Golden Buddha is lit by floodlights overnight, the main road to go up the temple is not. When we went for the sunrise it was 6am in the morning and we were able to head up and walk around with no issues, in fact there was no-one around at all.


Wat Phra That is free to enter, although you are able to leave a 20 baht donation at the Golden Buddha's feet.


A golden pagoda and decorative structure overlooking a lush landscape with a clear sky and the sun shining in the distance.




 
 


How to Get to Wat Phra That


Access from the main 118 highway is easy and very direct, regardless of what direction you are coming from. Doi Saket is located around 30 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai, heading towards Chiang Rai. Doi Saket is a rural farming district host to lots of beautiful rice fields, orchards, vineyards and beautiful mountain villages. We are currently living here and love how peaceful and natural it all is, especially with the convenience of the city of Chiang Mai only being a short 30 minute drive away.


If you are not driving, the yellow Songthaew's will actually stop at the foot of the temple in Doi Saket town, with some even going up to the foot of the stairs. It is a long steep way up though, just so you are aware if you do plan to walk it. The yellow Songthaew will also take you from Doi Saket all the way to Chiang Mai city centre, for just 20 Thai Baht (50 cents).


⪢ Streamline Your Travel with Closer Lives Powered by 12Go

Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs.


Through our white-labeled platform, booking.closerlives.com, you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip.




⪢ Find Hotels Near Wat Phra That

Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.



⪢ Contact Information


Address: 5 118, Choeng Doi, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand


Opening hours: 6am to 6pm daily






 
 


Our Wat Phra That Experience Rating


A man and woman smile for a selfie outdoors in sunny weather, with an ornate structure and scenery in the background.

It does feel a little disingenuous to offer a 'rating' to a temple / shrine, especially one of this stature and beauty. It was never going to be less than five stars anyway. Wat Phra That offers so much by way of experience, the sense of solitude and peace adding to a distinct inner calmness that envelops you as you look out over Doi Saket.


It is a place of prayer, a place of knowing, a place of spiritual growth and power. Couple that with the sunrise at its back, the sunset at its front, and you have a place that we absolutely recommend! Well worth a visit!





Your FREE Interactive Map of Thailand


Check out all of the places we visited in Thailand courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more.



Wanderlog is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use!


Explore Chiang Mai with Special Offers from Klook


Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Chiang Mai. Whether you're looking for a relaxing spa, a jungle sanctuary or even cooking classes, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities.




All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Thailand. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience!


Your FREE Guide to Visiting Thailand


First time in Thailand? Explore our detailed guide featuring everything you need to know, including our newest posts, essential attractions, and vital details on health & safety, transportation, local customs, connectivity, visa details, helpful links, and more. No sign-up needed.


Golden Buddha statue in front of ornate temple architecture under a clear blue sky. Text overlay reads, "Your guide to visiting Thailand.



Banner showcasing travel resource logos like Wise, TrustedHousesitters, Expedia, and Amazon. Two people pose on the left. Text: "Our Top Travel Resources - Earn & Save with Budget Travel Tips!

Save, Earn & Explore!

Find amazing, specially curated offers for travel (Klook, Trusted Housesitters, Expedia, 12go), teaching online (Cambly), shopping (Amazon), drop-shipping (Printify) and even banking (Koho, Wise). Save, earn and explore with us here at Closer Lives! And don't forget to check back regularly for new offers and opportunities!

bottom of page