Wat Chet Lin
This is the sort of temple you walk into by accident and stay in for twenty minutes longer than you meant to. It sits on Prapokklao Road inside the walled old city, and it's a functioning monastery rather than a monument with a ticket booth. Monks live and work here. The Lanna architecture is the real northern style, dark wood and ornament, with grounds that someone clearly looks after.
My advice is to fold it into a walk rather than make a trip of it. Phra Sing puts you within reach of several bigger names, and this one works as the breather between them. Early morning is when it's at its best, not long after the gates open, before the heat and before the old city fills up. You won't find English signage explaining everything, which I think is part of the appeal. Come to sit for a while, not to tick something off.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Chet Lin, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
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Wat Chet Lin: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Chet Lin worth visiting?
Wat Chet Lin holds a 4.6★ rating from 1,723 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Wat Chet Lin?
Wat Chet Lin is typically open 05:00-18:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Wat Chet Lin?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Wat Chet Lin located?
Wat Chet Lin is at Prapokklao Road, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
Prapokklao Road, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand053 814 315Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Wat Chet Lin
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Nearby Places
Museum of Makers
A free creative museum in Old Town Chiang Mai celebrating traditional Thai crafts and the stories behind them.
Kalm Village Chiang Mai
Free-entry arts village with a courtyard, a rooftop over two temples, and no reason to hurry.
Chiang Mai Gate
A brick gate on the old city's southern wall, best seen early or late when the light and heat behave.
Wat Chedi Luang
Come after dark, when the lighting turns the broken chedi into the most dramatic thing in the Old City.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Wat Arun
Porcelain-covered spires best seen late afternoon, and yes, the midday heat on those grounds is brutal.
Where to stay near Wat Chet Lin
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)