Wat Chet Yot
A near-600-year-old temple minutes from Maya Mall, and somehow still quiet enough to hear yourself think.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 06:00–18:00
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.
Details
- Phone
- +66 82 749 7499
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Chet Yot
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chet Yot.
Why go, and how to do it well
Seven spires, a courtyard full of serpents, and hardly anyone around. That's the short version of Wat Chet Yod, the "Temple of the Seven Peaks," founded around 1455 and built to recreate the Buddha's path to enlightenment. The chedi with its seven towers is unlike anything else in Chiang Mai, and there's no gold-plated spectacle here. The buildings look their age, in the good way.
It matters most to people born in the Year of the Snake, which explains the naga statues lining the entrance and the shrine to the Serpent King. Even if none of that means anything to you, the grounds are worth a slow lap. There's a small museum in the garden too. What surprises most people is the calm, given it sits a short hop from Nimman and Maya Mall. Traffic hums nearby and the temple somehow ignores it.
Go in the morning if you can. The light is better and you'll likely share the place with a handful of others rather than a coach party.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Chet Yot
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Tours that include Wat Chet Yot
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Chet Yot.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Chet Yot, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 2 minWhoopers Hostel Chiang MaiHotels & Resorts · 120 m · 4.9★
- 4 minThajene ChomchanRestaurants & Food · 330 m · 4.3★
- 5 minChiang Mai JR Muay ThaiActivities & Tours · 370 m · 4.9★
- 6 minMy Loft Hotel SHAHotels & Resorts · 500 m · 4.7★
- 7 minChiang Mai National MuseumTemples & Culture · 550 m · 4.2★
- 7 minBaan Mae Café & RestaurantRestaurants & Food · 590 m · 4.7★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Chet Yot, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
A nearly 600-year-old ancient temple that recreates the Buddha’s path to enlightenment. This temple is also believed to bring good luck to those born in the Year of the Snake. Within the temple grounds, there are many serpent statues and a shrine dedicated to the Serpent King (Naga King). Although it is located very close to the Maya shopping mall, the temple is peaceful and uncrowded. Walking around the temple grounds is calm and very pleasant.
I missed this amazing little temple complex a bit to the northwest of the old city the last time I visited this wonderful city! Tucked away but easy to find. There were about a half dozen other visitors when I went. It always amazes me how peaceful these places are despite near by traffic. Go visit, especially if you were born in the year of the Snake!
Serene and very few tourists in spite of its proximity to the Maya Mall and Nimman area. Instead of guilded in gold, these buildings give a sense of a quiet past. With walking around the grounds.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 4,403 reviews on Google.
90, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 1.6 km of Wat Chet Yot.
Chiang Mai National Museum
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Gallery Seescape
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
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.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Chet Yot: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Chet Yot worth visiting?
Wat Chet Yot holds a 4.7★ rating from 4,403 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Wat Chet Yot?
Wat Chet Yot is typically open 06:00–18:00 — 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 Yot?
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: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).
Where is Wat Chet Yot located?
Wat Chet Yot is at 90, Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).
Also popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
Kao Soy Nimman
Ziri Massage and Spa
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