Wat Lok Moli
A 1527 brick chedi and a dark teak hall just outside the north moat, free to enter and open daily from 06:00 to 18:00.
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.
Finding your way around Wat Lok Moli
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Getting there and around
- On Manee Nopparat Road on the north side of the moat, about 400 m west of Chang Phueak Gate, a five-minute walk along the moat. A red songthaew from elsewhere in the old city runs about ฿30.
- There are only around ten parking spaces out front.
- Khao Soi Khun Yai, a lunch-only khao soi stall, is about 100 m away across the moat, open 10:00 to 14:00 and closed on Sundays.
Details
- Address
- 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, ตำบล ศรีภูมิ อำเภอ เมืองเชียงใหม่ Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Website
- www.facebook.com/watlokmolee
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Lok Moli
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Lok Moli.
Why go, and how to do it well
This is a working temple first and a sight second, which is exactly why it's worth your time. Wat Lok Moli sits on Manee Nopparat Road on the north side of the moat, about 400 m west of Chang Phueak Gate, and it's old even by Chiang Mai's standards. A charter first mentions it in 1367, when King Kue Na housed ten monks from Burma here. King Ket built the great chedi in 1527 and the hall in 1545, and the ashes of members of the Mengrai dynasty that ruled Lanna were laid here.
Unlike most of the city's chedis, this one was left in bare brick instead of fresh stucco, and the carved nagas and the dark wooden facade of the hall repay standing still for a few minutes. Locals come to pray and leave flowers, there's a community of resident monks, and if chanting is underway in the hall you're generally welcome to sit quietly at the back. You can also write a wish and hang it on the line, or pull the rope that waters the Buddha image.
The temple is lit after dark, and that's the photo most people come for. Google lists the gates as closing at 18:00 and one guide says 19:00, so I'd come for the last hour of daylight and watch the lights come on, instead of counting on a night visit.
Entry is free and donations are welcome. Cover your shoulders and knees. From Chang Phueak Gate it's about a five-minute walk west along the moat, a red songthaew from elsewhere in the old city runs about ฿30, and there are only around ten parking spaces out front. Khao Soi Khun Yai, a lunch-only khao soi stall, is about 100 m away across the moat, open 10:00 to 14:00 and closed on Sundays.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Tours that include Wat Lok Moli
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Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Lok Moli, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minWat RajamonteanTemples & Culture · 90 m · 4.7★
- 1 minKhao Soi Khun YaiRestaurants & Food · 100 m · 4.6★
- 2 minBaan Khun Nine KitchenRestaurants & Food · 120 m · 4.6★
- 2 minWat Khuan KhamaTemples & Culture · 160 m · 4.2★
- 3 minEuphoria Cocktail LoungeNightlife & Bars · 240 m · 4.9★
- 3 minReform Kafé - Vegan Garden RestaurantRestaurants & Food · 250 m · 4.7★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Lok Moli, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Wat Lok Moli is a well-known temple in Chiang Mai where many locals come to pray and make wishes. It feels more like an active place of worship rather than just a tourist attraction, with a strong spiritual atmosphere. Highlights • A lively religious atmosphere with many people praying and offering flowers • Beautiful traditional Lanna-style architecture • Historic chedi and main hall with intricate details • A peaceful place to slow down and experience local Buddhist culture Best Time to Visit • Evening is highly recommended — when the lights turn on, the temple feels calmer and more atmospheric, and it looks especially beautiful at night Overall Wat Lok Moli is not just a photo stop but a meaningful temple where locals genuinely come to pray. Visiting in the evening adds a special atmosphere and makes the experience even more memorable.
This temple is stunning both by day and night🫶🏻 I walked past during the day to the restaurant I had reserved and marvelled at the temple, which impressed me and made me come back at night. The atmosphere was completely different, offering a new perspective on its beauty. Inside, you can write your wish and hang it up in the line above, and visitors can participate in activities like watering the Buddha image by pulling the rope. It was a fun and engaging experience. This temple is highly recommended for those visiting Chiang Mai, especially since it’s well-known for blessings related to prosperity and wealth❤️
Wat Lok Moli is conveniently located right next to the main road. I visited in the evening, and the temple was beautifully lit up. There are many Buddha images to pay respects to and pray for blessings. The place is quite popular with a steady stream of tourists. There are about 10 parking spots available in front of the temple. While it’s stunning at night with all the lights, the architecture is also impressive during the day. Definitely worth a visit!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 8,881 reviews on Google.
298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, ตำบล ศรีภูมิ อำเภอ เมืองเชียงใหม่ Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 5-minute walk of Wat Lok Moli.
Wat Rajamontean
Wat Khuan Khama
Jaeng Hua Lin
Chang Phueak Gate
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 Lok Moli: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Lok Moli free?
Yes. There's no ticket, and donations are welcome. Cover your shoulders and knees.
What are Wat Lok Moli's opening hours?
Daily from 06:00 to 18:00 by Google's listing, and one guide says 19:00. Come for the last hour of daylight to see the temple as its lights come on.
Is Wat Lok Moli lit up at night?
Yes, the chedi and the hall are lit after dark, which is the photo most people come for. The gates are listed as closing at 18:00, so plan on dusk, not a late-night visit.
How old is Wat Lok Moli?
A charter first mentions it in 1367, when King Kue Na housed ten monks from Burma there. The great brick chedi dates from 1527 and the hall from 1545, both built under King Ket.
Is Wat Lok Moli worth visiting?
Wat Lok Moli holds a 4.7★ rating from 8,881 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit Wat Lok Moli?
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 Lok Moli located?
Wat Lok Moli is at 298/1 Manee Nopparat Rd, ตำบล ศรีภูมิ อำเภอ เมืองเชียงใหม่ Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).
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