Wat Umong Suan Putthatham
Tunnels under a 14th-century chedi, a forest full of roosters, and 20 baht to see it all.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 04:00–20:00
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 93 278 7733
- Website
- www.watumong.info
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Umong Suan Putthatham
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Umong Suan Putthatham.
Why go, and how to do it well
The tunnels are the reason you come, and they're smaller than you expect. Brick passageways under the chedi, dimly lit, Buddha images in alcoves, and you'll have walked the lot in five minutes. That's fine. The grounds are the real draw, with wooded paths at the foot of Doi Suthep, moss on everything, a field of broken Buddha statues, a lake with fish and turtles you can feed, and chickens wandering about like they own the place. Give it an hour or more.
Go at dawn. The gates open at 04:00 and people who arrive around 06:30 get the place to themselves, with roosters instead of tour groups. Night is the other good call, when the stupa and grounds go dark and the lit tunnels feel more intimate than they do at midday. Skip the middle of the day if you can.
This is a working monastery with resident monks and Vipassana retreats, so cover shoulders and knees and keep your voice down. Retreat details are on watumong.info.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Around here, on foot
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Experience hints
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Reviews from Google
This temple, surrounded by ancient trees and covered in moss, was built in the mid-14th century. It has many beautiful nicknames: Wat Umong (Temple of No Dreams) and Wat Umong (Temple of Enlightenment). In Thai, Umong means "tunnel." The temple was invaded by a neighboring country in the 16th century, abandoned for nearly 500 years, and then rebuilt. Besides the 30-meter-high main stupa, there is a forest of broken Buddha statues, scattered with hundreds of fragments dating back to the 14th century, covered in moss. Standing in this forest of broken statues, I felt an immense sense of tranquility. Suddenly, the world seemed to consist only of me and these Buddha statues before me. And these imperfections did not diminish their solemnity, compassion, or wholeness. The still-warm sunlight of Chiang Mai at 5 PM filtered through the ancient trees. I began to converse with the Buddha. A silent yet profound dialogue. I was deeply certain that every detail of this dialogue would gradually unfold in the future. I only needed to bring hope, courage, and perseverance.
I did a 5-day Vipassana retreat at Wat Umong, a temple over 700 years old, and the experience was absolutely incredible. The place is peaceful and quiet, the ancient ruins are beautiful, and the monks are extremely kind. The alms food is also very nutritive. Everything was perfect — I definitely want to return! I highly recommend it to all my friends. And if you’re traveling to Peru, I also have a travel agency: @dopkertravel — we organize tours to Machu Picchu, Cusco, and all around Peru.
Possibly my favourite temple in chaing mai . It has history and is very different , we arrived to watch the sunrise which was a special experience sharing the morning chorus with all the cockerels , I loved walking the tunnels. There is a lot more to explore for your 20baht entrance , make sure to go feed the fish and watch for turtles. Bring there at 6.30 meant we had the whole place to ourselves before the hoards of tourists arrived making it a very peaceful visit.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 11,645 reviews on Google.
135, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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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 Umong Suan Putthatham: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Umong Suan Putthatham worth visiting?
Wat Umong Suan Putthatham holds a 4.6★ rating from 11,645 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Wat Umong Suan Putthatham?
Wat Umong Suan Putthatham is typically open 04:00–20:00 — 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 Umong Suan Putthatham?
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 Umong Suan Putthatham located?
Wat Umong Suan Putthatham is at 135, Tambon Su Thep, 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 center).
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