Wat Yang Kwang
Tucked south of Chiang Mai's old town in the Haiya Sub-district, this well-maintained Buddhist temple offers a genuine escape from the busier tourist circuits. The grounds feature a striking golden pagoda, several smaller shrine halls, and monk statues arranged throughout a spotlessly kept complex. Resident monks are a visible presence, and visitors who time their arrival around sunset are rewarded with exceptional lighting that brings out the warm tones of the architecture — a detail that regularly draws praise from those who have made the short walk from the nearby Krung Mekha Bridge.
The atmosphere is notably calm and unhurried. Resident cats roam freely among the temple buildings, and the community here has a reputation for being welcoming to visitors. On quieter evenings, the sound of monks in prayer drifts across the grounds, and portions of the temple are illuminated after dark, making an evening visit a genuinely worthwhile experience.
Book tours & tickets in Chiang Mai
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wat Yang Kwang — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Yang Kwang, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Wat Yang Kwang is a temple in Chiang Mai located south of the old town. It’s beautiful, and if you arrive around sunset, the colours and lighting are fantastic. There are many details to this temple, and a large golden Buddha image adorns it. Also, there is a white stupa and many smaller golden Buddha images. Please remember to dress accordingly if entering the temple.
Glad to meet you, no people, quiet and very comfortable after the rain. I recommend it to everyone. Night temples are illuminated in some places.Come, the temple is open even in the evening, you can leisurely explore the territory and watch the young monks, because they are busy during the day.
Lovely temple with many cats that live there. The people are also very kind.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 236 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
No riding, no tricks: a day of feeding and mud with rescued elephants in the Mae Wang hills.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.
Central Chiangmai
Come for the fourth-floor food hall, stay because you've forgotten what you actually came to buy.
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
Air-con, cheap food courts and a rooftop with mountain views at the top of Nimman.
Wat Yang Kwang: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Yang Kwang worth visiting?
Wat Yang Kwang holds a 4.6★ rating from 236 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit Wat Yang Kwang?
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 Yang Kwang located?
Wat Yang Kwang is at QXGQ+CJG, Haiya Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
QXGQ+CJG, Haiya Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailandwww.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073324929076&mibextid=ZbWKwLVisitor 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 Yang Kwang
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.
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
MATOOM ART SPACE
A tranquil art studio in Chiang Mai offering original paintings and watercolour lessons in a calm, spiritually inspired setting.
Boon Mae Kha Bridge 1
A traditional bridge in Chiang Mai's Chang Khlan area, blending local heritage with everyday riverside life.
Wat Muen San
A rare silver-decorated Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai's historic artisan quarter, quiet and largely crowd-free.
Chiang Mai Gate
A brick gate on the old city's southern wall, best seen early or late when the light and heat behave.
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 Yang Kwang
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)