This relatively new temple is interesting and worth a visit. Just four kilometers from Wat Na Khu Ha, another temple I highly recommend if you enjoy temples, mountains, and bamboo bridges, Wat Phra That In Kwaen is known for its references to Myanmar's famous sacred golden rock. Its small, tree-lined brick paths, sometimes inscribed with Buddhist wisdom, lead to a standing Buddha, a Buddha bust whose body appears to be buried in the mountain, a chedi, and, of course, the famous rock. I'm not sure I would wholeheartedly recommend it on its own, but combined with a visit to Wat Na Khu Ha, which is a bit further away, I think it makes for an interesting two- to three-hour trip from Phrae. There's also a waterfall nearby, which I haven't visited myself, but it perfectly complements this little tour.

The temple is located about twenty kilometers from Phrae. There is no public transportation to get there. You will need your own vehicle or can try to hire a songthaew (shared taxi) in Phrae, although this isn't always easy as few drivers speak sufficient English. As mentioned earlier, the visit can easily be combined with a side trip to the slightly more distant Wat Na Khu Ha.

The Golden Rock Temple (Wat Phra That Din Kwaen) is a temple. When visiting a temple in Thailand, there are some rules to observe: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), remove shoes upon entering the building, be quiet, no hugging or kissing, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, and do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to the Golden Rock Temple (Wat Phra That Din Kwaen)? The temple is located about 20 kilometers from Phrae. There is no public transportation there. You will need your own vehicle or can try to hire a songthaew (shared taxi) in Phrae, although this isn't always easy as few drivers speak sufficient English. As mentioned earlier, a visit can easily be combined with a side trip to the slightly more distant Wat Na Khu Ha.