Thailand has a problem with viral travel destinations. Or perhaps Thailand doesn't have the problem with them at all – rather, the foreigners do. More precisely: several problems.

First? Many of the most impressive places you see in random social media posts are drone shots and look completely unremarkable to the naked eye. (I'm looking at you, Dragon Temple.) Second? They're often day trips from places in Thailand that are already off the beaten track.

Although I cannot change the remote location of Wat Chalermprakiat "Heavenly Temple", I can assure you that you do not need a drone to see it in all its glory – you just need to hike to a drone's flight altitude!

How to get to Wat Chalermprakiat

Getting to Wat Chalermprakiat in Thailand is straightforward, but takes some time – especially if you hadn't already planned your stay in Lampang. To reach Lampang, you can either take a bus or a private rental car from Chiang Mai (the journey takes about 90 minutes each way) or take a direct flight from Bangkok. Wat Chalermprakiat is then about an hour's drive from Lampang, whether you're driving your own car or booking a car and driver through a local hotel.

While Lampang is close enough to Chiang Mai to make a day trip, if you're coming from Bangkok, you'll almost certainly need an overnight stay. The good news is that Lampang is very affordable, so you don't have to spend your money on accommodation. All you need to invest is time – and I assure you it will be well worth it.

What to do once you reach Wat Chalermprakiat

Marvel from the ground up

Although you only experience the full "heavenly temple" effect when you're at least as tall as the white stupa, the place already feels absolutely otherworldly from the ground. After you've parked and bought your tickets, be sure to take a moment to admire what you see.

Gain an advantage in a songthaew.

Don't be alarmed if you encounter a songthaew driver upon entering the Temple of Heaven in Lampang. This is a necessary part of the trek, as the section of road from the parking lot to the actual starting point of the Wat Chalermprakiat trekking trail is neither pleasant nor safe for pedestrians.

Hike ~30 minutes

Even if you enjoy hiking, you're really here for the sky and the temple, not necessarily to burn calories. Another advantage of the mandatory shuttle service is that most hikers only need about 30 minutes to reach the summit. That's a good thing – it can get pretty hot up there!

Enjoy the view

Once you reach the main sanctuary, there are essentially two ways to admire Thailand's mountain pagodas. Neither is truly "better" than the other, and both offer fantastic views of the surrounding landscape as well as of the temple within that landscape.

Eat something quickly before you leave.

Once you're back down at the parking lot, you'll find that the stalls (which were empty in the morning) are now bustling and offering local food and drinks. Unless you're in a hurry to get back to Lampang, I recommend stopping here for a delicious, albeit simple, local meal.

Other activities in Lampang

I know I often promote Lampang on this website, but it really is a fantastic travel destination that's absolutely worth venturing off the beaten track to see. Here are some more tips for Lampang:

  • Stay at The Riverside Guest House, an authentic accommodation that is one of my favorite places to stay in all of Thailand.
  • Explore the charming, tranquil city center, from the temples north of the Wang River to the potteries south of it.
  • Visit Wat Prathat Lampang Luang on your way into or out of the city, ideally combined with a breakfast of authentic Khao Soi curry noodle soup.
  • One could argue that Wat Phra That Doi Prachan, which is located about as far south of Lampang as Wat Chalermprakiat is to the north, is the better of the city's two "heavenly temples".

    • As you can see, Wat Chalermprakiat is by no means the only reason to make the trip to Lampang (if you are still undecided – I hope you are not!).

    Other frequently asked questions about visiting the Temple of Heaven in Thailand

    How do I get to the Temple of Heaven in Lampang?

    Once you arrive in Lampang, you can reach the Temple of Heaven (Wat Chalermprakiat) in just another hour by car – whether in your own vehicle or one arranged by the hotel. Traveling by public transport is not recommended unless you have plenty of time and speak fluent Thai.

    When was the Temple of Heaven in Lampang built?

    Many believe Wat Chalermprakiat is an ancient city, but it is actually relatively new. It was opened in 2004 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the reign of the popular Thai King Rama IV, whose name you might recognize if you have ever driven along Bangkok's famous Diagonal Road.

    Is a visit to the Temple of Heaven in Lampang worthwhile?

    The Temple of Heaven in Lampang is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you're already planning a stay in Lampang. If you don't intend to visit Lampang, I hope my article about Wat Chalermprakiat will inspire you – it truly is one of Thailand's most underrated hidden gems.

    Conclusion

    Wat Chalermprakiat is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're already in Lampang. Unlike many other popular tourist destinations in Thailand, the "Temple of Heaven" truly lives up to its name. This is partly due to its architecture, which offers various viewpoints reminiscent of drone footage. This makes exploring the temple grounds an intense, invigorating experience that will (hopefully) earn you new social media followers. Need help planning your trip to the Temple of Heaven in Thailand? Request your personalized Thailand itinerary today!