Wat Ban Den, or Wat Bandensali Si Mueang Kaen, is located 50 kilometers from Chiang Mai. It is a vast Buddhist complex with several halls and stupas. Its colorful statues and imposing size have contributed to its fame. The temple, formerly Wat Ribunrueang, is situated in the Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai province and sits atop a small hill. In 1804, the abbot at the time, Kruba Thueang Natsilo, had the temple renovated to transform it into a magnificent place of worship and attract more worshippers. The temple's main buildings include an ubosot (main hall) within a ho trai (traditional Buddhist temple), a library containing sacred scriptures, a drum tower, a wihan sao inthakhin (sacred pillar), a kuti (traditional Buddhist hut) made of teak in the Lanna style, a monk's house, and a stupa. Don't miss the magnificent reclining Buddha in the Burmese style! Wat Ban Den is a huge temple that is constantly expanding. Architecturally, it features a variety of different elements and styles with an astonishing attention to detail. It's a beautiful place, but I have to admit that it lacked the special atmosphere I usually experience in Thai temples. I've been there twice, and both times I felt the place was somewhat artificial. But perhaps that's just me, and it's still an interesting visit and a recommended stop on the route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao.

No entrance fee. Please note that every year during the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng festivals in Chiang Mai (usually in November, though the exact date varies depending on the lunar calendar), a large sky lantern launch takes place at the temple. However, participation is subject to a fee, and the ticket is quite expensive (approximately €100 per person).

There is no local bus service to reach the temple. You must either use your own transport or hire a private car to take you there, wait for you during your visit, and bring you back to Chiang Mai.

Wat Ban Den is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Ban Den? There is no local bus service to the temple. You will need to either use your own transport or hire a private car (red) to take you there, wait for you during your visit, and bring you back to Chiang Mai.