Located on a hill about ten kilometers from the town of Phrae, Wat Phra That Cho Hae is THE temple to see when visiting this region and an important pilgrimage site for the people of northern Thailand. It was built in the late 19th century. It's difficult to describe everything you see there, as the temple is large and magnificent. Among the most impressive elements are the Phra Jao Than Jai Buddha statue in the main building, reminiscent of the Chinnarat Buddha in Phitsanulok, which is said to bestow fertility on women to whom they make offerings, and the 33-meter-high, golden statue in the Chiang Saen style, built around a hair relic of the Buddha.

Free entry. Open from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

You can reach Wat Phra That Cho Hae from Phrae City by songthaew (shared taxi). Departure points are near the market on Chaw Hae Road. The first departure is at 6:00 AM, the last at 4:30 PM. The fare is 20 THB, but songthaews are quite rare. We waited for an hour without seeing one. Alternatively, you can hire a songthaew for 400 THB, which will take you to the temple and back to the city, outside of your visit time.

Wat Phra That Cho Hae 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 Phra That Cho Hae? From Phrae City, songthaews (shared taxis) go to Wat Phra That Cho Hae. They depart near the market on Chaw Hae Road. The first departure is at 6:00 AM, the last at 4:30 PM. The fare is 20 THB, but songthaews are quite rare. We waited for an hour without seeing one. Alternatively, you can hire a private songthaew for 400 THB, which will take you directly to the temple, deduct your visiting time, and then bring you back to the city.