Often referred to as Wat Ket (pronounced ‘Gate’), this temple is located on the east bank of the Ping River opposite Warorot Market, Chiang Mai’s biggest fresh market.
This is an area that was originally settled by Chinese merchants and Western missionaries, and the riverbank in front of the temple is known as tha chang - ‘elephant jetty’ - from the days when elephants worked here dragging teak logs into rafts to be floated downstream.
The large compound contains the usual buildings - an assembly hall, ordination hall, stupa and monks’ living quarters, but there’s also a quirky museum in the northwest corner of the compound. This contains many reminders of the era of intensive teak logging in the area in the late 19th century, and the collection was assembled by one of the last of the teak wallahs, Jack Bain.
Few tourists find their way here, though there’s a pedestrian footbridge over the Ping River that leads from Warorot Market directly to the back entrance of the temple. A growing number of classy resorts such as 137 Pillars, just around the corner, however, suggests the temple may be receiving more visitors in future. Though the riverside road (Charoenrat) is very busy, the quieter residential streets to the east of the temple make for an interesting stroll.
Getting There
You can walk there from the city center. Cross Nawarat Bridge heading east, turn left, and look for the back entrance to the temple on your right after about 150 meters. Alrternatively, cross the pedestrian footbridge over the river from Warorot Market, which leads directly to the same rear entrance. A tuk-tuk or songthaew will probably drop you off at the main entrance along Nawatket Road.
Need to Know
- What is it? A temple with a quirky museum.
- Address: Nawatket Road.
- Opening hours: 06:00-19:00
- Entrance fee: Free.