This remote forest temple is located 11km northwest of Mae Sot, overlooking the Moei River and Burma. It’s well worth visiting, but you need to be fairly fit to take on the steep climb up to see the unusual chedi perched on a rock.
There’s no English sign for the temple, but it’s the only temple in this area, so you need to keep your eyes open for an a temple entrance on the right. At the base of the hill is a simple, open-sided viharn and a few monks’ guti or living quarters. A towering standing Buddha, about 5 meters tall, marks the point where the steps up the hill begin. There are lots of them and they’re quite steep, so it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the top, with frequent pauses to catch your breath.
At the top of the steps is a small cave with a Burmese-style Buddha image inside. After this the path splits; to the right takes you to a Buddha footprint, while to the left takes you to the temple’s main point of interest - its chedi.
What is amazing about this sight is that the huge rock on which the tiny chedi has been erected appears to defy the laws of physics, as it balances precariously on the hilltop and looks like it must tumble down at any moment. The rock has now been painted gold, and the stupa is surrounded by a few colorful figures, creating a unique scene. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s a smaller version of Burma’s Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, which is also built on a precariously balanced rock.
Getting There
There’s no public transport to this temple, so you’ll need a rented car or motorbike, or arrange for a motorbike taxi to take you. Head out to the Friendship Bridge at the Burmese border, make a U-turn, and as you head back towards Mae Sot, look for a small, signposted turning on the left to Wat Thai Wattanaram. Pass this temple and drive on up to a police checkpoint, from where you should take the right fork and continue along a poorly surfaced road for 7km, where you’ll find Wat Phra That Doi Hin Kiu on the right (no English sign).
Need to Know
- What is it? A unique stupa perched on a gold-painted rock on a hill.
- When to go: Any time, but don’t leave it too late to allow yourself to get up and down before dark.
- Nearest town: Mae Sot
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00 daily
- Entrance fee: Free
- Where: 11km northwest of Mae Sot