Thailand has a problem with viral destinations. Well, maybe Thailand doesn’t have a problem with them—foreigners have a problem with them. Well, a couple problems.
The first? Many of the most amazing spots you see in random social media posts are photographed from drones, and look utterly unremarkable when seen with your own eyes. (I’m looking at you, Dragon Temple.) The second? They’re often day trips from places in Thailand that are already off the beaten path.
While I can’t do anything to help the remote location of the Wat Chalermprakiat “Sky Temple,” I can assure you that you don’t need a drone to see it in its full magnificence—you just need to hike to drone-flying height!
How to Get to Wat Chalermprakiat
Reaching the Thailand sky temple is easy, but takes a bit of time—especially if you hadn’t previously planned to be in Lampang. To get to Lampang, you can either go by bus or private car from Chiang Mai (which takes ~90 minutes one-way), or fly nonstop from Bangkok. Wat Chalermprakiat, in turn, is about an hour by car from Lampang, whether you have your own wheels or arrange a car and driver through a local hotel.
While this is close enough to Chiang Mai that you can do the entire excursion as a day trip, if coming from Bangkok you will almost certainly need to spend the night. The good news is that since Lampang is very cheap, you won’t need to consult a broker forex Thailand or go to any similar lengths in order to have funds for lodging. All you really need to commit is time—and I assure you that the return on your investment will be very high.
What to Do Once You Reach Wat Chalermprakiat
Marvel upward from the ground
Although you don’t get the full “sky temple” effect until you are at least as high as its white stupa, the site is still nothing short of otherworldly from the ground. After your car parks and you buy tickets, make sure to take a second to appreciate what you’re seeing.
Get a head start in a songthaew
Don’t be alarmed if the driver of a songthaew pick-up truck approaches you as you begin walking toward the Lampang sky temple. This is a required part of the journey, as the portion of the road that leads from the parking lot to the actual Wat Chalermprakiat trailhead is neither pleasant nor safe for pedestrians.
Hike ~30 minutes
Indeed, even if you love hiking, the reality is that you came here for the sky and the temple, not (necessarily) the calorie-burning. An added benefit of the compulsory pick-up ride, to be sure, is that it will only take most people around 30 minutes to reach the top once they actually start hiking. Which is good—it can get hot here!
Enjoy the view
Once you reach the main sacred site, there are basically two ways you can go to enjoy the Thailand mountaintop pagodas. Neither is really “better” than the other, and both offer fabulous views of both the surrounding countryside, and the temple in the context of it.
Grab a bite to eat before leaving
After descending back down to the parking lot, you’ll notice that the stalls (which were empty in the morning) have come to life, serving local food and drink. Unless you’re in a massive rush to get back to Lampang, I suggest stopping here for an awesome, if simple local meal.
Other Things to Do in Lampang
I know I sell Lampang a lot on this website, but it really is a fabulous destination that’s more than worth journeying off the beaten path. Here’s what else to do in Lampang:
- Sleep at The Riverside Guest House, an authentic accommodation that’s one of my favorite places to stay in all of Thailand.
- Explore the charming, quiet town center, from the temples north of the Wang River to the pottery factories south of it.
- Visit Wat Prathat Lampang Luang on your way into or out of town, ideally paired with a breakfast of authentic Khao Soi curry noodle soup.
As you can see, Wat Chalermprakiat is far from the only reason to make the trek to Lampang (in case you’re still on the fence about doing so—I hope you’re not!).
Other FAQ About Visiting Thailand’s Sky Temple
How do I get to Lampang sky temple?
Once you’re in Lampang, the Wat Chalermprakiat sky temple is just one more hour away by private car, be that your own set of wheels or one arranged through your hotel. It’s not realistic to travel here by public transportation, unless you have a lot of time and can speak Thai very well.
When was the Lampang sky temple built?
Many people assume that Wat Chalermprakiat is an ancient city, but it’s actually relatively new. It opened in 2004 as a way to commemorate 200 years since the reign of Thailand’s beloved King Rama IV, whose name you might know if you’ve traveled along Bangkok’s most famous diagonal road.
Is the Lampang sky temple worth visiting?
The Lampang Sky Temple is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you already plan to be in Lampang. If you don’t plan to visit Lampang, I hope that my article about Wat Chalermprakiat will add motivation for you to do so—it really is one of Thailand’s most underrated hidden gems.
The Bottom Line
Wat Chalermprakiat is worth the trip, especially if you already plan to be in Lampang. Unlike many viral destinations in Thailand, the “Sky Temple” absolutely lives up to the hype, in part because its design incorporates various vantage points that mimic being able to see the place from a drone. This, in turns, means that exploring the grounds of the temple is a very physically immersive experience, so it gets your blood pumping, in addition to (hopefully) gaining you some social media followers. Need personalized help fitting Thailand’s Sky Temple in your trip? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today!
