Phra That Chom Chaeng

Phra That Chom Chaeng sits on a hill in Cho Hae subdistrict, on the edge of Phrae town, and is one of the province’s oldest temples — local records put its founding well over a thousand years ago. The gold chedi stands about 29 metres tall on a 10-metre base, said to enshrine a hand relic and a hair relic of the Buddha. It was significantly restored around the 14th century under King Lithai of Sukhothai, with further work continuing through the 20th century, including the naga-flanked stairway and a small on-site museum.

The main chedi is the focal point, its gold surface catching the light from the moment you climb the stairs. Around the base, smaller shrines hold Luang Pho Chom Chaeng, the temple’s principal Buddha image, itself several centuries old and the object of most local merit-making visits. From the hilltop, the ground opens out over Phrae’s valley and rice plains below — worth the climb even without the temple’s history attached.

This isn’t a heavily touristed site. Most visitors are Phrae locals making merit rather than day-trippers, and the grounds stay quiet outside festival dates. That makes it a straightforward add-on to a Phrae town visit rather than a destination requiring a special trip.

Insider Tip: Combine it with the other Phrae temples on the same side of town — the hilltop position means you get a valley view most of the town-centre wats don’t offer.

Getting there is a short drive or motorbike ride from central Phrae, with a paved road most of the way up and a brief walk for the final stretch to the chedi. Cover your shoulders and knees, as at any active Thai temple, and expect the hilltop breeze to be noticeably cooler than the valley floor.