Wat Uppakhut

Wat Upakhut sits at the river end of Tha Phae Road, on the corner of Chang Khlan Road near Chiang Mai’s Chinatown and the Ping River. Entry is free. The temple takes its name from Phra Upakhut, a protector figure from Buddhist folklore usually shown holding a begging bowl.

Not The Temple Some Guides Point To

Search for “Wat Upakhut” or “Wat Uppakhut” and you’ll find references to a temple near the Chiang Mai night bazaar and Ping River — this is that temple. Its address and coordinates place it firmly in Chang Khlan subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai, at the river end of Tha Phae Road, not out in San Kamphaeng district to the east. If you’ve seen it linked to San Kamphaeng elsewhere, that’s a mislabel; the temple itself has always stood by the river.

What’s Inside

The main viharn is smaller than it once was — part of the original temple grounds was given over to the neighbouring Puttasatharn Buddhist complex — but what remains is distinctive. Its interior walls are covered with more than 1,000 identical metal Buddha medallions, all cast from a single mould and gilded, each depicting a Buddha figure dressed in a dark red robe. It’s a repetitive, almost mosaic-like effect rather than a single dominant image, and it’s the temple’s most photographed feature. Founding dates for the temple vary by source — some place it as early as 1300 CE, others put a rebuild at around 130 years ago based on a resident monk’s account — so treat any specific age you read elsewhere with some caution.

Atmosphere & Timing

Being on Tha Phae Road near the Chinatown and night bazaar area, Wat Upakhut sees a steady trickle of passers-by rather than tour groups, and it functions as an active neighbourhood temple day to day. Once a year it hosts Wan Pengpud (วันเป็งปุ๊ด), a merit-making ceremony that draws crowds at midnight to pay respects — a genuinely local event rather than a tourist show, worth checking dates for if you’re in Chiang Mai around that time.

Practical Information

Insider Tip: Pair a visit with the nearby Wat Buppharam or Wat Changkhong, both within a few minutes’ walk on the same stretch of Tha Phae Road — an easy way to fill an hour without doubling back across town.

Watch out: Because the temple is often confused with attractions of a similar name elsewhere in Chiang Mai province, double-check any address or map pin against Chang Khlan subdistrict before setting off, especially if you’re using a ride-hailing app.

Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering the viharn. There’s no fixed viewing schedule — it’s open as a working temple, so quieter mid-morning visits give the best chance to see the medallion walls without a crowd.