Wat Phra Putta Bath Si Roy

Rating: 4.4/5 (8 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00–18.00

 

Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi is located in Saluang Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province. It is one of Lanna’s most revered Buddhist sites, widely known as the temple that enshrines “four overlapping Buddha footprints.” For pilgrims and travelers who want to journey up into the mountains to pay respects in a genuinely northern forest setting, this place offers more than a beautiful hilltop temple. Its enduring sacred narrative stretches from Buddhist-era legends, connects to Chiang Mai history in the era associated with King Mangrai, and continues through later periods when Kruba Sri Wichai played a role in restoration. Visiting Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi is therefore not simply “temple sightseeing,” but a journey into the heart of Lanna faith where nature, tranquility, and worship rituals meet in one setting.

 

The legend passed down through generations gives this site a particularly profound religious meaning. It is said that within this Bhadrakalpa there are four Buddhas: Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gautama, the Buddha of the present dispensation. According to the tradition, all four left their footprints at the same point, forming what is known as the “Four Buddha Footprints.” The marks are described as overlapping and descending in size, consistent with older belief narratives that specify different lengths for each footprint. Because the story is preserved with deep devotion, the place is often regarded as a “convergence of time,” bringing together past, present, and future, since the prophecy also points to the coming of Maitreya in a future age. This belief frames worship here as a symbolic audience with the Buddha and an act of veneration expressed through the footprints.

 

Standing within the temple grounds and looking toward the viharn that shelters the footprints, what most visitors feel is the atmosphere of pilgrimage rather than ordinary tourism. Many people come with intentions tied to auspiciousness, safety in life, and a sincere wish to ask forgiveness for past wrongs in body, speech, and mind, reflecting the idea of repentance and beginning anew with steadiness in the Dharma. In this way, Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi becomes a place of inner restoration that a city temple cannot easily replicate, because the mountain’s silence and the surrounding nature gently guide visitors back to mindfulness.

 

In terms of tradition and practice, Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi is often considered a temple best visited with clear intention. Many choose to come in the morning to catch the misty calm before crowds build, or to visit on important Buddhist holy days to make merit, set intentions, and participate in worship according to personal faith. At certain times, there may also be meditation or Dhamma practice activities arranged by the temple or related centers, allowing those who want “more than sightseeing” to plan a stay for mindfulness training, listening to teachings, and slowing life down in a real and grounded way.

 

Another distinctive feature of Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi is the chance to witness “living faith” in the Lanna world. This includes offering flowers, incense, and candles, making simple heartfelt wishes, joining candlelit circumambulation on holy days (when activities are held), and observing respectful etiquette in sacred spaces: dressing modestly, speaking softly, avoiding loud noise in the viharn, and refraining from anything that disturbs those who are praying or meditating. If you enjoy photography, the temple can be very beautiful, but the best images usually come from photographing with awareness—choosing moments that do not interrupt rituals and respecting shared space.

 

The temple sits on a mountain, so the ascent includes curves and some steep sections. For many, that is part of the charm of traveling through the Mae Rim–Saluang area, creating a feeling of “gradually moving toward the essence,” rather than simply driving to a destination and being done. Along the way, you pass natural scenery and several attractions in Mae Rim District, which makes it easy to plan either a day trip or an overnight trip. Those who want to combine the visit with Mon Jam, Mae Sa Waterfall, or the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden can often arrange them along the same route.

 

Getting There If starting from Chiang Mai city, most travelers drive toward Mae Rim, then continue onto the mountain route in the Saluang/Pong Yaeng area by following road signs and navigation. A key point is to check your vehicle before the ascent—especially brakes, tires, and fuel—because mountain driving requires more caution than flat roads. If you are not confident driving on mountain roads, it is best to travel during daylight, avoid heavy rain, and allow extra time. For visitors without a private car, the simplest option is to hire a car/driver from Chiang Mai city, or combine this visit with a Mon Jam trip to make the journey more worthwhile.

 

The best time to visit Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi for both pleasant weather and comfortable travel is typically morning to late morning, especially from the cool season through early hot season when mountain temperatures are refreshing and visibility is generally good. The rainy season brings lush greenery and a different kind of beauty, but drivers should go slowly and be cautious of slippery roads and thick fog on some days. If your goal is quiet reflection or Dhamma practice, weekdays are usually better because the temple is less crowded and the atmosphere is more serene.

 

After arriving, it is recommended to settle your mind before entering the viharn that shelters the footprints, because this inner area is the spiritual core of the site and the primary destination for most visitors. A common approach is to pay respects with sincerity, recite prayers or a dedication according to one’s faith, and then make wishes without rushing. Many people pray for safety, work, health, or for a steadier mind and the wisdom to move through life’s difficulties. This aligns with a Lanna idea often expressed as “the Dharma protects,” where worshiping the Buddha’s footprints is seen as cleansing the heart, lightening burdens, and beginning again with greater stability.

 

If you are interested in cultural travel, it is worth looking beyond a single focal point. Elements of the temple and its built environment reflect the growth of community faith—from the viharn construction and the care of the grounds to how the site accommodates pilgrims. In a broader sense, Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi also serves as a destination that reveals Mae Rim in a deeper dimension than cafes and viewpoints: Mae Rim as a landscape of Dharma and a mountain pilgrimage route.

 

Ultimately, if you are looking for a Chiang Mai temple that combines sacred narrative, spiritual resonance, nature, and a calm that feels genuinely present, Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Roi is a worthwhile choice—the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave, whether you travel alone, with family, or bring parents to make merit.

 

 

A: The temple is in Saluang Subdistrict, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai. It is a mountain temple that requires an uphill drive and is ideal for worship and nature-focused visits.

 

A: The highlight is the four overlapping Buddha footprints, associated with the belief in four Buddhas, along with the calm and contemplative atmosphere suitable for merit-making and meditation.

 

A: Morning to late morning is recommended for better weather, fewer crowds, and safer mountain driving, especially on rainy or foggy days.

 

A: The route has curves and some steep sections. Check brakes, tires, and fuel before ascending, drive at a safe speed, and avoid night driving if you are not familiar with mountain roads.

 

A: There is generally no entrance fee. Visitors can donate according to their faith, offer flowers/incense as appropriate, and worship the footprints respectfully and quietly.

 

A: Commonly listed contact numbers are 053-998348 and 093-3792578.