Wat Fa Lang

Rating: 3/5 (8 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Recommended 08.00–17.00

 

Wat Fa Lang is located in Ban San Hin (formerly known as “Ban Muang Ngam”), No. 191, Moo 1, Doi Lo Subdistrict, Doi Lo District, Chiang Mai Province 50160. The temple sits right along the Chiang Mai–Hot Road at approximately kilometer marker 37.5, which makes it an easy stop for anyone driving south from Chiang Mai city toward the Chom Thong–Hot area, or for travelers who want to trace older temples along the southern Ping River corridor. The first impression upon arrival is the atmosphere of a community temple that gently invites you to pause—shaded, quiet, and welcoming, without being staged as a “tourist landmark.” It feels grounded in local life.

 

Local accounts often describe Wat Fa Lang as an old temple with an age of around 400 years. It is said to have been abandoned for a long period before gradually coming back to life in later times. What makes the temple especially compelling is not just its age, but the way the name “Wat Pa Fa Lang” appears in the context of legends and older literary works connected to Chiang Mai—particularly in the Phra That Si Chom Thong legend and the poetic chronicle known as *Mantara Rob Chiang Mai*. These references helped preserve the temple’s name as a place tied to layers of time, memory, and networks of Lanna monastic learning, rather than simply a roadside temple people pass without noticing.

 

When reading these legends alongside the explanations provided by scholars who translated and interpreted the texts, it becomes clear that mentions of the “forest abbot of Pa Fa Lang” are more than narrative decoration. They suggest a respected monk figure associated with the movement of knowledge and scriptures into Lanna, with stories describing him as someone who brought the legend of the Great Relic (Phra Maha That Chao) from Pagan (Bagan) during a period in Lanna history. In this sense, visiting the temple is not only about worship. It can feel like standing at a crossroads of faith, political history, and the long-distance travel of Buddhist knowledge across regions.

 

In terms of landscape and geography, Wat Fa Lang sits along a major route connecting Chiang Mai with its southern districts. Because of this, the temple has long received many kinds of visitors: local residents, travelers passing through, and pilgrims making merit along routes tied to the Ping River basin. The distinctive quality of a temple like this is that it is a “stop along the road that does not rush you.” It is easy to reach, yet it encourages a slower rhythm—ideal for those who want to step away from crowded, mainstream attractions and experience Chiang Mai in a quieter, more reflective way, with space to observe and ask questions.

 

From a local historical perspective, the fact that the temple may have been abandoned for a long period is not unusual in Lanna. Many temples across the region went through disruption and decline due to warfare, community migration, epidemics, and later administrative changes. As a result, it is common to find temples that once “disappeared from active use” and then returned when communities became strong enough to restore them and reestablish religious life. Wat Fa Lang can therefore be read through both a “legendary” lens and a “social history” lens: a place where devotion once faded, then was replenished by the faith and effort of later generations.

 

For visitors coming primarily to worship, what makes Wat Fa Lang worth stopping for is the calm setting that suits a simple, respectful visit. There is no need for complex ritual. Dress modestly, walk mindfully through the grounds, and if you happen to visit during community merit-making events (such as annual temple ceremonies, Kathina, or Pha Pa), you will see the temple’s role as a community center much more clearly. Temples of this kind often function as a stage where community relationships are renewed—where people reinforce kinship, belonging, and the shared identity of living in the same place.

 

Another way to deepen the visit is to “read the names” of the temple and the area. The name “Fa Lang” and the village’s former name, “Muang Ngam,” often make visitors wonder about their origins. Even if there are multiple strands of local explanation, asking these questions is precisely what keeps temple travel in Chiang Mai from becoming mere check-ins. It opens doors to language history, geography, and community memory.

 

Getting There If you are driving from Chiang Mai city, take the Chiang Mai–Hot Road (Highway 108) heading south. Pass through the Hang Dong–Saraphi area and enter Doi Lo District. Watch for kilometer marker 37.5 near Ban San Hin, then turn into the local access road following temple signage or community entry points. Traveling by private car is the most convenient. It is wise to allow extra time during rush hours and to check weather conditions during the rainy season, especially if there is heavy rainfall.

 

 

A: Generally yes. Visiting between 08.00 and 17.00 is recommended, though actual hours may vary depending on temple activities.

 

A: It is in Ban San Hin, Doi Lo District, directly along the Chiang Mai–Hot Road at approximately kilometer marker 37.5.

 

A: Local tradition says the former name “Wat Pa Fa Lang” appears in Lanna legends and classical chronicles connected to Chiang Mai and Phra That Si Chom Thong, giving the temple a strong place in historical memory.

 

A: Take Highway 108 (Chiang Mai–Hot Road) south toward Doi Lo District. Watch for Km. 37.5 near Ban San Hin, then follow the community access road to the temple.

 

A: You can contact the temple at 053-367-490.