Wat Phra That Duang Diao (Wiang Chedi)

Opening days: Daily

Opening hours: 08.00 - 16.30

 

Wat Phra That Duang Diao, also known as Wat Phra That Duang Diao (Wiang Chedi) or Wat Phra That Duang Diao (Klang Wiang), is a small hilltop temple near Li town in Lamphun Province. Located around Ban San Doi Wiang / Ban Phra That Ha Duang in Li Subdistrict, the temple is best known for its tall square-based chedi, built over an older chedi on the site of an ancient town area. It is a convenient cultural stop for travelers visiting Li District.

 

The present temple structures, including the chedi seen today, were built later and are less than 80 years old. However, the site is important because it stands on an older historical location. This makes Wat Phra That Duang Diao a place where modern Buddhist architecture, local memory and ancient settlement history come together.

 

The main chedi is a newly built square, indented-corner structure with a slender vertical form, standing about 30 meters high. It was built to cover the original chedi, leaving no clear visible remains of the old structure. The chedi stands within a surrounding cloister, creating a calm and clearly defined sacred area for worship and circumambulation.

 

Around the chedi are Buddha image niches facing the 4 directions, along with miniature chedis representing the 12 zodiac birth years. These features allow visitors to pay respect not only to the main chedi, but also to the directional Buddha images and zodiac chedi replicas within the same temple area.

 

The name “Phra That Duang Diao” gives the temple a distinctive identity. The words suggest uniqueness and singularity, while the names “Klang Wiang” and “Wiang Chedi” reflect the temple’s relationship with an old town or ancient settlement area in Li District.

 

Local legend connects the temple with Queen Chamari and the founding of Li. The story tells of refuge, city founding and an auspicious vision involving a shining crystal appearing between the present areas of Wat Phra That Duang Diao and Wat Phra That Ha Duang. Although the current buildings are recent, these stories give the site cultural and spiritual depth.

 

Getting There is simple from Li town. Take Highway 106 toward Thoen District in Lampang for about 1.7 km. The temple is on the left-hand side before Wat Phra That Ha Duang by about 500 meters. Travelers without a private vehicle can use the Li – Ban Huai Tom local bus route.

 

Wat Phra That Duang Diao is suitable for a short, peaceful visit. Travelers can make merit, admire the chedi, walk around the cloister and continue to nearby places such as Wat Phra That Ha Duang, Mae Yang Ngua Reservoir, Wat Phra Phutthabat Huai Tom and the Phra Bat Huai Tom community. Visitors should dress respectfully and behave appropriately around the chedi and Buddha images.

 

 

A: It is located around Ban San Doi Wiang / Ban Phra That Ha Duang, Moo 15, Li Subdistrict, Li District, Lamphun Province, near Li town.

 

A: The main highlight is a square indented-corner chedi about 30 meters high, built over the original chedi on an ancient town site.

 

A: The chedi seen today is a later construction built to cover the original chedi.

 

A: From Li town, take Highway 106 toward Thoen District in Lampang for about 1.7 km. The temple is on the left-hand side, or travelers can use the Li – Ban Huai Tom local bus route.

 

A: Yes. Wat Phra That Duang Diao is about 500 meters before Wat Phra That Ha Duang.

 

A: Visitors can see the surrounding cloister, 4 directional Buddha image niches and 12 zodiac chedi replicas.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Phra That Ha Duang, Mae Yang Ngua Reservoir, Wat Phra Phutthabat Huai Tom and the Phra Bat Huai Tom community.