Situated next to the more well-known Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pan Tao is one of the few remaining wooden temples in town that simply bursts with Northern Thai charm. The exposed beams coupled with the green and orange tiled floor creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s both welcoming and calming. While the temple sometimes gets overlooked with Wat Chedi Luang right next door, it stills sees large crowds of tourists so is best to go in the morning before tour buses have come in. Make sure to take some time to wander around the small, but charming temple grounds. These are not as overwhelming as some of the city’s more prestigious monasteries yet boast a number of attractive details such as an intricate peacock carving over the gate, an ancient Bodhi tree and walkway with brass bells covered by brilliant red umbrellas. The wooden temple is also home to one of the most mesmerising celebrations during the Visakha Bucha festival, held each year in May or June marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, when monks light hundreds of lamps around a pond on the temple grounds and sit in meditation.

Location:
In the center of the old town, next to Wat Chedi Luang, on Prapokkloa Road.