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Phayao Temple Trail
Tilok Aram–Si Khom Kham–Nantaram

In Phayao, faith and lakeside life still sit close together. One morning you're rolling balls of sticky rice for the alms round by the lake, then stepping into a boat to bow before a 500-year-old stupa standing in the water. That same morning you can stand in front of the largest Buddha image in the Lanna region, and the next day walk into a Shan teakwood hall in Chiang Kham. This is a relaxed 2-day, 1-night plan that ties three main temples together without rushing — with timings, boat fares, and a real-world pace you can actually walk.

🛶 Underwater stupa🙏 Phra Chao Ton Luang🪵 Shan teak hall
Phayao Temple Trail Tilok Aram–Si Khom Kham–Nantaram

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The three temples in this plan sit in different parts of Phayao. Wat Tilok Aram stands in the middle of Kwan Phayao right in town — you board the boat straight from the lakeshore. Wat Si Khom Kham is on the northern edge of the lake, a few minutes' walk or drive from the centre. Wat Nantaram is out in Chiang Kham district, about 75 km from Phayao town, roughly an hour and a half by car. So we put the two in-town temples on the first day and saved Chiang Kham for the second, with a stop at Wat Analayo on the hill on the way back.

Who this plan suits

  • Temple lovers, the spiritually inclined, and anyone into architecture — you get an underwater stupa, a giant Buddha, and a carved Shan teak hall all in one trip.
  • Early risers — the first highlight is the lakeside alms round at around 7:30 a.m. Sleep in and you'll miss that atmosphere.
  • Anyone with their own car or a rental — Chiang Kham and the hilltop temple have no convenient public transport. Driving yourself or hiring a car is by far the smoothest option.
  • People who want an unhurried pace — this plan leaves room for proper meals, a lakeside café, and plenty of photos. It's not a stamp-collecting sprint.
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Day 1 — Kwan Phayao, the underwater stupa, and the great Buddha

Day 1

Phayao town, by the lake

7:15 a.m.
Arrive at the pier/pavilion by Kwan Phayao, ready for the sticky-rice alms roundLocals roll small balls of sticky rice into the monks' bowls, facing out toward the stupa in the middle of the lake. It's a signature morning scene in this town.
7:30 a.m.
Give alms by the lake, then take the boat out to Wat Tilok AramThe return boat fare is about 20 THB per person, with life jackets and hats provided. The round trip takes roughly 15 minutes.
8:00 a.m.
Pay respects to Luang Pho Sila and the stupa at Wat Tilok Aram, out on the waterThis 500-year-old temple sank beneath the lake, leaving only the tip of the stupa above the surface. If you come around Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, or Asalha Bucha day, there's a candle procession by boat around the stupa — something you won't see anywhere else.
9:00 a.m.
Head back to shore and find breakfast by the lake — kai krata (pan-fried eggs) or hot sticky riceThe lakeshore strip has several breakfast spots and cafés where you can sit and watch the water before carrying on.
10:30 a.m.
Go to Wat Si Khom Kham to see Phra Chao Ton LuangA gilded stucco Buddha in the Maravijaya posture, Chiang Saen style, with a lap about 14 metres wide and standing around 16 metres tall — the largest Buddha image in the Lanna region, built around 1491.
11:30 a.m.
Walk through the cultural exhibition hall at Wat Si Khom KhamOpen Wednesday to Sunday, roughly 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with artwork and antiques that tell Phayao's story. On Monday and Tuesday the hall may be closed, but you can still go in and pay respects in the main hall as usual.
12:30 p.m.
Break for lunch — try a northern Phayao dish like khanom jeen nam ngiao or sai uaThe town is known for freshwater fish from the lake and local northern food. Pick whichever in-town spot suits you.
2:30 p.m.
Stroll the old town, stopping at Wat Li and the Wiang Phayao museumWat Li was built around 1495. 'Li' is an old northern word for market, a hint that the temple sits in a long-established community. There's a museum here holding Wiang Phayao artefacts.
5:30 p.m.
Return to the Kwan Phayao lakeshore for sunset behind the hillsIn the evening the lakeshore is a genuine local hangout where Phayao people come out to walk. The breeze cools down and the sky shifts colour beautifully — a good place to close the day with a few photos.

Day 1 tip

If you want the full alms-round atmosphere, aim to reach the lakeshore before 7:30 a.m., since the monks receive alms in the early morning and the boats to Wat Tilok Aram are busier early than later in the day. On Buddhist holy days or major religious dates expect noticeably bigger crowds.

Day 2 — Chiang Kham, the Shan teak hall, and a hilltop temple

Day two is a longer drive north into Chiang Kham district, about 75 km from Phayao town and roughly an hour and a half away. It's a pretty route through rice fields and mountains, and the main goal is Wat Nantaram, a Shan temple whose entire teakwood hall is still intact.

Day 2

Chiang Kham and the drive back over the hills

8:00 a.m.
Have breakfast in Phayao town, check out, and set off for Chiang KhamFill up the tank first — the later stretch runs through the countryside and stations are fairly spread out.
9:30 a.m.
Arrive at Wat Nantaram, Chiang Kham districtLocated in Yuan sub-district, open roughly 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays it opens earlier, around 7:00 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
Go inside the Shan-style teakwood hallThe hall is built entirely of teak, with 68 gilded teak pillars in all. Fretwork along the gable, windows, and verandah is set with coloured glass — fine, quiet Shan craftsmanship.
10:30 a.m.
Visit the folk museum inside the templeIt holds old pieces like vintage banknotes, household items, and paintings of the Mahachat sermon — all of which help you understand the way of life of Chiang Kham's Shan community.
11:30 a.m.
Lunch in Chiang Kham — try local Tai Lue and Shan foodChiang Kham has Tai Lue and Shan communities, and the local food has a character of its own, distinct from the cooking back in Phayao town.
1:00 p.m.
Set off back, heading for Wat Analayo Thipayaram on Doi BusarakhamIt's in San Pa Muang sub-district — turn onto the hill road via Highways 1127 and 1193 before reaching Phayao town. Open roughly 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
See Wat Analayo and the view over Kwan Phayao from the hillThe temple blends Lanna, Burmese, and Shan styles, with a Bodhgaya-style stupa, a replica of the Emerald Buddha hall, and a viewpoint that takes in the full sweep of Kwan Phayao and the town. A spacious, peaceful place to close the trip.
4:30 p.m.
Come down off the hill, back into Phayao town or on to your next stopIf you've still got energy, swing by the lakeshore one more time before heading off — the evening light is just as lovely as before.

The three main temples, worth knowing before you go

In town

Wat Tilok Aram

A 500-year-old stupa in the middle of Kwan Phayao. The return boat ride is about 20 THB; pay respects to Luang Pho Sila. On major holy days there's a candle procession by boat.

Northern lakeshore

Wat Si Khom Kham

Home to Phra Chao Ton Luang, the largest Buddha image in the Lanna region, in Chiang Saen style. There's a cultural exhibition hall to see as well.

Chiang Kham district

Wat Nantaram

A Shan-style teakwood hall in Chiang Kham district, with 68 gilded pillars and fine fretwork, plus a folk museum.

Getting around and what to bring

  • Transport — the two in-town temples are an easy walk or short drive apart, but for Chiang Kham and the hilltop temple you really want your own car or a hire car; it gives you far better control over your timing than waiting on public transport.
  • Clothing — dress modestly for the temples, covering shoulders and knees, especially when entering the halls.
  • Cash — boat fares, donations, and many local shops are easier with cash, so keep some small notes on hand.
  • Time — allow about an hour and a half each way for the Chiang Kham drive, and check the cultural exhibition hall's opening days (Wednesday–Sunday) before you build your schedule.
  • Season — the cool season (November–February) has the best weather, with morning mist over the lake. In the rainy season the hill road can be slippery, so drive up carefully.

Straight talk

If you've only got one day, drop Chiang Kham and focus on the town — the lakeside alms round, the boat to Wat Tilok Aram, paying respects to Phra Chao Ton Luang at Si Khom Kham, then closing with the hill view at Analayo. That's already a full day. Save Wat Nantaram for a trip when you can genuinely make the long drive; it's more rewarding than forcing it all into one day.

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FAQ

Where do you catch the boat to Wat Tilok Aram, and how much is the fare?

You board at the pavilion/pier along the lakeshore road by Kwan Phayao — the same spot where locals give sticky-rice alms in the morning. The return fare is about 20 THB per person, with life jackets and hats provided, and the round trip takes roughly 15 minutes. Boats are busier in the early morning than later in the day.

Which temple is Phra Chao Ton Luang in, and why does it matter?

It's at Wat Si Khom Kham, on the northern edge of Kwan Phayao. It's a gilded stucco Buddha in the Maravijaya posture, Chiang Saen style, with a lap about 14 metres wide and standing around 16 metres tall — the largest Buddha image in the Lanna region, built around 1491.

How far is Wat Nantaram from Phayao town, and what are the hours?

It's in Yuan sub-district, Chiang Kham district, about 75 km from Phayao town — roughly an hour and a half by car. It's open about 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays it opens earlier, around 7:00 a.m. The highlights are the Shan-style teakwood hall and the folk museum inside the temple.

How many days does this temple plan really need?

Two days and one night is about right. Spend the first day in town (lakeside alms round, Wat Tilok Aram, Wat Si Khom Kham, the old town), then on the second day drive to Chiang Kham for Wat Nantaram and stop at Wat Analayo on the hill on the way back. If you only have one day, drop Chiang Kham and stick to the town plus the hilltop temple.

What's the best time of year to go?

The cool season from around November to February is comfortable, and Kwan Phayao often has morning mist that makes for a lovely atmosphere. If you want to see the candle procession by boat around the stupa at Wat Tilok Aram, you'll need to go on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, or Asalha Bucha day.

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