🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Wat Analayo Thipayaram sits on Doi Busarakham in San Pa Muang sub-district, Mueang Phayao district, about 20 km from town on the western side of Kwan Phayao. It's a temple of the Thammayut order, founded by Phra Dhamma Wisutthiyan (Luang Pho Paiboon Sumangkhalo). What makes it stand out is its position high on the hilltop, which turns it into both a place to make merit and a high vantage point over Kwan Phayao at the same time.
Why people make the trip up here
The main reason locals and visitors drive up the hill is the view of Kwan Phayao with the whole lake in sight. From the top you look down on the lake as a wide sheet of water, with the town of Phayao, rice fields and a wall of mountains behind it — an angle you simply can't get from down in town. Beyond the view, the temple grounds themselves are leafy and shaded, with plenty of trees and a quiet, calm feel that suits anyone wanting to step away from the bustle and just sit for a while.
- High-angle view over Kwan Phayao — the whole lake and town in one frame; the shot most people come up here to take.
- Sukhothai-style Buddha image — a finely proportioned Buddha that is the temple's main place to pay respects.
- Bodh Gaya–style Rattana Chedi — a stupa built in the Indian style, the landmark of the temple.
- Buddha images in various postures — a reclining Buddha, a walking (Lila) Buddha and a Naga-sheltered Buddha, spread across different points on the hill.
- Chinese pavilion of Guan Yin — a Chinese-style pavilion housing an image of the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin.
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What there is to see inside the temple
Wat Analayo isn't a small temple — it's spread out across the hill, with several spots to pay respects and wander between, each with its own architecture. It pulls together a mix of styles in one place.
Mon Phra Non (Reclining Buddha mound)
Home to a large reclining Buddha image, and a good spot to frame a photo together with the view below.
Rattana Chedi
A Bodh Gaya–style Indian stupa, the highlight you can see from a distance up on the hilltop.
Replica Emerald Buddha hall
A hall housing a replica of the Emerald Buddha along with several metal Buddha images.
Chinese pavilion of Guan Yin
A Chinese-style pavilion set in the garden; those who revere Guan Yin often stop by to ask for blessings.
Getting up the hill and how to get there
From the town of Phayao, take Highway 1 (Phayao–Chiang Rai) north for about 7 km, then turn left onto Highways 1127–1193 for roughly another 9 km. It's paved the whole way and an easy drive. At the foot of the hill you have two ways up: climb the stairs, or drive up and park at the top. Most people drive up, since the hill is fairly high.
- Distance — about 20 km from the town of Phayao, roughly a 30–40 min drive.
- Transport — you'll need your own car or a rented car/motorbike, as there's no public transport up to the temple.
- Getting up — choose between climbing the stairs or driving up to the top.
- Hours — open daily 06:00–18:00, free entry with no admission charge.
Photo-angle tip
The view over Kwan Phayao looks its best in the early morning when the air is clear, or in the late afternoon before sunset, when the light softens and the lake reads sharply. If you come in the middle of a bright day, shots can look washed out with some heat haze veiling the view.
When to go
You can go up year-round, but the season for the best views and pleasantly cool air is the cool season, roughly November to February — clear skies and a long view across Kwan Phayao, with some mornings even giving you a chance of mist drifting over the lake. In the rainy season the hill is lush and green, but the road up can get slippery and the view may end up hidden behind cloud. It's worth allowing extra time and checking the weather before you head up.
Where to go next nearby
Wat Analayo is on the western side of Kwan Phayao, so it pairs easily with other spots around the lake in a single day. Once you come down off the hill, drive back along the lakeshore into town and you can stop at a few more good places along the way.
Kwan Phayao
The freshwater lake in the middle of town — a spot for sunsets and a boat out to the floating temple, Wat Tilok Aram.
Temple in the waterWat Tilok Aram
A temple in the middle of Kwan Phayao that you reach by rowboat to pay respects — one of the town's highlights.
Major templeWat Si Khom Kham
Home to Phra Chao Ton Luang, the largest Buddha image in Phayao, sitting right by the lake.
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