About Wat Chao Chan
Wat Chao Chan is in Chaliang, the old settlement beside Si Satchanalai. The thing to see is a single laterite tower, with stepped-back corners and a tiered top, and it's in good shape for its age. It's usually dated to the early 13th century, but nobody knows the exact date, who built it or which faith it first served. You'll read that it was a royal rest house on an old road. That's one theory, not a settled fact. The image chamber and assembly hall next to the tower came later, in the Sukhothai period.
Things to do at Wat Chao Chan
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See the laterite tower
Culture
One tower is still standing. Look for the stepped-back corners and the tiered top.
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Find the later buildings
Culture
The remains of an image chamber and an assembly hall were added in the Sukhothai period.
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Walk on to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
Culture
Chaliang's big temple is about 650 meters away, so see both while you're here.
Boat trips and park access change with the season and weather, so confirm locally before you go.
When to go
Best months for The North: Nov to Jan. Month-by-month guide
- Jan Best
- Feb Good
- Mar Avoid
- Apr Avoid
- May Mixed
- Jun Mixed
- Jul Mixed
- Aug Mixed
- Sep Mixed
- Oct Good
- Nov Best
- Dec Best
Regional weather guide, not specific to Wat Chao Chan. Tap a month for details.
