Kwan Phayao

Kwan Phayao is the largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand, shallow and wide, formed in its present shape when a weir was built in the 1930s and 40s to raise the water for fisheries and irrigation - which flooded villages and a temple, Wat Tilok Aram, dating to around the fifteenth century. The temple has been partly rebuilt on the site and now stands in the lake reached by boat, with a Buddha image raised from the water displayed in Phayao. The lakefront promenade in town is the local evening walk, with a large standing Buddha, restaurants along the water, and sunset over the lake with the hills behind, which is what most visitors come for. Boats run out to the temple and around the lake from the piers. It is a working fishery, the water is shallow and murky, and the town sees very few foreign visitors.

What you actually see

• Wat Tilok Aram - the submerged temple, rebuilt and reached by boat.
• The lakefront promenade - the evening walk and the standing Buddha.
• The sunset - over the water with the hills behind.
• The fishery - working nets and boats on a shallow lake.

When to go

November to February for the weather; sunset is the reason to be on the promenade. Boats to the temple run through the day from the piers.

Honest expectations

The temple is a partial rebuild on the flooded site, not an intact submerged building. The lake is shallow and murky, and it is a working fishery rather than scenic water. Very little English is spoken.

Nearby

Phu Sang waterfall is east; Chiang Rai is north and Lampang south.