Wat Chet Yot
A seven-spired fifteenth-century temple modelled on the Mahabodhi at Bodh Gaya, with stucco deities on its outer walls.
Updated 18 October 2026
Wat Chet Yot, properly Wat Photharam Maha Wihan, was built in 1455 under King Tilokarat, who had a version of the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in India - the site of the Buddha's enlightenment - built here (by one account after sending monks to study its copy at Bagan in Burma), with seven spires on a rectangular base, which is what chet yot means. In 1477 the eighth World Buddhist Council met at this temple to revise the Pali canon, one of the significant events in Theravada history, and Tilokarat's ashes are in a chedi in the grounds. The outer walls of the main structure carry stucco reliefs of seated and standing deva figures, weathered but substantially intact, and they are the reason to look closely - the modelling of the faces and jewellery is unusually fine and the figures are individually varied. The temple sits beside a busy road on the edge of the city, is free and unstaffed, and gets few visitors.
History
According to the Jinakalamali chronicle, King Tilokarat planted a bodhi tree here in 1455 and established a large sanctuary, probably for the celebration of 2,000 years of Buddhism; he is said to have sent monks to Bagan in Burma to study the Mahabodhi temple there, itself a copy of the temple at Bodh Gaya. The Eighth World Buddhist Council later met here to revise the Pali canon, and the largest chedi holds Tilokarat's ashes. A bodhi tree that grew on the roof was removed in 1910 so that it would not bring the structure down, and the faces of the 70 stucco deva figures on the façades are said to be modelled on the king's relatives (Wikipedia, Wat Chet Yot).
Highlights
- The seven spires - the Bodh Gaya-derived form built in 1455.
- The stucco devas - weathered but fine relief figures on the outer walls.
- Tilokarat's chedi - the king's ashes in the grounds.
- The council site - where the eighth Buddhist Council met in 1477.
When to go
November to February. Any time; it is rarely busy. An hour covers it, and it is close to the National Museum.
What to expect
Beside a busy superhighway with traffic noise. Free and unstaffed with minimal interpretation. The stucco is weathered and needs looking at closely. Little shade.
Nearby
The Chiang Mai National Museum is adjacent; the old city is south-east.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q2552284, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Wat Chet Yot
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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