Wat Ban Den
Wat Ban Den
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
Attractions
9 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
172 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
40
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
ngwilliam T
Malaysia60 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
An hour drive from Chiang Mai old city, it's a blue huge temples where u can worship, busy take pictures. Suggest go early morning to avoid crowd & hot temperature!
At 40 degrees!
At 40 degrees!
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty Kanyaporn
390 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Wat Ban Den boasts a vibrant and whimsical aesthetic. Think mosaic-covered structures, gleaming statues, and an overall sense of exuberance. It's often compared to Chiang Rai's Blue Temple, but with a unique twist.
History buffs will appreciate the temple's fascinating backstory. Founded in 1894 (originally named Wat Sahari Sribunrang), it was later renovated with a focus on the Thai zodiac. The complex features twelve stunning chedis (stupas) – one for each zodiac animal. According to local belief, a person's spirit resides in the chedi corresponding to their birth year.
While Wat Ban Den has gained popularity with tourists, it remains a place of worship for the local community. Be respectful of those in prayer, and remember to dress modestly.
History buffs will appreciate the temple's fascinating backstory. Founded in 1894 (originally named Wat Sahari Sribunrang), it was later renovated with a focus on the Thai zodiac. The complex features twelve stunning chedis (stupas) – one for each zodiac animal. According to local belief, a person's spirit resides in the chedi corresponding to their birth year.
While Wat Ban Den has gained popularity with tourists, it remains a place of worship for the local community. Be respectful of those in prayer, and remember to dress modestly.
Written 29 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolsies
Lafayette, IN669 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This was one of my favorite temples in Thailand. It’s very elaborate and colorful. We loved the gigantic Buddha and all of the ornate statutes. There were dragons, elephants, roosters, peacocks, etc. They were all so brightly colored that they sparkled. We were very surprised to find we didn’t need to pay an entry fee.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rbrech
Silver Spring, MD504 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
I'm pretty templed out by this point, but this Wat is something else. Huge series of buildings displaying terrific teak wood construction. I came in afternoon, in full sun , and had a hard time exploring the complex, but really enjoyed what I saw. Highly recommend.
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soko37
Budapest, Hungary13,121 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Big complex of temples and many tourists. It was hot 🥵 day, we are on the way from elephant 🐘 park and guide offer it as extra. Place is huge with many temples, in 30 degrees whole place was warm up like oven even higher as floor for area is made by stones.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael W
Hockenheim, Germany1,655 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Wat Ban Den is located around 50 km north of Chiang Mai and can be easily combined with a trip to Namtok Bua Tong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park (around 20 km from Wat Ban Den).
The Wat is one of the larger ones we have visited on our Thailand holidays and also one of the most beautiful with its numerous buildings and pagodas/chedis and blue roofs.
Due to its distance from Chiang Mai, the complex is not overrun with tourists and you can admire the beauty of the northern Thai architectural style in peace.
Recommended.
The Wat is one of the larger ones we have visited on our Thailand holidays and also one of the most beautiful with its numerous buildings and pagodas/chedis and blue roofs.
Due to its distance from Chiang Mai, the complex is not overrun with tourists and you can admire the beauty of the northern Thai architectural style in peace.
Recommended.
Written 24 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ketchuprequired
Calgary, Canada347 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
I will be a dissenter here. Yes, it is a large complex with many temple buildings and statues. But we thought the craftsmanship of the old temples in Chiang Mai with the carved wood and mosaic tiles were far superior - and the beautiful temples in Bangkok as well. This is modern and most of the statues are painted cement. It is garish and definitely a display of extreme wealth - the guide kept mentioning how many millions of dollars had been and continue to be donated to build this. We walked around for about 30 minutes and left. It is hot and there is no shade and it is all concrete.
We came here after the sticky waterfalls but we would just go back to Chiang Mai if doing this again.
We came here after the sticky waterfalls but we would just go back to Chiang Mai if doing this again.
Written 22 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IainNorthernIreland
Derry, UK557 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Wat Ban Den is a large and still-growing temple-monastery complex with a series of wihanrs (worship halls) and chedis (stupas) seemingly based on the Chinese zodiac. The buildings are impressive and the imagery is of high quality, there is a spiritual atmosphere in the wiharns. There is no real sense of history of heritage, however, this is a new complex with clear ambitions to attract visitors and tourists in large numbers, so if you want something of the Lanna temple heritage you need to look elsewhere in the area (there are plenty of opportunities for that).
Written 14 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJ lee
Bangkok, Thailand476 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Hidden gem! Peacefully quiet remote from busy city. Beautifully design like no any other temples. Eye opening !
Written 30 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M L S
St. Augustine, FL30 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
Visited a lot of Wats but this one was a really special surprise. The level of detail and ornamentation exceeded any of my experiences and yet the serenity inside each Wat is also exquisite to behold. Don't miss it if you at all can get there. One hour from Chiang Mai.
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were staying in Chiang Mai and had a driver take us. An interesting trip of just over an hour. Not sure if anything closer but I'm sure there are places.
Written 1 June 2017
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing