Wat Ton Kwen: Chiang Mai’s Photogenic Lanna Temple
Wat Ton Kwen, otherwise known as Wat Intharawat, is one of the best alternative temples you can visit in Chiang Mai. It became an overnight sensation after featuring in the hit drama series Klin Kasalong, and has been a popular photoshoot destination with Thais ever since. The reasons for this are obvious when you see it yourself: beautifully preserved wooden details and carvings, and Lanna lanterns hanging from the slanted roofs.
Unlike other temples in Chiang Mai that have been heavily renovated or covered in gold, Wat Ton Kwen has managed to retain its timber charm. The wooden pavilion and assembly hall have a weathered quality to them which - when paired with the sand courtyard and surrounding trees - gives the whole place a relaxing atmosphere. Even if you choose not to have a photoshoot, you’ll still get to enjoy the peaceful temple grounds.
Wat Ton Kwen
Wat Ton Kwen
What to See at Wat Ton Kwen
Wat Ton Kwen was constructed circa 1852 under the reign of King Kawilorot Suriyawong. Its purpose was to provide a resting place for kings and monks as they carried Buddha relics into the ancient Kingdom. The architecture is quintessentially Lanna in style, built using local materials and woodcarving techniques, and following a design that perfectly blends in with the northern region of Thailand. Here are the top things to see:
The Wihan (Assembly Hall)
The biggest structure at Wat Ton Kwen is the assembly hall or “Wihan”. From the outside, you’ll notice the steeply pitched roofs and a gorgeous mix of dark teakwood and earthy, cream colored walls. The inside is then characterized by dark red pillars and a small Buddha statue resting at the back. At some point, your photographer will lead you to the entrance where you’ll pose in front of the orange brick stairs and Naga serpents.
The Wihan (Assembly Hall)
Naga serpents
The Chaturamuk Pavilion
Another wonderful place to explore at Wat Ton Kwen is the pavilion: an open-air structure famous for its four-sided porch (the last of its kind in Northern Thailand). Walking across the bamboo mats, you’ll find small offering altars and endless white Lanna lanterns dangling down. Again, your photographer will help you pose in front of the altars - with baskets and flowers - and capture unique perspectives of the light seeping in.
The Chaturamuk Pavilion
The Chaturamuk Pavilion
The Sala Bat (U-Shaped Cloister)
The Sala Bat (cloister) wraps around the assembly hall in a “U-shape”, acting as a sheltered walkway for visitors to wander around. However, there’s not a lot to see here apart from the lanterns and rows of white pillars. The Sala Bat, in combination with the other two structures mentioned above, forms the entire layout of Wat Ton Kwen. It’s not the largest temple complex in Thailand, but the traditional Lanna architecture and intimate vibe make it well worth adding to your Chiang Mai itinerary.
The Sala Bat
The Sala Bat
Traditional Dress & Photoshoot Experience
Is it Worth Dressing Up for a Photoshoot?
Dressing up for a photoshoot is something we normally wouldn’t do in Thailand. It can feel tacky and touristy at times, especially at places like Wat Pho in Bangkok. The experience at Wat Ton Kwen, however, is different. For starters, you won’t be surrounded by a sea of tourists. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves, apart from a few other locals who joined us. Secondly, the temple grounds are incredibly photogenic. The rustic wooden structures and Lanna lanterns create a very cool aesthetic.
Admittedly, some of the photos are a bit staged - like pretending to hang a lantern, smelling flowers or pointing in the distance. Still, it’s good fun and something the entire family can enjoy. We went with our friends who have a 3-year-old daughter and she loved dressing up. We even pulled a prank on our families back home, sending them photos of us “getting married” at the temple. Of course, we will invite them when this day inevitably comes.
Lanna lanterns
“Getting married” at Won Ton Kwen
How to Rent a Traditional Lanna Dress
Across the road from the temple entrance, you’ll find a small collection of shops offering traditional Lanna clothes for hire. It costs between 150-300 THB per person and includes everything from pants, shirts, coats and hats for men to sarongs, tops, scarves, and jewellery for women. The staff help you decide on matching colors, dress you up nice and snug, and make sure you’re all looking the part. We recommend using their flip-flops as well, which are easy to slip off when entering the historic wooden buildings.
Traditional Lanna dress
How to Book a Photoshoot at Wat Ton Kwen
There are usually photographers hanging outside the shops or already inside the temple gates, so ask around to see what options are available. To be safe though, you could always book online in advance through Airbnb Experiences: Chiang Mai Chic Photos by Birdy & Friends. From memory, we paid about 1,000 THB as a couple and left with over 150 professional photos - way better than what we would’ve captured on our iPhones.
The local photographer will guide you through the temple and suggest a variety of poses at different spots. Just go with the flow and you’ll end up with some amazing mementos to take back home. A couple of things to keep in mind: bring sunglasses because some of the photo-ops are hard to achieve with the sun shining directly in your eyes, and for the ladies you can hire an umbrella which works as both an accessory and as shade.
Photoshoot at Wat Ton Kwen
Wat Ton Kwen Visitor Information
Entrance: Free
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Best Time to Visit: We arrived at around 10:00 AM and kicked off our photoshoot shortly after. By lunchtime, a few more people started trickling in but it didn’t feel crowded. We suggest coming at 9:00 AM.
How to Get There: Wat Ton Kwen is located south of the Old City in the district of Hang Dong. It takes about 25 minutes to get there via taxi or Grab, or 30 minutes on your own scooter or motorbike.
Dress Code: Both men and women must cover their shoulders and knees. Wearing the traditional Lanna clothes should comply with the dress code. For some of the photos, women might lower their shoulder scarf but doing so briefly shouldn’t cause any issues.
Final Thoughts on Wat Ton Kwen
As good as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep are in Chiang Mai, you can’t beat Wat Ton Kwen if you’re looking for a quieter temple experience. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a photoshoot as a couple, family or even as a group of friends. And if you’re heading down this way, why not check out the epic mountain temple nearby (Wat Phra That Doi Kham) or the royal pavilion modeled after Wat Ton Kwen (Royal Park Rajapruek).
