Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan

Before it became a temple the summit held only old brick ruins that villagers held sacred. Thai Post says a chedi was built on top in 1902 — today's white chedi with a golden umbrella spire, often described as over a century old. No legend explaining the name "Phra Chan" has been found.

In 1953 Phra Khru Panyawutthikhun (Luang Pho Panya Khantiyo), former abbot of Wat Nak Tha Luang, led monks and villagers up to restore the chedi and began the annual worship festival. At that time no monks lived on the hill and there were no other buildings.

Real development came under the current abbot, Phra Achan Phonchai Akkhawangso. Thai Post says he first surveyed the hill in 2008, finding the white chedi, a well and two small pavilions, and began building in 2009; TrueID says he moved from Nakhon Ratchasima and began restoring in 2012. Development therefore began sometime around 2008–2012.

The highlight is the Big Buddha "Daibutsu", a seated Amitabha in meditation modelled on the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in in Kamakura, Japan. It is 14 m across the lap, cast in copper that has weathered to a blue-green patina, faces out over the valley and is ringed by torii-style gates. No reliable figure for its total height has been found.

A Bangkok Airways blog says the Big Buddha was begun in 2019 and finished about three years later — the only dated source — and Daily News described it as complete in May 2023. Thai Post relates that its posture reflects the abbot's own meditation.

At the summit a small Lanna-style viharn with all-round views is reached by a naga staircase; inside is gilded decoration, and nearby is a white chedi encircled by a naga. There are also the Phra Chao Ton Luang image and the Phra Chulamani Si Phothiyan chedi.

The temple sells ceramic wishing bells made by a Lampang ceramics family under a Lampang Rajabhat University project; motifs signal the wish — roses for love, roosters for health, work and family, elephants for success. Thai Post reported in 2022 that COVID cut output by about a third.

In January 2023 two 2 m Phaya Purisat statues in front of the Phra Chulamani chedi, designed in a mix of styles, drew online criticism; the temple asked people to see them as art and kept them. In 2021 the temple was used for an advertising shoot, which raised its profile.

The annual Doi Phra Chan worship festival is held on the 8th waxing day of the northern seventh month, around May, with rocket offerings and contests — a tradition begun by Luang Pho Panya.

The sea of mist appears in the early morning; Thansettakij advises arriving before 07:00. The best chances are from the late rains through the cool season, roughly July to February, especially after overnight rain, but it is never guaranteed. Mornings are cool, so bring a layer.

The road up is steep and narrow with hairpins. The temple runs shuttles for 20 baht each way; vans and buses must park below and transfer, while cars can drive up to a smaller car park. Or climb about 600 steps. The temple opens at 06:00 and closes about 16:30–17:00; entry is free. There are few shops at the top, so bring water.