Nestled in the forest above Chiang Mai lies the Buddhist temple and monastery of Wat Pha Lat, which translates to “Monastery at the Sloping Rock”. The most enjoyable way to get there is by an easy thirty-minute hike called the Monk’s Trail. The trail got its name from the orange cloth markers on the trees guiding the way. Wat Pha Lat was unlike any other temple we visited in Thailand. It is a very serene place with a stream cascading over rocks surrounded by beautiful sculptures hidden throughout the forest. It’s actually on the way up the mountain to the much more famous, and crowded, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and was used as a rest stop for monks. These days, you can drive to both places if you don’t want to hike, but definitely don’t leave Wat Pha Lat off your list if you’re in the area.
