WAT PHRATHAT DOI WAO SCORPION TEMPLE

Wat Phrathat Doi Wao is commonly known as the Scorpion Temple. It’s located on a hillside above the busy border town of Mae Sai in northern Chiang Rai Province, with commercial street markets below and sweeping views out towards Myanmar and the town of Tachileik.

The temple is regarded as one of the oldest religious sites in the region. According to local tradition, it was established to enshrine a sacred relic of the Buddha. The temple has been restored and expanded over the centuries, creating the varied collection of buildings, monuments and decorative sculptures. The more recent addition is the modern 150 metre glass skywalk extending along the hillside which gives you elevated views across Mae Sai and Myanmar. Sections of transparent flooring allow you to look down towards the slope below, but there are solid sections of the skywalk if the glass floor makes you uncomfortable. Visibility depends on seasonal haze and the weather conditions. December and January are ideal times of the year for the best views when its the dry season and farmland burn-off of rice stubble fields have not yet started.

The magnificent Jade Chedi sculpture on the skywalk is one of the temple’s most striking features. Best time to see it is in the middle of the day when it sparkles in the full sunlight.

The temple’s popular nickname comes from the giant golden scorpion statue overlooking the surrounding countryside. With its raised claws and curved tail, the unusual monument has become the best-known symbol of Wat Phrathat Doi Wao.

Wat Phrathat Doi Wao remains an active Buddhist temple rather than simply a tourist attraction. You should wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, speak quietly near prayer areas and remove shoes before entering sacred buildings. Photography is generally possible throughout the outdoor areas, but always look for signs and don't photograph monks or worshippers at close range. A small donation into one of the donation boxes for temple upkeep is always appreciated.

Allow at least three hours to explore the main temple grounds, admire the sculptures, visit the skywalk, take photos, spend some time at the local markets, and have an authentic Thai meal at local prices.

From the Mae Sai market area on the main road, you can reach the upper section of the temple by walking through one of the side street markets and then climbing the long steep staircase leading up the hillside. For a small fee, road access is also usually available from waiting vehicles at the base of the stairs. Often it is a quick motorcycle ride to the top.

The temple combines easily with Mae Sai Market, Doi Tung, the Golden Triangle and other attractions in northern Chiang Rai if you hire a private taxi or take a day tour. I don't recommend taking regular bus routes for self tours because you need to time visits well so you dont get stuck some-where without a ride back.

The border immigration checkpoint may possibly not be open, so visiting the local Myanmar town market of Tachileik would not be possible. You also need to ensure your Thai visa stay period will not be affected for the remainder of your vacation when returning back into Thailand. Land border crossings into Thailand usually only allow for 15 day stays.

Mae Sai border markets and Scorpion temple is around 60 kilometres north of Chiang Rai city and can be reached by private vehicle, organised tour or local bus transport. Mae Sai border markets are north of the actual Mae Sai township.

To get to Mae Sai border markets you could optionally take a bus from Chiang Rai bus station up highway 1 to the Mae Sai township bus station. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. From there, take a red songthaew to the border crossing where the markets and Scorpion Temple are located.