Temple of the floating Pagodas
Lampang Province
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Prachomklao Rachanusorn, or Temple of the Floating Pagodas, is located on the hill, Doi Pu Yak, in Lampang Province. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Chiang Mai. It was only completed in 2004 when a monk led a team of 46 workers carrying cement and bricks back and forth – for two years apparently! You drive up to the registration centre, then park and take a baht-bus shuttle up to the top. The trip is rapid and steep but not alarmingly so. You are then left with about a thirty-minute walk to the top. There are stairs all the way, along with handrails, but it is steep enough to leave you with a saturated shirt. The experience is worth it of course.
