Saturday 10 January 2026
The “White Castle” temple in the Hang Dong District of Chiang Mai

Thailand has 77 provinces. Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand is relatively large, and includes 25 districts. The Hang Dong District of Chiang Mai province is a large, rural district south and west of Chiang Mai city (although there are other larger districts). Here is a map of the districts of Chiang Mai Province. Number 1, “Mueang” is the city of Chiang Mai itself. Number 15 is the Hang Dong district.

Chiang Rai Famous White Temple and Blue Temple

When people hear of or discuss the “White Temple” in Thailand, they are usually referring to the White Temple in Chiang Rai (north of Chiang Mai). Chiang Rai is now known for two famous temples, the White Temple and the Blue Temple. The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, was recently built and opened to the public in 1997. It gets its nickname from the all-white exterior embedded with mirrored glass and white plaster, creating a reflective effect in sunlight. The Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten, is a rebuilt temple on the site of an old temple. The rebuilding of Wat Rong Suea Ten was started in 1996, then again in 2005, and finally opened to the public in 2016. And while these famous temples are of some interest, I have no plans to go to Chiang Rai, at least not today.

Chiang Mai White Castle Temple

Chiang Mai has its own “White Temple” or more commonly known as the White Castle Temple to distinguish it from the White Temple in Chiang Rai. While not yet as famous as the two temples in Chiang Rai, the White Castle Temple is becoming more and more known. Wat Phra That Sri Mueang Pong is a serene, newly built temple with a large white structure high on a hilltop enclosing a gold chedi. I could find no reference to the actual date of construction or its opening, just “newly built.” It is known locally as Loha Prasat Sri Mueang Pong, meaning “Metal Castle of the Royal City.” And, while the temple is relatively new, it is said to hold deep spiritual significance to locals, and is becoming a popular destination for photography, quiet reflection, and cultural immersion. Knowing all of this, I wanted to see this White Castle Temple.

I met a lady who lives in the Hang Dong district, drives a taxi part time, and hired her to take me to the White Castle Temple, about 15-18 kilometers from the middle of the Chiang Mai old city where I stay-too far to walk. We set out on a Saturday and once out of the main city of Chiang Mai, we were on a very rural, twisty, and narrow road.

Once we arrived at the temple grounds and parked, we first explored the parts of the temple at the base of the hill, the viharn (assembly or worship hall) and ubosot (ordination hall). Here is a view of the entrance to the temple grounds.

Once inside the actual temple grounds, I saw the viharn. A nice, modest viharn, in the Lanna style with the Naga serpents at the entrance.

The inside is nice, fairly modest compared to some more elaborate worship halls. I took a photo on the inside and also a photo of myself.

While walking to the ubosot, I was compelled to take a photo of a large tree on the grounds. Some of the large trees I see are beautiful and magnificent.

Then I got to the ubosot, also fairly modest, nice, and not particularly grand. Here is a photo of the front and another of the inside.

We were ready to go to the top to see the White Castle part of the temple. There are two ways up to the top of the hill. There is a stairway of over 1000 steps and today, I was not up to climbing 1000 steps. Private vehicles are not allowed up to the top, so they have trucks to take you for 40 baht each person (about $1.35).

We got out of the truck at the drop-off point and then walked farther uphill to the actual entrance.

The anticipation built, and then we saw it – the actual White Castle Temple structure.

To the left was an interesting pavilion. I thought this statue of what appears to be an old wise man was interesting. I do not know its significance, but I like the statue.

And beside the pavilion on part of the hillside, there was this stone carving. I also do not know the significance, but I like the carving.

And then there is the White Castle again. Stunning, dramatic, beautiful in the sunlight.

There are a few entrances to the structure. I took this side entrance and set about exploring around the structure before entering.

Once inside the fenced area around the White Castle structure, I saw this rather nice thewada guarding the entrance (there is a pair of these guarding every entrance).

At what I am calling the back is a stairway guarded by Naga serpents. Here is a view of the top of the stairway and the last part of the Naga stairway.

These stairs go down to a landing from which the 1000 step stairway can be seen. It is a little difficult to see in the shadows of the trees, but the stairway is there. Someday, I would like to climb those 1000 stairs.

At the top of the Naga stairway, near an entrance to the structure is this interesting silver bird. I do not know its significance, but I liked it so I took a photo.

I entered the structure not really knowing what was inside. I expected this to be a worship hall, but it is an structure enclosing a large elaborate gold chedi (pagoda). Here is a photo of me in front of the chedi inside the White Castle structure.

As we were leaving, I got a last photo of me with the large White Castle structure behind me.

We walked down to the truck which took us down to the parking area, then headed through the narrow, twisty forest road back into Chiang Mai. It is a shame the White Castle Temple is not more easily accessible from Chiang Mai-many people would enjoy seeing this temple. I also wish I could find more about the significance of the temple. Hopefully more will be written and shared. All in all, a nice adventure in Chiang Mai.

Next: Temples, temples, temples.