temples & architecture
Wat Jet Yod, the Temple of Seven Spires
Jun
Wat Jet Yod, the Temple of Seven Spires
Wat Jet Yod (วัดเจ็ดยอด), located on Jet Yod Road in central Chiang Rai, is a beautiful Buddhist temple known for its unique architecture. The name “Jet Yod” translates to “Seven Spires” in Thai, referring to the seven pagodas of the temple. Chiang Mai has a very different temple of the same name, so don’t confuse them. What is also a bit confusing is the transcription from Thai to English. You will find the name of the temple spelt in different ways: Wat Chet Yot, Wat Jet Yot or Wat Jed Yod. I have used the most common name.
Wat Jet Yod has a very large compound with many buildings. It probably is the largest temple compound in Chiang Rai. There are at least ten monks and novices living in the temple so it is great place to meet a monk.
A short history of the temple of the Seven Spires
There is little information about the early history of this temple. According to information at the temple Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai dates to 1844 (2387). A monk called Phra Kruba Kantha Khanta Wungso might be the founder of the temple. According to a legend the monk discovered the ruins of seven pagodas at this location but decided to build one temple, named after these seven pagodas.
A ruined pagoda
In 1944 the temple became an official temple after the rite of Wisungkhamasima. Finally, the temple became a Royal Temple of the third grade in 1978. A little bit down the street there is a small ruin which looks like the base of a pagoda. It seems to have been part of Wat Jet Yod but looks very old. I have not been able to find more information. It appears on Google Maps as “Unname Chedi”. It might be one of the seven chedis the monk found in the area. Recently they constructed a fence and a gate to be able to close the location. When I last visited in June 2025 the gate was not locked.
The Assembly Hall of Wat Jet Yod
The assembly hall of the temple houses a large, gilded seated Buddha statue, surrounded by murals and ornate decorations in red and silver. Visitors enter through a richly decorated veranda adorned with floral motifs and a unique Thai astrological fresco on the wooden ceiling. The entrance is flanked by two gilded Naga serpents.
There are boundary markers (bai sema) around the assembly hall. Usually you will find these around the ordination hall of a temple, a consecrated space reserved for sacred monastic ceremonies. This might mean that the assembly hall of the temple also functions as the ordination hall. I have not found an ordination hall at the temple.
Why you should visit this temple?
Nowadays most tourists of Chiang Rai only visit the White, Blue and Red temples and overlook a very special and historic temple such as Wat Jet Yod. What makes this temple specifically interesting is the building behind the assembly hall. On its roof are the seven pagodas. On the ground floor is an altar with a sitting and declining Buddha image.
Two narrow staircases, left and right, give access to the roof. Women are not allowed to go up to the roof. If you are taller than 170 centimeters and have a bulky physique the staircase might be a bit uncomfortable.
On the roof you will find one big chedi, surrounded by six smaller ones. They offer a nice view and are illuminated after dark. I recommend visiting this temple during day time but also after dark. It has a very mystic atmosphere and makes for great pictures in the evening.
Some facts about the temple of seven spires
There is no entrance fee to the temple. According to online information the temple is open every day from 0600 until 1800 but I have visited the temple many times after dark. Both the assembly hall and the staircase to the pagodas were open at least until 2000.
Wat Jet Yod is on Jet Yod road, a short walk from the Night Bazar and the Clock Tower. Despite its accessibility you will meet very few tourists at this remarkable temple. The striking illumination of the assembly hall with its massive gilded Buddha statue after dark, which is very conspicuous from the road, attracts quite a few people.
In the evening I have never seen other people go up the staircase to the seven chedis though. I hope more people will appreciate Chiang Rai’s fantastic historical temples that are overshadowed by the, in my opinion, over-hyped color temples. I love these as well, by the way…
This article is based on:
Information at the temple
Wikipedia pages in English and Thai
