Wat Phra Bat Ming Mueang Worawihan

Wat Phra Bat Ming Mueang Worawihan is a first-class royal temple (Worawihan) in central Phrae town, Nai Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Phrae District. It was formed by the merger of Wat Phra Bat and Wat Ming Mueang and houses a revered Buddha footprint replica. The temple is notable for its Lanna and contemporary Thai architecture, gilded chedi, and as the location of the Phrae City Pillar shrine, making it a central religious landmark of Phrae Province.

Visitors can expect a compact, active temple compound in the town centre with a main viharn housing the Buddha footprint, a prominent chedi (Phra That Ming Mueang), an ubosot, and the Phrae City Pillar shrine within the grounds. The setting is paved and landscaped with mature trees, Buddha images, murals and decorative Lanna motifs. Areas open to visitors include the main prayer halls, courtyard and shrine buildings for sightseeing, photography and merit-making.

The temple originated from the combination of two older temples, Wat Phra Bat and Wat Ming Mueang. Wat Phra Bat enshrined a Buddha footprint replica, while Wat Ming Mueang was associated with the town's foundation. The combined temple was later elevated to Worawihan (royal temple) status. The chedi Phra That Ming Mueang and the enshrined Buddha footprint have long been venerated as sacred objects of Phrae town.

The temple is the most important Buddhist religious site in Phrae town and houses the Phrae City Pillar, regarded as the spiritual centre of the city. It serves as a venue for major Buddhist festivals, merit-making and daily worship for local residents and is a respected pilgrimage site for visitors paying respect to the Buddha footprint and city pillar.