Wat Phra That Sop Waen

Wat Phra That Sop Waen is a historic Buddhist temple in Huai Lan Subdistrict, Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province, northern Thailand. Located on a low hill near the confluence of the Waen and Lao rivers, it is known for its ancient Lanna-style chedi enshrining Buddha relics, Tai Lue cultural influences, and panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The temple remains an active religious site and a notable cultural landmark of the Chiang Kham area.

Visitors can expect a quiet hillside temple compound with an ancient whitewashed Lanna-style chedi as the central structure, surrounded by a viharn, smaller shrines, and mature trees. The grounds offer open views of rice fields and villages below. The atmosphere is peaceful and active for local worship, with opportunities to observe traditional architecture, Buddha images, and Tai Lue cultural elements. Access involves a short stairway to the hilltop terrace.

Wat Phra That Sop Waen is an ancient temple believed to date to the Lanna period, built to enshrine Buddha relics at the confluence of the Waen River. The chedi shows classic Lanna architectural style and has undergone several restorations by the local community. It reflects the historical settlement of Tai Lue people in the Chiang Kham area and remains one of the district's oldest religious landmarks.

The temple is a revered Buddhist relic shrine for the local Tai Lue and northern Thai community. It serves as an active centre for merit-making, religious festivals, and traditional ceremonies, representing the blend of Lanna and Tai Lue Buddhist heritage that characterizes Chiang Kham District.