Wat Tham Pla (Fish Cave) Mae Sai
Discover a unique temple with playful monkeys, giant fish, and a mysterious cave shrine nestled in lush greenery.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Wat Tham Pla (Fish Cave) Mae Sai
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a unique temple with playful monkeys, giant fish, and a mysterious cave shrine nestled in lush greenery.
"Monkeys, multiple temples and caves. Background mountains were amazing."
🐒 Guard Your Snacks!
Monkeys are notorious for snatching food and drinks. Keep them secure or they might disappear!
🔦 Bring a Headlamp
The cave shrine is dark; a headlamp enhances exploration. Phone flashlights can be unreliable.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Fish Cave Temple
Main cave shrine
Explore a serene cave shrine with high ceilings, home to monkeys and bats. Bring a headlamp for a spookier adventure!
Macaque Encounters
Temple grounds
Observe and feed hundreds of wild macaques roaming freely. Purchase food on-site, but guard your snacks!
Giant Fish Ponds
Streams near temple entrance
Witness hundreds of giant fish in the flowing streams. You can buy food to feed them, a hit with families.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Monkey Mischief & Temple Treasures
Timing Your Visit for Tranquility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
chiang rai day tours.
🐒 Guard Your Snacks!
Monkeys are notorious for snatching food and drinks. Keep them secure or they might disappear!
🔦 Bring a Headlamp
The cave shrine is dark; a headlamp enhances exploration. Phone flashlights can be unreliable.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
There are stairs to climb and grounds to explore, so wear shoes suitable for walking.
💰 Feed the Fish
You can buy food on-site to feed the hundreds of giant fish in the streams.
Tips
from all over the internet
🐒 Guard Your Snacks!
Monkeys are notorious for snatching food and drinks. Keep them secure or they might disappear!
🔦 Bring a Headlamp
The cave shrine is dark; a headlamp enhances exploration. Phone flashlights can be unreliable.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
There are stairs to climb and grounds to explore, so wear shoes suitable for walking.
💰 Feed the Fish
You can buy food on-site to feed the hundreds of giant fish in the streams.
🚗 Day Trip Essential
Great stop on the way to Mae Sai market or the Golden Triangle if you have your own transport.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Wat Tham Pla offers a unique blend of natural wonders and spiritual sites, with its playful monkeys and giant fish being major highlights. While some find the grounds a bit run-down, the adventurous cave shrine and peaceful atmosphere provide a charming and memorable experience, especially for families. It's a refreshing stop away from larger crowds.
"Monkeys, multiple temples and caves. Background mountains were amazing. Old temple was beautiful. Stalls and drinks out front near parking. Monkeys will steal your drinks and food, so watch out. Clean toilet."
Zany
"Wat Tham Pla – The Fish Cave Temple
Wat Tham Pla is a charming and slightly quirky temple surrounded by lush greenery and flowing streams filled with hundreds of giant fish. Feeding them is part of the fun — you can buy fish food on-site — and it’s especially popular with families. The temple grounds also have a peaceful cave shrine, as well as statues and stairways leading up the hillside if you’re up for a short climb.
The atmosphere is calm and refreshing, with monkeys occasionally roaming the area (fun to see, but keep an eye on your belongings!). It’s not as grand as Chiang Rai’s more famous temples, but it has a unique charm and makes for a relaxing stop, especially if you enjoy nature."
Omer Herrera
"Monkey Temple and Fish Cave quite interesting place to visit.
We did a quick visit on the way to The Golden Triangle. Lots of monkeys big and small running and swing round the trees ."
Ping
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Wat Tham Pla is best reached with your own transportation, making it a convenient stop on a day trip towards Mae Sai or the Golden Triangle. Public transport options are limited, so renting a car or hiring a driver is recommended for ease of access.
Yes, Wat Tham Pla is often included in day tours from Chiang Rai that also visit Mae Sai and potentially the Golden Triangle, offering a diverse itinerary.
Having your own transportation, like a rented car or motorbike, offers the most flexibility to explore Wat Tham Pla and surrounding areas at your own pace.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While the temple grounds are generally accessible, there might be small fees for specific activities like feeding the monkeys or fish. It's advisable to carry some small change.
The temple is typically open during daylight hours, but it's best to visit earlier in the day to enjoy the atmosphere and avoid the peak heat. Specific hours can vary.
Yes, you can purchase food on-site to feed the monkeys. However, be very cautious and keep your belongings secure as they are known to be opportunistic.
No, advance booking is generally not required for Wat Tham Pla as it's a natural attraction and temple complex, not a ticketed event.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Wat Tham Pla features a unique cave shrine, streams filled with giant fish you can feed, and numerous wild macaques roaming the grounds. There are also stairs leading to a lookout point.
Yes, Wat Tham Pla is known for its large population of wild macaques that inhabit the temple grounds and surrounding trees.
Absolutely! Families often enjoy feeding the fish and observing the monkeys. The cave shrine and short climb also add to the adventure.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to the stairs and uneven terrain. Modest attire is appropriate for visiting a temple.
As it is a Buddhist temple, it's respectful to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique cave shrine, the hundreds of giant fish in the streams, and the playful macaques. The natural mountain backdrop also offers scenic shots.
Yes, you can take photos inside the cave, but it can be quite dark. Bringing a headlamp or using a camera with good low-light capabilities is advised.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Exploring the cave shrine can add an element of adventure, and there are stairs leading up to a lookout point that older children might enjoy climbing. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and less crowded than major tourist hubs, making it a more manageable experience for families.
🚗 Day-Trippers & Road Explorers
Its location makes it a perfect addition to a broader itinerary, allowing you to experience local culture, wildlife, and a bit of adventure without requiring a dedicated full day. Remember to factor in time for the monkey interactions and the cave exploration.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Monkeys and Caves
The cave shrine itself is a highlight, described as having high ceilings and opening up to the jungle. Inside, you might encounter bats alongside the monkeys, adding to the unique atmosphere. While the grounds might appear a bit run-down to some, the natural elements and the adventurous feel of the caves make up for it.
The Charm of the Fish and Temple
The temple complex itself offers a peaceful atmosphere with decorative Buddhist elements and a cave shrine. While it may not be as grand as some of Chiang Rai's more famous temples, its unique character and natural setting provide a relaxing and refreshing stop. The surrounding mountains also offer a beautiful natural backdrop to the site.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit