High in the mountains of Lampang rises Wat Phra Bat Sutthawat, a mountaintop sanctuary often called the “Sky Pagoda.” Even before the climb begins, visitors are met with a small puzzle of names. The site is known as Wat Phra Phutthabat Pu Pha Daeng, Wat Doi Pu Yak, and more formally as Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn. Because “Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat” is a royal honorific shared by many temples across Thailand, searches can easily go astray unless “Phrachomklao Rachanusorn” or “Lampang” is specified. Locals and guides therefore continue to use the traditional name, which remains the clearest and most practical reference.

The temple sits on Doi Pu Yak mountain, where a series of white, bell-shaped stupas cascade down narrow limestone pinnacles at about 815 meters above sea level. Often described as floating, these pristine structures create a surreal Buddhist landscape suspended between rock and sky. Accounts differ on their exact number, some mention more than ten, others refer to seven principal stupas, but together they form a striking tribute to the Thai monarchy. Their appearance is all the more remarkable knowing they were built through immense local effort by a monk and about fifty devotees who carried construction materials up the mountain by hand.

Reaching the summit has been the most physically demanding part of the trip. From the parking area, a songthaew makes a steep 10–15 minute climb to the trailhead. The hike then unfolds in stages: a brief 300-meter level walk eases visitors in before giving way to a 540-meter ascent up hundreds of stair steps. Rest points along the route allow pauses without breaking the rhythm, and the entire climb takes about 30 minutes, demanding effort but remaining achievable at a steady pace.

The reward at the top makes the challenge worthwhile. A Sacred Shrine of Wishes offers a quiet space for reflection, while the viewing platforms reveal sweeping panoramas of Lampang’s mountains and valleys. Against open sky or drifting mist, the white pagodas create a striking, almost unreal scene that feels earned after the long climb. What remains is not just the memory of a beautiful viewpoint, but the satisfaction of having overcome the hardest ascent of the journey to reach one of northern Thailand’s most remarkable temples.