Wat Doi Suthep

Wat Doi Suthep is an essential tour stop for all visitors to Chiang Mai. It is one of the most popular temples in Chiang Mai. The destination for many Buddhist worshipers from all over Asia. There is a local saying that goes, "If you have not tasted Kao Soi or visited Wat Doi Suthep, then you have not been to Chiang Mai."

It is a toss up between a Chiang Mai elephant ride and a visit to Wat Doi Suthep as to which is the most popular tourist attraction in Chiang Mai. After you book your tour of a Chiang Mai elephant camp, find a Chiang Mai songthaew and ride up the mountain with your family to enjoy the beauty of the temple and the bird's eye view of Chiang Mai city. Songthaews, or taxis, that go up the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep can be hired on Huay Gaew Road near the Chiang Mai zoo.

The stairs from the road to the main entrance of Wat Doi Suthep may be rather challenging on a hot humid day. It is usually best to tour the temple during the morning hours. If you visit Thailand during the cooler time of year, November to February, the afternoon temperatures will not be as brutal and a climb up the stairs is much more enjoyable. We have been to Wat Doi Suthep several times. When they were younger, my children liked to count the number of steps up the staircase. One time we counted 309 steps. I don't know the official number of steps, but that's not as important as making it to the top to see the temple.

If you do end up visiting Wat Doi Suthep during a hot part of the day, don't worry, there is an inclined railway, or cable car, which will take you to the top. But give the steps a try first, you may be surprised how easy it is to reach the top while your children are counting the number of steps of the staircase. The railway is visible from the main parking area and costs 20 baht per person.

The legend of the temple claims that some holy relics were placed on the back of a white elephant and the beast headed up the mountain. Before reaching the very top, the animal laid down and died. A chedi was built to house the relics and eventually a temple was built on the site.

You must remove your shoes before you enter the main temple area. Persons with shorts or a skirt above their knees will also need to borrow or rent a piece of cloth to wrap around your waist that goes below the knees. It is very disrespectful to enter the inner temple area without proper attire.

Before going back down the long flight of stairs or descending on the railway from Wat Doi Suthep, be sure to check out the view from the outer courtyard. The complex overlooks Chiang Mai city. The view is breathtaking when the weather is clear. Unfortunately, hazy days seem more common than clear ones.

Entrance to Wat Doi Suthep costs 30 baht for persons over ten years old.

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