Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

5Krubee 5:00 PM Feb 4, 2020

The Most Beautiful Temple I've ever visited - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Thailand has many beautiful and unique temples but after visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep it changed everything. Located in Chiang Mai, a city of lovely temples on top of Doi Suthep mountain around 1073 meters high. We booked a private local bus for around 1000 baht that took us to Doi Suthep and 2 other beautiful attractions in Chiang Mai. It was worth it, we arrived at Doi Suthep after 30 mins from the Old city. Hiking and Cycling is another alternative. It was thought to have been built around the 14th century and the road towards it around 1935. The name itself is referring to the Buddha relic (Half of His shoulder bone) located on the Chedi in this temple. Once you reached the parking lot the 309 steps will greet you and can climb towards the temple grounds. Another option is to take tram. Ticket is around 50 Baht. The temple grounds observe strict dress code including removal of footwear. The Stupa is the Holiest part of the temple with Chatras (Umbrellas) surrounding it. There are plenty of tourists and locals in the temple so space is a bit tight but despite of this the temple remained very clean and well maintained. The temple is beautiful, artistically crafted and magnificent. Like other Thai temples Gold is the color of the Chedi, Chatra, Stupa and most Buddha statues. Smaller chapels and halls are located around the grounds. The chapels have Monks and temple visitors observing service and praying. Each faces of the Chedi contains different Buddha statues made of Gold and other types of stones. There are also some aspects of Hinduism in the temple with the example of Lord Ganesh's statue. A White Elephant is located at the entrance symbolising where it stopped on top of this mountain where this temple is now located. At the back of the temple there is an observation deck where you could have a panoramic view the city of Chiang Mai. We prayed and took lovely photos and videos at this charming temple. It was indeed an experience and one of the most beautiful temples I've been too and will definitely come back again. A visit in Chiang Mai is not complete without visiting its Holiest Shrine - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

5Abovetheclouds 5:00 PM Dec 25, 2021

Chiang Mai highlight
They say you haven't been to Chiang Mai if you don't come here! It was worth it. Stunning and well kept. Beautiful grounds with lovely views. Suggest coming early morning as it's really quiet and you can enjoy the beauty. The steps up with a mask on during the pandemic is a killer. I almost died! It's approximately three hundred steps. Going down was quick.