Visiting the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Wora Wihan is a Thai Buddhist temple sitting just outside the city of Chiang Mai. From the grounds, you get a sweeping view over the city sitting 13 kilometers away.
History
Its origins are shrouded in mystery with several legends surrounding the creation of this sacred site. The legend of the white elephant is the most popular choice as it captures the classic storytelling of Buddhist lore.
The legend of the white elephant
The monk Sumanathera was visited in a dream by a deity who instructed him to retrieve a relic in Pang Cha. Upon arrival, he found a bone believed to be part of the shoulder of Buddha. This relic held extraordinary powers, moving, glowing, multiplying, and even vanishing at will. The monk decided to present it to the King of Sukhothai, but the relic remained completely inactive in front of the monarch. The king lost interest and left it with the monk. However, Nu Naone, the King of Lanna, heard about it and had the relic brought to his kingdom, where it promptly split in two. One half was enshrined in the Suandok temple while the other was placed on the back of a white elephant released into the jungle. The elephant climbed Doi Suthep (Suthep Mountain), trumpeted three times, and died. Interpreting this as a divine sign, King Nu Naone ordered a temple built where the animal passed away.
The temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Visitors had to wait until 1935 for a proper road to be built leading up to the temple. The complex features a blend of Buddhist and Hindu elements, housing a replica of the Emerald Buddha alongside a statue of the deity Ganesh.
Make sure to climb the 306 steps leading up to this iconic temple.
Opening hours
| Monday | 08:00-16:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Thursday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Friday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Saturday | 08:00-16:30 |
| Sunday | 08:00-16:30 |
*Information subject to change
I went up to the Doi Suthep temple, perched on the hill above Chiang Mai. You have to climb a staircase of several hundred steps lined with two golden dragons to get to the top (or take the funicular if your legs are tired). Once up there, the golden stupa in the center is impressive, and the view over the entire city of Chiang Mai down below is clearly worth the climb. Lots of people there, especially late in the day, but the vibe stays chill and you can feel it is a real place of worship, not just a tourist trap. One of the best viewpoints in the area.