Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep travel guide

A Buddhist temple outside of Chiang Mai located on top of Mount Doi Suthep.

Wat Doi Suthep is situated amid stupendous scenery at a height of 1053m/3455ft beneath the summit of Mount Doi Pui (1685m/5528ft above sea level). From the car park (where the buses also stop) it is worth making a small diversion to the falls of
Nam Tok Huai Kaeo, which are surrounding by breathtaking scenery. At the point where the road to the temple steepens sharply, there is a monument to the monk Phra Si Wichai, who was instrumental in inspiring the construction of the first road to Wat Doi Suthep in 1934. He collected money for the purpose from the people of Chiang Mai, some of whom also helped with the actual building. The final stretch can be climbed on foot or travelled in comfort on a short funicular railway. The broad temple terrace itself is accessed via a giant stairway with 306 steps that is flanked by a balustrade made up of the undulating bodies of two seven-headed nagas. From the top there is a fantastic view of Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside.
The highlight of the complex is the shimmering gold
chedi, 20m/66ft high and crowned with a five-tiered roof. The chedi is covered with gilded and richly decorated copper plates. At the corners of the surrounding fence there are beautifully sculpted altars and four tall and graceful canopies of gilded copper.

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