Doi Suthep: The Shiniest Golden Temple
Doi Suthep Temple regroupes all superlatives in one place: it is the most famous and the most sacred holy Buddhist site in the whole Thailand. People come here in pilgrimage bringing lotus flowers, candles and incense offerings to Buddha. This Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple shines bright from the heights of the Doi Suthep mountain at 1,060 meters in the middle on the National Park and offers a stunning view over Chiang Mai. Inside a big Buddha statue and meditating monks invite people to remove their shoes and pray seated in silence. Remember to wear light trousers and long sleeved shirts or other respectful clothing when entering the temple or you won’t be admitted.
The legends says that in 1386 the construction of the temple began and the temple was conceived to enshrine a piece of bone from the Buddha’s shoulder. One of those bones was mounted on a sacred white elephant (an important sacred symbol in Thailand) who then climbed Doi Suthep mountain and stopped near the peak. The elephant laid down after trumpeting three times and slowly passed away in the jungle. That spot is where Doi Suthep’s temple was founded.
Once you’re up the mountain, a large choice of souvenir and snack stalls will give you the chance to quickly eat and recharge your battery before climbing the 306-step staircase (or take the funicular). The staircase is flanked by beautiful jeweled naga (ornate serpents) and the majestic staircase is a great spot to take pictures while walking.
The terrace at the top of the steps is where you’ll find a statue of the white elephant that according to the legend carried the Buddha relic to the temple grounds. In the inner terrace of the temple there is a walkway around the golden Chedi (shrine) protecting the relic. The golden- plated central monument mesures 27 metres and people come to pray and walk around it singing together at 6 pm everyday. It is a great experience not to be missed! The gardens offer a great location for quiet contemplation, meditation and or just for taking great pictures.
Many visitors don’t realize that Doi Suthep is part of the Doi Suthep National Park laying on a surface of 261 square kilometres. Mixed deciduous and pine forest and green hills are home to over 300 bird species and thousands fern and flowering plants that thrive there. Nearby is situated the royal family palace for holidays, the Phra Tamnak Phu Phing, and it is often included organised tours to Doi Suthep, along with a visit to a local Hmong hill-tribe village. The temple is also a renowned meditation center surrounded by lush gardens and decorations where both locals and tourists can practise this discipline.
The terrace at the top of the steps is where you’ll find a statue of the white elephant that (as legend has it) carried the Buddha relic to its resting place on the temple grounds. This is also where you’ll find various other shrines and monuments to explore. The temple is split into outer and inner terraces and steps lead to the inner terrace where there is a walkway around the golden Chedi (shrine) enshrining the relic. The grounds are lush and peaceful and there are many spots for good pictures or simply quiet contemplation.
Huay Kaew Waterfall: a nice spot for picnics and relax
On the way back our visit to the temple we asked to be dropped near Chiang Mai Zoo, where a path well indicated leads in ten minutes to the entrance of the park and to the waterfall. It is a calm and pleasant place where you will hear birds singing and see butterflies flying all around you. We noticed many families enjoying the beauty of nature or paddling in the water. Bring proper shoes as the ground can be wet and slippery.
The funniest and most inexpensive way to reach the park by songthaewa, an unmistakable shared red truck bringing maximum ten people in a row and costing only 30 Baht/way/person. You will make new friends and laugh all the way to the top of the mountains (30 minutes of hairpins bends) at the reckless driving style of locals. You can also take a private taxi, join an organised tour if you prefer or hike all the way to the top following the “Nature Trail” indications via Suthep Road, starting past Chiang Mai University. No matter which option you choose, the views from the temple and the beauty of the surrounding area make for a worthwhile day trip from the city.
