Thailand
Perched beautifully on a mountain, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most well-known places of worship in Chiang Mai.
Despite its ambition to become a "new city," Chiang Mai retains a multitude of old temples typical of northern Thailand. Located about fifteen kilometers from downtown, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep invites visitors to a devout meditation in an atmosphere imbued with silence and mysticism, where every stone, statue, and step reveals an aspect of Buddhism. If you're not in the mood for meditation, there are other compelling reasons to visit the sanctuary. Its elevated location—1,073 meters—makes it a playground for hikers and rock climbers; the Doi Suthep mountain holds sacred significance in the minds of Thais; and the temple itself is an integral part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a must-visit in Chiang Mai. Art enthusiasts will be delighted by this journey.
Historical Notes
The sanctuary's origin is steeped in legend. A Lanna king named Nu Naone ordered its construction in 1383. He relied on the faith of an omen to determine the location. A Buddhist monk from Sukhothai brought him a relic, a piece of Buddha's clavicle or shoulder blade. Sumanathera—this was the monk's name—first informed the Sukhothai sovereign of his find, but the latter, unconvinced of the bone's attribution to Buddha, gave it no credit. However, Nu Naone was more disposed to listen to his words. He released his white elephant, placed the relic on its back, and sent it wandering through the forest. The elephant stopped at Doi Suthep Mountain, where it fell into a deep slumber and died. The king considered the beast's death at this precise location to be the will of Buddha. Without delay, a Buddhist temple was erected on the mountain.
Today
If there's one Buddhist monument visitors shouldn't miss during a stay in Chiang Mai, it's Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. Locals simply call it "Doi Suthep Temple," after the mountain range in which it is beautifully suspended. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast or a true connoisseur, visiting the monastery will not disappoint you. With its chedis resembling bell towers, statues, tree-planted gardens, and characteristic roofed chapels, the monastery is a faithful example of Lanna art.
Visiting Wat Prathat Doi Suthep
The site boasts a number of attractions. Besides the pleasure of feeling the fresh air on your face and seeing mountainous landscapes, the monastery itself is magnificent, both from the facade and within its walls.
Outside
The file of nagas
A long staircase leads to the temple entrance gate. Multi-headed nagas stand aligned at each end of the steps. They refer to serpent-like creatures, possessors of magical powers, who jealously guard the entrances to pagodas. Before you stretch the longest alley of nagas in the entire Land of Smiles.
The white elephant statue
Once through the gate, the first thing that catches the eye is the White Elephant memorial, whose wanderings determined the location of the complex.
The 24-meter chedi
Occupying the northern part of the temple, an august golden chedi stands 24 meters tall. All visitors agree: it's the most beautiful attraction at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. The base is octagonal in shape, with tiered roofs that culminate in a pointed spire adorned with blazing gold. It epitomizes Northern style. While Lanna art predominates, the chedi's design harmoniously combines Thai, Burmese, and Sukhothai styles. For instance, the umbrella-shaped chatra is inherited from Burmese invaders. The tiered, sloping roof is a hallmark of Theravada Buddhism. The concentric layers recall the spiritual states that the Buddhist must ascend to merit his removal to Nirvana. The roof's slope is also rich in symbolism: it represents disinterest in earthly goods, which are transient and perishable, and the lightness of the soul, ambitious to taste peace and supreme bliss.
The distinctive roof design is repeated on the viharns and surrounding pavilions.
Inside
Wall frescoes
The artistic heritage is invaluable. The walls depict important episodes from Buddha's life and his travels when he went out to preach his doctrine. In some places, the subjects of the paintings relate to Hinduism. Apart from wall frescoes, Buddha statues of all sizes are on display, fashioned from various materials and representing different artistic movements.
A replica of the Emerald Buddha
Inside the temple, you'll discover a fine imitation of the Emerald Buddha, with the original statue preserved at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok.
A Ganesh
The presence of a statue of Ganesh, the Hindu god of intelligence, in this Buddhist place of worship is surprising. The presence of this elephant-headed statue betrays the religious syncretism that was the norm in Thailand in a distant era.
Meditation classes
The site is not only a place of prayer. It has opened a center dedicated to meditation, where the public can learn and practice this discipline. Meditation lightens the mind, removes negative tensions, and helps regain joy and a taste for life.
Practical Information
Opening dates and times
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. No cultural festivals take place during Buddhist holidays, as is the case with other Thai temples; therefore, visitors are free to set their own dates and times for visiting.
Admission price
As it is perched on a rocky hill, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep is not easily accessible: those who enjoy hiking will climb the 309-step staircase bordered by naga serpents; the more leisurely are invited to take the cable car to reach the summit; transportation costs 20 baht for Thais and 50 baht for non-Thais.
Visiting the temple is free. The entrance fee is set at 50 baht, or approximately 1.4 euros. Be sure to adhere to the prevailing dress code: men and women are required to wear appropriate attire, which fully covers the arms and legs, and to remove their shoes at the entrance before entering the prayer halls.
How to get to Wat Pra That Doi Suthep?
The simplest way is to use private transportation. It only takes 32 minutes by car from downtown Chiang Mai. That said, the most common mode of transportation is the songthaew, a kind of red pick-up truck that serves as a shared taxi. These songthaews fill the streets of Chiang Mai. Note that it is possible to hail a songthaew from any part of the city.
In the vicinity
Apart from Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, other places of interest may also attract you:
- Doi-Suthep Pui National Park;
- The Buddhist temple Wat Pha Lat
- Queen Skirit's Botanical Garden.
