Visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Keen on witnessing the best vantage point in Chiang Mai, Thailand we hopped on a red sangthaew and made our way up Mount Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Buddhist Temple (วดพระธาตดอยสเทพ).
Our party of eight shuffled into the back of a Red Sangthaew (Thai transportation truck) and made our way up the serpentine road leading to Doi Suthep temple. Peering out the back of the truck as we ascended the mountain, I spotted Thais whizzing past us on crammed motorbikes with as many of three passengers on one seat. The ease at which locals were making their way up the temple was in stark contrast to how our party was faring as we grabbed tightly onto the passenger railing trying our best not to vomit given the excessive fumes being emitted from our vehicle in tandem with the constant back and forth motion of the winding road.
After 15 minutes of shifting back and forth we finally made a stop at the first lookout point located roughly half way up the mountain. Traipsing past Thai ladies selling trinkets and refreshments we witnessed our first unobstructed views of Chiang Mai however, unfortunately, a combination of morning haze and clouds prevented us from seeing much aside from a a few select buildings.
Upon reaching the top of the mountain we began our climb up 309 steps to reach Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple. Immediately, I couldn't help but notice the hoards of tourists - especially Chinese vacationers - visiting this temple situated high atop of the mountain. I'm not sure why I expected different but I had envisioned a quaint temple on top of a mountain with very few visitors. Immediately, I found myself having to recalibrate my expectations to correspond with reality.
This popular Theravada Buddhist temple was built in 1383 however a road was not constructed to temple until 1935. The origins of the temple remains a mystery to this day. Legend has it that a white elephant climbed up Doi Suthep (at the time called Doi Aoy Chang (Sugar Elephant Mountain)) trumpeting three times before passing away at the site. This significant event was interpreted as a sign and King Nu Naone immediately ordered the construction of a chedi.
Wandering around the perimeter areas of the temple wasn't particularly impressive. Aside from it being overcrowded, the exterior of the Wat was very ordinary and typical of other 'free' and easily accessible temples dotted all over Chiang Mai however, once I removed my footwear inside the interior section, I was treated to more impressive statues, bells, shrines and the spectacle of locals praying both by standing up and walking and sitting down.
Located just 15 kilometers from the old quarter of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep can be easily reached by Red Sangthaew. Our group of eight paid 800 Baht total (100 per person) for our driver to take us up the mountain (30 minute drive), wait for us for two hours and bring us back into the city center. Overall, I thought this was excellent value. To visit the temple you'll need to pay 30 Baht per person unless - of course- you're a Thai national.
