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Chiang Mai Province
Doi Suthep
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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
4.5
7,705 reviews
#1 of 7 things to do in Doi Suthep
Lookouts • Observation Decks & Towers • Religious Sites
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About
Located high in the hills above Chiang Mai, this magnificent temple was commissioned by King Kuena, ruler of the region from 1367-1388.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
373 within 3 miles
Chiangmai Coffee Stop
49
1.1 mi$ • Cafe
Palaad Tawanron
119
1.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Asian • Thai
Huen Huay Kaew
46
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Galae Restauant
257
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Angkaew Lake By Aiya Café
5
1.8 mi$ • Thai
Homduan Chiang Mai
3
1.9 mi
Suzu Cafe & Workshop
10
1.9 mi$ • Japanese • Cafe • Fast Food
Basecamp Coffee House
16
2 mi$ • Cafe
Phung Noi Bakery
16
1.9 mi$
Neo Cafe'
18
2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • European • Thai
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Attractions
246 within 6 miles
Huai Rap Sadet Waterfall
5
0.2 miWaterfalls
Wat Pha Lat
551
0.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Monkchat Meditation Retreat
191
Religious Sites
Elephant sanctuary care Park
141
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
545
1.7 miNational Parks
Elephant Rescue Park
1,764
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Kaew Gallery
99
Art Galleries
Wat Umong
1,264
2.7 miAncient Ruins • Religious Sites
Wat Suan Dok
908
2.7 miCemeteries • Religious Sites
Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
1,544
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
7,706 reviews
Excellent
4,154
Very good
2,621
Average
746
Poor
138
Terrible
47
L N
Bristol, UK330 contributions
Holiest site in Chiang Mai looks splendid at sunset
Apr 2023
Worth a visit. As the guide didn’t fail to repeat, the stupa contains a shoulder blade of the Buddha, brought up the mountain by the King on an albino elephant! It can be reached either by climbing 300 steps, or by funicular. At sunset the monks can be heard chanting, and the stupa looks glorious in the light. If you feel like it you can process three times around the stupa with a candle and lotus in your hand, stopping at every corner to pray, as we did. ;-)
Written May 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amanda5805
Duncan, Canada4,945 contributions
Dragon Stairway leading to the Gold Temple on top of the Mountain! Must See!
Jan 2020
We arrived at Doi Suthep Temple around 8:30am on a Sunday in December. The Temple complex is on the side of the mountain. There was a short line to ride the gondola/elevator up to the top. I do recommend taking the gondola up and walking the 306 steps down the Naga Serpent (dragon’s body) staircase when leaving. It is defiantly worth seeing. The detail is incredible.

The temple is just over 15 kilometres from the Chiang Mai city centre. On a clear day you can see downtown Chiang Mai from the temple. The temple was founded in 1383 when the first stupa was built .Over time, it has expanded with many more shrines. The road to the temple was built in 1935 and has been updated over time.

There is so much to see here. There is a golden spire which decorates the centre of the complex inside main temple. The walls around are decorated with historical murals, shrines & statues. There is also a replica of the Emerald Buddha statue on display. Outside of the main centre temple there are a lot to see including the Shine of the White Elephant, viewing terrace, some of the worlds largest gongs, a wall of bells and so much more.
We paid 30Baht (around $1.30CAD) a person. The back of your ticket has a map of the complex (see pictures for map). We were here for about an hour and a half and we did not fell rushed. Around 9am it started to get vey busy. When we were leaving it was extremely busy. Please remember to dress respectfully or you could be denied entrance. You will also be asked to remove your shoes while walking around inside the main temple. There is shoe racks to store them or you could put them in your backpack.
Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
1,967 contributions
Chiang Mai highlight
Dec 2021 • Solo
They say you haven't been to Chiang Mai if you don't come here! It was worth it. Stunning and well kept. Beautiful grounds with lovely views. Suggest coming early morning as it's really quiet and you can enjoy the beauty. The steps up with a mask on during the pandemic is a killer. I almost died! It's approximately three hundred steps. Going down was quick.
Written December 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krubee
Singapore, Singapore567 contributions
The Most Beautiful Temple I've ever visited - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Jan 2020
Thailand has many beautiful and unique temples but after visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep it changed everything. Located in Chiang Mai, a city of lovely temples on top of Doi Suthep mountain around 1073 meters high. We booked a private local bus for around 1000 baht that took us to Doi Suthep and 2 other beautiful attractions in Chiang Mai. It was worth it, we arrived at Doi Suthep after 30 mins from the Old city. Hiking and Cycling is another alternative. It was thought to have been built around the 14th century and the road towards it around 1935. The name itself is referring to the Buddha relic (Half of His shoulder bone) located on the Chedi in this temple. Once you reached the parking lot the 309 steps will greet you and can climb towards the temple grounds. Another option is to take tram. Ticket is around 50 Baht. The temple grounds observe strict dress code including removal of footwear. The Stupa is the Holiest part of the temple with Chatras (Umbrellas) surrounding it. There are plenty of tourists and locals in the temple so space is a bit tight but despite of this the temple remained very clean and well maintained. The temple is beautiful, artistically crafted and magnificent. Like other Thai temples Gold is the color of the Chedi, Chatra, Stupa and most Buddha statues. Smaller chapels and halls are located around the grounds. The chapels have Monks and temple visitors observing service and praying. Each faces of the Chedi contains different Buddha statues made of Gold and other types of stones. There are also some aspects of Hinduism in the temple with the example of Lord Ganesh's statue. A White Elephant is located at the entrance symbolising where it stopped on top of this mountain where this temple is now located. At the back of the temple there is an observation deck where you could have a panoramic view the city of Chiang Mai. We prayed and took lovely photos and videos at this charming temple. It was indeed an experience and one of the most beautiful temples I've been too and will definitely come back again. A visit in Chiang Mai is not complete without visiting its Holiest Shrine - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe
Budapest, Hungary3,354 contributions
Golden Temple
Dec 2022 • Friends
Wat Phra Doi Suthep is a gorgeous golden temple located in Doi Inthanon National Park Chiang Mai.

It's really beautiful on a blue sky day as the golden architecture really shines in the sunlight. Guess you need to be lucky with the weather when you go.

I love the details here, with the fading paintwork, the intricate Buddha statues and the bells and gongs dotted around. It's quite a lively busy spot, so not ideal for worship but you can still find a quiet corner for serene contemplation if you look hard enough.

The surrounding area is really beautiful too with mountains and forests around
Written December 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BBQ_And_Craft_Beers
Thailand246 contributions
Beautiful views and temple
Dec 2022 • Couples
If you’re visiting Chiang Mai Wat Doi Suthep is a must visit. Beautiful temple up in the mountains. You’ll have a trek to get up to the temple but it’s worth the trek. Inexpensive day, some good food and trinkets on site - we opted to rent a car and drive up which felt well worth it! Some amazing views over the city so make sure not to miss out on the viewpoint!
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archie Jain
Noida, India105 contributions
Feeling at the top
Dec 2019
The temple is situated at top of a mountain. You reach there by ropeway. The temple is grand and splendid. The temple ground has many smaller structures with statues of buddha inside and outside. There is a beautiful view from the temple of the city. There are a lot of large bells in temples placed in sequence. There are a small souvenir and eatery shop selling waffles. The temple is usually very crowded with worshippers ad well as tourists. There is a small entry fee of 50 baht per person for the ropeway. Also, you have to wait in a queue for around 15-20 minutes to get to your turn on the ropeway. Since it is a temple, it is recommended you go with knees and elbows covered.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CKF
CT2,199 contributions
Worth the trek! Try to visit around sunset
Jan 2020
We had read about Wat Phra That Doi Suthep before coming to Chiang Mai, and knew it was a "must see." We signed up for a half day tour (late afternoon into evening) that included visiting this amazing structure.

Wat Doi Suthep is high up on a hill. You will encounter about 20 minutes of winding uphill roads to ascend. There is a beautiful dragon (naga) staircase leading to the top, but we rode the funicular and walked down (unfortunately, it was dark by then so couldn't appreciate the intricacies of the dragon artwork). Once at the top, the main wat is a sight to behold. We were lucky enough to see and hear children chanting in the temple, followed by the gong being hit loudly. Three monks then chanted outside. Shortly thereafter (around 6 pm), the adult monks and nuns began their evening chants. Such a special experience to sit in the temple and be part of this.

Before you leave, soak in the view from the top. Just wonderful! Take time to explore the many stupas and buddhas around the complex as well. Enjoy!
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jwhartmann
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands343 contributions
Must-visit destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Feb 2023 • Couples
Wat Doi Suthep is a must-visit destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This stunning temple is located on the top of Doi Suthep mountain, offering breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside. The temple is a sacred place for Buddhists.
Visitors can climb the staircase with 309 steps, which is lined with beautifully carved Naga serpent statues, or take the cable car to reach the temple. The intricate and ornate architecture of the temple is mesmerizing, with intricate gold-plated details, and a glistening golden pagoda. The interior of the temple is decorated with paintings, murals, and statues that depict Buddhist stories and teachings.
The atmosphere at Wat Doi Suthep is peaceful and serene, with the sound of chanting monks adding to the tranquil ambiance.
Overall, Wat Doi Suthep is a fantastic cultural and spiritual experience that should not be missed when visiting Chiang Mai.
Written April 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delaney
Singapore, Singapore222 contributions
Beautiful
Jan 2021
Visited this marvelous temple on the first day of 2021 - a gracious beginning to the year up on one of Chiang Mai's infamous peak. The temple itself was truly and incredible sight to see - truly worth the walk through the numerous steps. The infrastructure is very well maintained and clean. The viewpoint was just breathtaking; it was a great to catch the sight of Chiang Mai alit at dusk. Lots of beautiful adornments and intricate wood carving are also worth exploring throughout the temple. Other than that, my companion and I were lucky enough to behold and also participate in circulating the main golden stupa, carrying large yellow sheet of exquisite silk along with all the visitors there. The large silk sheets were intended for wrapping around the base of the stupa; although, I don't much on the details behind this intriguing ceremony. Overall, a beautiful temple in great weather and also an incredible experience! Absolutely worth visit when in Chiang Mai!
Written January 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

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