Wat Phra That Doi Suthep- Chiang Mai, Thailand

Located at the top of Doi Suthep (Mount Suthep), this sacred temple is a must see if you are in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

There is a legendary story……

A dream had prompted a buddhist  monk to go look for a relic with magical powers.  It was believed to be a part of Buddha's shoulder bone.  The glowing and vanishing relic broke into two pieces.  One of them was placed in a temple in Suandok.  The King Keu Naone was uncertain of where to place the other half.  So he put it on a white elephant's back and the elephant carried  it up to the Doi Suthep.  The temple was constructed at the site where  the elephant died right after reaching the mountain top.

The construction of the wat began in 1386.  Because of this story,  it is also known as an Elephant Temple by the locals.  The mountain Doi Suthep was once called Doi Aoy Chang (Sugar Elephant Mountain).

Upon climbing 309 steps and entering the terrace, there are a lot of small shrines, buddha statues  and snake figures. The colorful murals along the walls of pagoda are breathtaking to look at.   From the lower terrace, 360 degree view of Chiang Mai can be observed (Doi Suthep is about 1000 meters / 3542 ft above sea level).  

The Most magnificent of all is the gold- plated temple Chedi, which is located in the center of the upper terrace.  It is said that the other half of the magical relic is enshrined there.  Chedi was modeled after Wat Phra That Haripunjaya in Lamphun, formerly the greatest temple in Chiang Mai and further expanded in the 16th century.  

Both  aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism are observed here in the presence of the Emerald Buddha and Hindu God Ganesh.

And of course, there is the White Elephant Monument dedicated to the legendary elephant that carried the relic all the way up to Doi Suthep.  It is located at the frontal right corner after going up the stairs and entering the terrace.

Gettig There: It's about 30-40 min drive from Chaiag Mai city center.  About 200 tbt taxi ride.

Dress Code: Dress modestly.  No sleeveless shirts and short skirts / shorts.  -orientalarchitecture.com