Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

If the city Chiang Mai is on your journey to Thailand, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep must be a priority in your list of visits. As the Thai locals say, if you haven’t been to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep then you haven’t gone to Chiang Mai.

Located high on Mount Doi Suthep is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – a magnificent Buddhist temple draped in gold. It is the holiest temple in northern Thailand and one of the most sacred temples in Chiang Mai Province.

Table of Contents

1. Architecture of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep lies at a height of about 1,060 meters on a mountainside. Its name takes after the name of the mountain. In Thai, “Doi” means the mountain, and “Suthep” is the mountain’s name.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a gorgeously planned temple with a story to tell about Buddhism.

The Naga staircase of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Arrived at the foot of the mountain Suthep, visitors can admire the stunning 306-step staircase flanked by two emerald-green Nagas. In Thai culture, Naga is the sacred serpent responsible for creating water, rain and bringing luck to people. This is one of the symbols of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and also the longest Naga staircase in Thailand.

Each of the Naga has seven heads and their details are amazing. The Nagas is truly an exquisite mosaic work as it is sophisticated to the smallest details.

To get to the temple, you can walk step by step, following the length of these two charming Naga, or taking an elevator to get straight to the top. People believed that climbing the staircase is an act of accumulating Buddhist merit so many devotees choose to walk instead of taking the elevators. For visitors, if you want to challenge yourself, you can try and use the stairs. But 306 steps climbing up the mountain is not a short way so if you don’t have enough strength to climb, taking the elevator will be the better choice.

The terrace of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

After you make it to the top, visitors are welcomed by an elaborate temple gate.

The entrance of the temple is home to a guardian dragon-like statue, commonly known as “Mom”. Most of the children are told by their parents to pay their respects to the statute before entering the temple.

Inside the temple, you will find a terrace that fills with breadfruit trees, small shrines, rock gardens, and monuments. In front of the entrance, you will also find the famous statue of the white elephant. This white elephant is believed to be the reason for the foundation of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is also home to many Buddha statues in different styles and materials. Over 200 Buddha statues can be counted within the inside courtyard. The walls surrounding the complex are decorated with colorful mural paintings that tell many stories of Buddhism.

Visitors come to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep from all over Thailand to offer lotus flowers, incense, and candles. Many believed that by doing that, they would receive blessings and good fortune.

2. Legend of the white elephant

There’s an interesting story about the origin of the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. According to this legend, one night, a monk named Sumanathera has a dream telling him that he has to go to Pang Cha and look for some mysterious objects. He did what the dream said and found a bone that contained magical powers. It glowed in the dark, could vanish in a second, and could move by itself. Therefore, many were convinced that it was Gautama Buddha’s shoulder bone.

After that, Sumanathera brought the relic to King Dhammaraja of Sukhothai. However, the relic didn’t display any magical powers in his presence so the king became doubtful of its authenticity. He lost interest in the relic and gave it back to Sumanathera.

The relic’s reputation came to the ears of King Nu Naone of Lan Na. He then asked Sumanathera to bring it to him in Northern Thailand. Once Sumanathera arrived, the relic broke into two pieces. The smaller piece was enshrined at a temple in Suandok, while, the king decided to put the larger piece on the back of a white elephant. The chosen elephant was then released into the jungle. Latter, it climbed up Doi Suthep. When it came close to the top of the mountain, it stopped and trumpeted three times, before dropping dead.

King Nu Naone suppose that was an omen, a message from Buddha. So he ordered the immediate construction of a temple where the elephant lay down. That temple is the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep that we know nowadays.

3. How to get there

There are multiple options for tourists to reach Wat Phra That Doi Suthep:

Songthaew

The Red Songthaews is considered to be one of the most feasible means of transportation to reach the temple. On Huay Kaew Road, you will find a lot of these red cars. One Songthaews can fit 8 people, and the fare one-way to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is 50THB per person. The drivers will wait to have at least 5 customers in their car to start driving.

If you’re in a group or you don’t want to wait, you can take a Songthaew, from anywhere in the city for about 300 THB.

Private car or motorbike

It’s more advisable for tourists to take a Songthaew since the route up isn’t short and has a large number of curves and twists. But if you are confident in your driving skills and want to drive to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep by yourself, it is possible. You will have to drive through Huay Kaew Road, towards the Chiang Mai Zoo, whilst passing the Maya Mall, en route.