Dec 04, 20 we ticked off the first one with a run around the grounds of chiang mai university and thought we should continue the day with a hike to wat phra doi suthep, a temple on the top of a mountain overlooking chiang mai from 1676 metres. There is also a model of the emerald buddha and a statue of the hindu god ganesh. Preparation for hiking the monks trail up doi suthep. Top sights and best things to do including monk chat, wat pa lat, jade factory, and the hmong village. The best day trips out of chiang mai to organize by yourself. Wat phra that doi suthep is a theravada buddhist temple in mueang chiang mai district, chiang mai province, thailand. Also, please read the comments by leslie regarding the dogs towards the end of the hike, especially if you are walking by yourself. See all 141 wat phra that doi suthep tours on tripadvisor. Bangkok to wat phra that doi suthep 6 ways to travel via. The name of the temple wat phra that doi suthep actually explains what the temple has. My recommendation would be to step outside the temple, by the road, and just.
Wat phra that doi suthep tips for your day trip from chiang mai. To reach it, you can partake in what is famously known as the monks hike. Mar 23, 2015 one week after we had installed ourselves safely in our chiang mai apartment, it was valentines day. The temple is often referred to as doi suthep although this is actually the. Wat phra that doi suthep is a beautiful temple and one of the most well known ones in chiang mai. There is a wide walkway around the main temple which leads you to a large viewing terrace with stunning views over chiang mai. The top 5 most spiritual places in thailand santa fe. Wat phra that doi suthep is one of northern thailands most. The first lookout point offers a panoramic view of chiang mai and is one of my favorite spots. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to chiang mai. See all 8 wat phra that doi suthep tours on tripadvisor. How to get from chiang mai airport cnx to wat phra that doi suthep by bus. Nimmanhaemin, chiang mai 3 miles from wat phra that doi suthep offering free wifi and city views, stay in style at nimman r208 is a property located in chiang mai, just a few steps from nimman haemin and a 15minute walk from kad suan kaew shopping center.
If so, rent a motorbike early in the day and plot your journey. Book your tickets online for wat phra that doi suthep, doi suthep. There is a waiting bay there for songthaews to doi suthep. His father was the subdistrict headman kamnan of tambon tha sathon. Wat phra that doi suthep is a major pilgrimage destinations during the important buddhist holidays of makha buja and visaka. Wat phrathat doi suthep, chiang mai one of the most spiritual places in the whole of thailand is the wat phrathat doi suthep in chiang mai.
There is just one road up to doi suthep from chiang mai, so you really cant miss it. Then they advised that the alternative would be to go all the way to the north gate to take songthaew at 50 bants each way with long waiting time. The cardinal directions are important to buddhism and it is said that if there isnt a body of water around, like in this case, then the main wihan. We decided to cement our love by taking a hike up to doi suthep temple official name wat doi suthep, which sits atop a hill to the west of the city also called doi suthep overlooking all of chiang mai. The temple is a major pilgrimage destination during the importantbuddhist holidays of makha bucha day21st februaryand visaka bucha day 19th may. Rome2rios travel guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Construction on wat phrathat doi suthep began in 86 under king kuena and was completed within a few years. Dec 20, 2015 getting to wat phra that doi suthep by motorbike.
The temple is a major pilgrimage destinations during the important buddhist holidays of makha buja and visak. One of the most popular ways to get to the wat phra that doi suthep is via the many red songthaews that ply the streets of chiang mai. Although it feels worlds apart from the countrys fastmoving, cosmopolitan capital, thailands fourth largest city is very easy to reach whether you go by plane. Wat phra that doi suthep tips for your day trip from. Follow this guide to make sure you prepare well and dont make these 5 mistakes that will damage your wallet. Tourists are often offered by every songthaew and tuktuk driver, a 15 kilometer trip up the winding road to reach the chiang mai wat phra that doi suthep. Its also known as simply doi suthep, after the 1,676meter high mountain on which it stands.
Receive your ticket via email, and reach your destination. If you plan to go on your own, you can rent a motorbike, hike, get a ride in a red songthaew, hire a songthaew for the entire day, or do a tour. Visiting the temple at doi suthep visit chiang mai online. Wat phra that doi suthep is a gorgeously planned wat with a story to tell about buddhism. Wat phra that doi suthep is a theravada buddhist temple wat in chiang mai province, thailand. Perched atop the doi suthep mountain, the wat is one of northern thailands most sacred temples and is located in deeply forested doi suthep national park at 1,000m above sea level. One of chiang mais winning attractions, doi suthep and the temple that bears its name see. A small hiking backpack is a must to carry the bare essentials, which include a 1.
The mountains temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in thailand and, as such, large numbers of thais and foreigners alike come to experience the special magic of this holy place. At the base of stairs, where cars and motorcycles park, there is a large market of food stalls, jade factories and endless relentless souvenir sellers. Wat phrathat doi suthep, more often known as doi suthep, is a buddhist temple on doi suthep mountain. Suthep was born in tha sathon, phunphin district, surat thani province in southern thailand. If youre visiting chiang mai and want to see a very special wat, doi suthep is to be recommended. After arranging to checkout late, i headed out from the hotel on foot towards the taxi stand on the northern gate of the old city. The city center retains a smalltown intimate feel and houses numerous historical temples and attractions within walking distances of each other. Most of them are talking about the buddhist temple, namely wat phra that doi suthep, in which the last two words describe the mountain area itself. Every tuktuk and songthaew driver in chiang mai will offer to take you on the 15 klm trip up the winding mountain road to doi suthep.
Bells at wat pharathat doi suthep temple, chiang mai, thailand. Chiang mai is both a natural and cultural destination. A must see, on any visit to chiang mai, is the wondrous and holy temple of wat phra that which is located near the top of doi suthep mount suthep. This post is about small day trips out of chiang mai to organize and take on your own and when i talk about driving i mean driving yourself on a scooter or hiring a driver for the day. I always take a few minutes to stop and take in the view on the way up. See all 9 wat phra that doi suthep tours on tripadvisor. Wat doi suthep temple and white meo hilltribe village halfday tour from. The perfect 3 days in chiang mai itinerary every steph. The mountain, plus neighbouring doi pui, form doi sutheppui national park. I love taking the scooter there, sometimes at sunrise or sunset you are almost by yourself and i find it very peaceful to come here.
There are several ways to get from chiang mai city to the mountaintop temple of wat phra that doi suthep. Getyourguide uses cookies to give you the best possible service. Wat phra that doi suthep lies at the height of about 1,060 meters and boasts a stunning view of chiang mai. Getting to wat doi suthep temple top things to do big boy travel.
One of the most impressive was the phrathat doi suthep. Getting to wat doi suthep temple from chiang mai thailand by guide tour bus or taxi. Overall wat doi suthep mountain is very easy to no matter how you choose to get there from chiang mai. Jun 25, 2011 the short story above about the origin of wat doi suthep dates back to 83 and today, 628 more years down chiang mais cultural road, the temple is a big tourist attraction to both thais and westerners alike, and a place which is more than worthy of the steep and energy sapping climb it takes to reach it. Getting a songthaew from wat pha lat to doi suthep is a bit hard, as there s no way to coordinate it.
The doi suthep vipassana meditation center at wat phra that doi suthep hosts several religious outreach programs and meditation courses. From chiang mai, it is only 15 kilometers to the holy grounds, where you get a live experience of the culture and simultaneously enjoy a. Hiking up to wat phra doi suthep things to do in chiang mai. And then there is also wat phra that doi suthep sitting on top of the mountain overlooking the city of chiang mai. Its one of the most sacred sites in thailand, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims every year. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See the golden pagodas of wat phra that doi suthep before the crowds arrive, following an earlymorning almsgiving to local buddhist monks. Getting to wat doi suthep temple from chiang mai thailand by guide tour bus or. Mount suthep is the site of the royal resort palace and of a temple complex, wat phra that doi suthep. Just bring lots of water like you would do on any hike. Visible from majority of the city, the mountain is a focal point that reinforces the beauty of the countryside and the magic of the thai culture that resides just beyond the city. Book your bus, train, ferry, shuttle, van from bangkok to chiang mai.
With a private guide at your side, youll gain insight into thai spiritual life in chiang mai, including a private blessing ceremony at wat umong. The temple wat phra that doi suthep is chiang mais most famous temple, and also the most sacred temple in northern thailand. Hiking the monks trail to wat pha lat in chiang mai. You wont be allowed to get inside the temple if you are wearing shorts or a sleeveless shirt. Visit both doi suthep and a hmong hill tribe village in this half day tour from chiang mai. Confused about getting to wat phrathat doi suthep chiang. Soon you will be at the summit and at wat phrathat doi suthep. From chiang mai, it is only 15 kilometers to the holy grounds, where you get a live experience of the culture and simultaneously enjoy a fascinating view of the valley. There are 6 ways to get from bangkok to wat phra that doi suthep by plane, bus, train or car. Mount suthep, thai doi suthep, mountain peak of northwestern thailand, overlooking the city of chiang mai and rising to 5,528 feet 1,685 metres. Visit both doi suthep and phuping palace in this half day tour from chiang mai. Doi suthep temple was built under king geu na in the late 14th century.
Golden chedi courtesy of alex kovacheva wikimedia commons the small, but beautifully formed wat phrathat doi suthep is one of the most important buddhist pilgrimage sites in thailand. Phra entails of an honorific buddha image, and that means a relic. There are several versions of the legend of how the wat phra that doi suthep was founded. One of the most popular ways to get to the wat phra that doi suthep is via the many red songthaews that ply the streets of. Wat phrathat doi suthep usa, chino hills, california, chino hills, california. Doi suthep pui national park sights a big perk of taking your own bike up the mountain is having the chance to stop at different points of interest along the way. The mountain and temple complex are included within mount sutheppui national park. The wat phrathat doi suthep settles very close to the top of mount suthep doi suthep, and the temple is referred to by most people as the doi suthep.
Book your wat phra that doi suthep tickets online and skiptheline. Gleaming like a northern star from the heights of doi suthep is wat phra that doi suthep. Hiking the monks trail up doi suthep tieland to thailand. Wat phra that doi suthep to wat phra singh station 2 ways to. I think this gives you ultimate flexibility as you are able to stop anywhere interesting that catches your eye. Founded in 83, it is an impressive temple to behold. There were no other people at the waterfall not a single soul besides us.
Mar 18, 20 if you have done the inca trail then climbing to wat phra doi suthep will be easy for you. Includes transfers, transport by air conditioned van, insurance and english speaking guide. But when i got there, the city was obscured by fog and i could only see as far as the forest on mount suthep. Its believed that striking the bells will bring good luck. The fare for the new improved funicular is 20 baht.
Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket. Visit with an expert guide in order to learn about the history of the temple and the religious rites that take place there. The 10 best golden temple wat phra that doi kham tours. How to get there wat phra that doi suthep, doi suthep. There are different ways to get to wat phra that doi kham but for the true experience, take the staircase. But actually once you are at wat doi suthep, there are equally many songthaews available to take you back to the city. Built in 83, wat prathat doi suthep with its stunning natural beauty is the most important temple and attactive destination in chiang mai and thailand. This is just an example, but there are so many temples in chiang mai that you could spend months in town and not see them all. Walking up to doi suthep via an old established well known trail called the old pilgrims trail you can do this in about two hours if you have a good fitness level. We recommend booking wat phra that doi suthep tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Wat phra that doi suthep chiang mai temple attractions. Once the naga lined steps are surmounted the longest naga balustrade in thailand, the first site one sees is the white elephant statue commemorating the story behind the wat placement.
After touring wat phra singh, we were haunted by taxi drivers in the car park offering a round trip of one hour stay to wat doi suthep. Wat phra that doi suthep chiang mai, thailand attractions. There are 300 steps from the bottom to get to the temple and the staircase is decorated with a serpent on each side winding down the mountain. Wat pra that doi suthep lush greenery and a golden stupa make doi suthep mountain impossible to miss when visiting chiang mai.
Jan 28, 20 doi suthep car park and market chiang mai doi suthep thai dances doi suthep emerald buddha me at doi suthep chiang mai me and jean at doi suthep chiang mai me at bhubing palace chiang mai the bhubing palace in chiang mai. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies. The companies designed to make money will be telling you that numerous snakes, spiders and even tigers lurk in the jungles and you cant possibly go alone. Like everywhere in thailand, wearing the right clothes is showing respect while in the sacred place. We are not by any means experienced walkers either. And great to get away from the hordes of chinese at doi suthep. The monks trail is not terribly demanding, but im glad i went prepared. Not only will you beat the tourist crowds but youll get there before the sun has heated up the floor tiles in the upper terrace.
The temple of wat phra that doi suthep is certainly one of the most important temples in chiang mai, as well as one of the most revered among all thais. A detailed guide to visit doi suthep mountains for the travellingsavvy. Doi suthep can be seen from almost anywhere in chiang mai, clinging to the mountainside close to the summit of doi suthep hill. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what buses go to which destination from which terminal. Some of my favorites include wat rajamontean in the instagram photo, wat lok molee, and wat suan dok. There is a legend behind the shrine, stating that the king entrusted a white elephant with a magical relic necessary for the temple to be built. Confused about getting to wat phrathat doi suthep chiang mai forum. The view from doi suthep should not be missed, if you are in chiang mai. Suthep itself is a district of western chiang mai city and one that gets its name from the adjacent mountain doi means mountain in northern thai, and the temple on the summitwat phra that doi suthep, is found on the mountainside. If you want to take one to the temple, they leave from huay kaew road near the zoo, costing 40 baht per person each way. Its importance, as well as its location, owes much to the legend of its founding. Wat that doi suthep is a major temple overlooking chiang mai part way up the mountain of doi suthep.
A big perk of taking your own bike up the mountain is having the chance to stop at different points of interest along the way. We havent had long sleeves or pants as you can see on the photo below but our knees and arms were. Chiang mai, in mountainous northern thailand, is about 470 miles from bangkok. The temple is simply referred to as doi suthep by most people.
The ultimate travel guide to chiang mai breathing travel. Aug 31, 2017 since wat phra that doi suthep is situated at the elevation of 1,053 meters, it overlooks the city of chiang mai. Compare routes, prices, schedules, departure times, and book travel tickets online. However, you do not need a local guide regardless of what they say. Getting to chiang mai is easy, you just need to choose an option that best suits your time and budget. The monastery was established in 83 by king keu naone to enshrine a. Chiang mai, is the wondrous and holy temple of wat phra that which is located near the top of doi suthep mount suthep. I decided to visit it on the morning of my last day in chiang mai. Feb 09, 2015 walking up to doi suthep via an old established well known trail called the old pilgrims trail you can do this in about two hours if you have a good fitness level. Do you need to book in advance to visit wat phra that doi suthep.
Suthep studied political science at chiang mai university, before he went to the united states to do a masters degree at middle tennessee state university, which he completed in 1975. Time to move to the big terrace below the golden pagoda area for the panoramic view. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. Combining the two tells that there is a relic of buddhas in the sanctity of the wat, and in this case its half of buddhas shoulder bone. Chiang mai airport cnx to wat phra that doi suthep 5 ways to. Doi suthep car park and market chiang mai doi suthep thai dances doi suthep emerald buddha me at doi suthep chiang mai me and jean at doi suthep chiang mai me at bhubing palace chiang mai the bhubing palace in chiang mai. After touring many wats in the city, we wanted to visit doi suthep. How to get from bangkok to wat phra that doi suthep by. We had a beautiful time while visiting the doi suthep and bhubing palace. Choose the best route for you and reserve your seat easily. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience wat phra that doi suthep. Wat phrathat doi suthep usa, chino hills, california home. For the faint of heart, there s also a funicular cablecar to the top which has just been rebuilt after several fatal crashes.
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