Address: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Mueang, Chaing Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The first time I visited this place I could not believe how beautiful and inspiring it was. Discover Chiang Rai and its White Temple, a gem in northern Thailand! This is how King Prajadiphok and Queen Rambai Barni, traveled up the mountain during their visit to Chiang Mai in January 1927. It is not pretty and it caused erosion that makes a short stretch of the trail tricky and outright hazardous in the rainy season. But I think I can only walk from the end of Suthep Road to Wat Pha Lat. If you have the opportunity, try to come here when the sun starts to go down (between 3 pm and 4.30 pm in November, roughly speaking). The temple lies at an elevation of 3,520 feet (1,073 m) on the slopes of Mount Suthep, one of Thailands highest peaks (5,528 feet [1,685 m]), just outside the city. Visit one of Chiang Mai's most important, and certainly most popular, temples Wat Phra That Doi Suthepwith this private tour, which includes round-trip transportation from your hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Upgrade yourtourfor a private guide. On the other hand, be warned, this temple is not a small secret spot There are people (even too many for our taste). To create a new list, please delete some old ones. Hotel pickup and drop-off and lunch at an orchid farm are included. Grab a coffee & stay a while. Guided Wat Phra That Doi Suthep tours start around USD 92.13 per person. Its absolutely worth it for the golden temple and beautiful views overlooking Chiang Mai. Not like the peaceful Wat Phalat at all. Book Now. He lost interest in the relic and gave it back to Sumanathera. Delightful gardens with tropical and temperate flowers in bloom at Phu Ping Palace. In the past this location was known as Pha Lat (sloping cliff). Tel: +66 82 709 5999 Even more beautiful when you aren't worried about getting lost, like we were our first time! Skip the taxi hassles and embrace the soul of northern Thailand on this small-group tour. The trail goes up gradually but never becomes steep. It is quite a steep climb and you end up at the back of the monks quarters of Wat Pha That Doi Suthep. 253 111 Sunrise Tour! AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media. Theres an interesting story about the origin of the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Satow stayed at the British consulate on the Ping River and rode his pony to the foot of Suthep mountain. I have been trying to piece the history together from visits, articles, books, videos and other sources, which has been very interesting indeed. Oh so fun!! I hiked the Monks Trail several times and visit Wat Pha Lat regularly. Renting a scooter in Chiang Mai does not cost much (count between 150 and 250 bahts per day) and allows you to be 100 % free of your movements. Mueang Chiang Mai Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Ratchaworawihan Tambon Su Thep, . Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand +66 81 026 2482 Save Photo by whyyan/Flickr + - Leaflet A Favorite Chiang Mai Temple The markers were recently redone and very bright, but you can see many older markers which have started to fade and blend into the scenery. Guaranteed 100% Travel and 0% Spam ! Moreover, we had the good surprise of seeing a little-known temple hidden in the jungle. Thank you very much!!! The one-way race is charged 50 bahts if the car is full (10 people). Ill go to Chiang Mai in the end of August 2019. This portion of the hike isnt too long, maybe 400 meters. There will also be a tall red and white radio tower on your right (this is only important to note because you can see it from the top ofWat Phra That Doi Suthep so its fun to see how far youve journeyed). But 306 steps climbing up the mountain is not a short way so if you dont have enough strength to climb, taking the elevator will be the better choice. It had taken them five months and twenty-two days. In recent years it has become a very popular trail for local people and visitors. From the beginning of the trail to the summit, count a little less than 2 hours of hiking. This also had repercussions for Wat Pha Lat. At the top of the steps, youll have to pay 30 Baht a person for entrance to the temple. Below are photos of the reconstruction that come from the Facebook page of Kreangkrai Kirdsiri. Kreangkrai Kirdsiri and Isarachai Buranaut. 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. I go to the shrine in the back of the temple and receive a blessing from the presiding monk. Road Trips. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to Doi Suthep, one of Thailands most sacred temples. Restoration of other buildings is underway, and new buildings are being constructed as well. Make sure to bring water and stretch first because of the 300+ steps to reach the top of the temple. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. The main attractions of the park are; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Pui Mountain, waterfalls, viewpoints and trails. Mae Kachan Hot Spring (Mae Ka Chan) tickets, Where to Get the Worlds Best Coffee (and How to Enjoy It), 10 Orange Places Around the World Thatll Brighten Your Day. Chiang Mai's Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: The Complete Guide I know there were several songthaews near the exit that take people to town, and Wat Pha Lat is on the way. The entrance is clearly marked with a large green map. Try to come early in the morning (the temple opens at 6 am) or during lunch break. Follow the extremely steep path for a long as you can, climbing over trees, under bushes and across a stream until you meet the road again. You'll head up to Doi Suthep, famed for its golden pagoda and Buddha relic, accessible via a 306-step staircase. Chiang Mai Itinerary: An EPIC 3 Days in Chiang Mai [2021], [] lost at this point (there arent really any signs). It will take you about at least 1 hour to explore all over there. This 5-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at hotels in Chiang Mai, as well as entrance fees and a cable car ticket at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is the holiest temple in northern Thailand and one of the most sacred temples in Chiang Mai Province. Detailed shrines & pagodas that illustrate Thai history Images of a wonderful samlor temple tour with students of Stenden University from the Netherlands, who are in Chiang Mai to study Community Based Tourism with Green Trails. Hi Mireille! Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Pictures, Images and Stock Photos Wat Phra That Doi Suthep The path will run into the river, where youll get your first glimpse of Chiang Mai city below. Satow seems to have arrived at the other side of the temple, the same side I arrived at when I hiked the Monks Trail. With literally hundreds of temples to choose from, you could spend weeks exploring Chiang Mai. January 13, 2023 Hiking The route starts from the Doi Suthep Pine Tree Campground. To get to Wat Pha Lat and Doi Suthep by scooter, follow 1004 (Huay Kaew Rd), which passes the zoo. The Doi Instead we saw a dirt path to our right and assumed that the trail continued there. With the new sealed road the Monks Trail became obsolete. And then youll reach your final task of the day: the 309 steps to the top ofWat Phra That Doi Suthep. Nagas are dragon-like deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, and these sacred serpents run the length of the staircase, guarding the gates to the entrance. After a short hour of climbing, we reach the road again, just below Doi Suthep. If youre staying in Chiang Mai and have done a bit of research youll no doubt have come across Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. We would have liked this temple to be accessible only on foot (mouahaha), but if you have decided to opt for the scooter (we promised we dont blame you), it is possible to access it by road, 1004. If you feel like walking up the hill but are not thrilled with the idea of following Suthep Road for more than 4 km (admittedly, its not the most glamorous part), then we suggest you park your scooter at the end of Suthep Road or take a songthaew from the old town to that point. Doi Suthep Temple. There will be a small sign in Thai from the Thai police near the correct path. Parts of this path are more narrow, and while its not as well maintained as the path to Wat Pha Lat, you will not likely be the only one on the path (we hiked late, and still past four other groups on this part of the trail). Go up the small flight of stairs toward them, and youll see a sign pointing you to the temple. How can I get there without doing a tour? - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep It shows a remarkable building, called Ho Phra Chao Rim Nam, which translates as shrine with Buddha images next to the water. It dates back to the period between 1886 and 1898. All rights reserved. It is not clear when they constructed the famous Naga staircase. An Uber from the South Gate was 90 Baht and 70 Baht from the North Gate. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Could I go to Wat Pha Lat from this main road? The path will turn into steps very quickly, and will continue being steps the entire rest of the hike. As you can imagine, there are many ways to get there! This small-group tour is a convenient way to tick off four examples of magnificent architecture in a day without having to look up public transport schedules. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Kreangkrai Kirdsiri and Isarachai Buranaut, , , article in Chiang Mai News, October 19, 2017. Share to. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. Frankly, the temple is sublime! A row of Buddhas at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai. Wat Pha Lat is a beautiful temple with a great atmosphere and nice views of Chiang Mai. Gorgeous scenery, ultimate serenity and pilgrims make this a must-see stop in Chiang Mai. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep The temple 'Wat Phra That Doi Suthep' is Chiang Mai's most famous temple, and also the most sacred temple in northern Thailand. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Tours and Tickets 1,353 Reviews The golden spire of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep glitters near the summit of Doi Suthep, a 5,499-foot (1,676-meter) mountain outside Chiang Mai. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Wat Phra That Doi Suthep The second half of the hike from Wat Phalad to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is more challenging than the first, and it will be good to be rested. Tour includes door-to-door round-trip hotel transfers from central hotels and is limited to nine people for a more personal experience. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (Note: there will be a small dirt road to your right, ignore that one. 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. Satow certainly would have mentioned this building if he would have passed it on his walk to the temple. The low light that crosses the jungle and illuminates the temple just gives this place a crazy atmosphere! A visit to Wat Pha Lat features in these tours: Doi Suthep Almsgiving, Temples and Hmong Tour, Buffalo Market, Lamphun and Doi Suthep Temple, Historic Walk, Samlor ride and Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Food and Doi Suthep Temple Tour, Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email. I recommend good hiking shoes because this part of the trail is much steeper and more difficult. -1 rating. I scoured the internet for hours looking for walking trails that would take me to the summit via the temples we wanted to visit but for all I could see it could only be accessed by the road. It has since grown into a diary of my adventures around the world. After this, he became known as Luang Yo. Record the pronunciation of this word in your own voice and play it to listen to how you have pronounced it. I started in Chiang Mai old town (adding 1.5 hrs each way).. best part of the hike was from the trail head to Wat Pha Let, a beautiful and serene temple complex in the Jungle. Legend has it that back in the day, people were trying to decide where to build a temple to house a sacred relic. It is remarkable footage. We were dropped off at the base at 10:45 AM and were on our Songthaew on our way back at 2:34. Recently the temple has gained popularity with young travelers and has been going through somewhat of a revival. Exploring with a guide for a more enriching experience, learn about Buddhism at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the golden temple thats a Chiang Mai symbol, then immerse in Hmong culture at Doi Pui Hmong Hill Tribe Village. Lunch and round-trip transport included. Digital nomads in Chiang Mai: what are our reviews and our budget? The Monks trail was one of the main trails for pilgrims and visitors to go to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep before followers of the engineer-monk Kruba Srivichai finished the construction of a road in 1935. #OnTheRoadAgain. Visiting the temples at night means that youll benefit from cooler temperatures and less crowds. Review of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Reviewed May 8, 2016 Such a peaceful place to visit. The hike from Wat Pha Lat toWat Phra That Doi Suthep, however, is significantly less traveled and much more difficult, both physically and navigationally. Tickets and other practicalities 1. You can find everything you need to settle down here: how to move around, find an apartment, where to eat, which SIM card to buy, how to install internet at home, how to withdraw money, visa issues, health in Chiang Mai, dangers, Thai culture, legal issues, etc. The actual starting point is not a listed address in Uber, and when we tried dropping a pin, the driver didnt understand. From there, the downhill hike would probably be okay for someone with a weak knee. Given the competition, you should also be able to negotiate the return for 50 bahts. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Hiking. It is best to carry a water bottle because you will have to walk a lot. When requesting your Uber, enter the destination address forGalae Restaurant. There are 2 spots in Chiang Mai where Song Taew leave only for Doi Suthep and wait for their vehicle to be full before leaving. It is a religious place, so please respect the sanctity of the place and make way for the local devotees. Luang Yonakarn Phichit decided to construct a place of worship and a resting place for pilgrims to worship and meditate. To the left of the statue, youll see an orange marker. Moderate 4.6 (315) Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. From this spot, it took me half an hour more to the place where the ponies were waiting, and I got back to Chiengmai about the hour that it was expected I should have reached the pagoda. It is possible that Satow took his lunch close to the location of Wat Pha Lat. Finding signs became a bit of a thing during our trip. Wasn't it such a beautiful hike!? We never actually found any sort of fork in the road, and there is really only one main path. and of a temple complex, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Have you taken this trek? In December 2021 it took me about 1,5 hours to do the whole trail. This didnt really appeal to mine or Chars sense of adventure and so we chose to end our hike at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which stands at the end of an ancient pilgrimage, now known as the Monks Trail. All rights reserved. Although this temple is a main tourist attraction and is generally busy, it is definitely worth a visit. A 45 minute hike down should be manageable and we get to do sort of an adventure out of the place. Should I book Wat Phra That Doi Suthep tickets in advance? The inclines are all gentle and the path is both well-trodden and well-marked. Ascend to 3,500 feet (1,069m) without breaking a sweat on a half-day tour that takes you to the mountaintop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple and Phu Ping Palace. After this Pha Lat became a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. For the return, after having gone down the stairs of Doi Suthep, we follow the road before taking the path at the level of the sharp bend. In this guide (400 pages long), you will find all the information about Chiang Mai that a person who is moving in could need. $ The entrance to the trail is listed as a point on Google maps and is clearly marked from the street. A road to the temple was first built in 1935. The most economical for single people or couples? Jay N Fountain Valley, California 0 Votes Take a local cab there. For our part, we decided to warm up the calves and climb on foot! Oct 2020 Friends. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | Chiang Mai, Thailand | Attractions - Lonely Doi Suthep Temple - All You Need To Know I chartered a red truck back to Wat Pha Lat for 100THB and walked down to the start of the trail where I parked my car. 1. There is a chedi in the style of Chiang Saen. Photos (389) Directions. Click here if you want to know more about us! King Rama V bestowed on him the name Luang Yonakarn Phichit, for his services to the community of Chiang Mai. Located high on Mount Doi Suthep is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep a magnificent Buddhist temple draped in gold. Temples, temples and temples may fill your Thailand itinerary, but this one should top the list. It probably dates back to the 14th century but I have not found any evidence in support of that. Continuing from there to Doi Suthep was less enjoyable.. steeper, harder, hotter (less shade), muddier and somehow less picturesque. The structure is an incredible piece of architecture and skilled craftsmanship. Copyright 2019 thaiunika.com. Both structures show Burmese influences. There you go! Monks had to hike up Doi Suthep to get to the temple, and Wat Pha Lat was later built as a resting place for those Monks. 700 m of altitude difference, the Thai roads, the exhaust gases of the songthaews Personally, Im not sure I would have chosen this option, but we met several of them who did it! The article is in the Thai language and you can find the title in the references section below. Watch the sun set over Chaing Mai from your vantage point at the Wat Phra Ta Doi Suthep temple on this tour. After having eaten a little something in one of the many food stands, we climbed up to the temple using the wide 305-step staircase to the top! The only sounds you can hear are that of the jungle and of the waterfall running right alongside the temple.