Doi Suthep / Doi Pui

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Phra Khru Ba Sriwichai

This renowned monk constructed the road up to the temple in 1934-36. His statue stands at the foot of the mountain on your lefthand side pass by the road to the temple.

Phuping Palace

The winter palace, open on Friday, weekend and public holidays if nobody of the Royal family is present. Nice walking park, garden flowers interesting if you like. The Palace building combind modern comfort with traditional building style.

Doi Suthep / Doi Pui National Park

It is interesting to pay attention to the surrounding National Park. It has several hiking – trials such as climbing Doi Pui. Here you have a scenic view over the area with down below a hilltribe village, or there is a trail that passes by Hmong village rarely visited by foreigners. Another trial brings you to the Sai Yoi Falls. Avaliable accomodation is near the Park entrance. It is a good place for birdwatching too.

SUTHEP TEMPLE

Wat Phratart Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai’s most important and visible Landmark all area from the city. Someone told that you have not been in Chiang Mai if you do not come all the way up here. Suthep is the name of hermit Suthep Reusi, Who lived here 1,300 years ago.

3,250 feet above sea level, 16km. from the town and 300 steps of steep Naga staircases. You will see the Golden Pagoda where contained holy Buddha relics. It attracts Buddhish pilgrams from all over the world throughout the year.

Old Naga staircaseOld Naga Staircase
Old Naga staircaseToday Naga Staircase

Thee Temple was built in 1386 by King Keuna the Great. (And was rebuilt in 1525 by Phra Muang KetKhlao) At that time, Phra Maha Sumuna was invited by King Kaena. He brough the Buddha’s relic along from Ceylon. One part of it was donated to Wat Phratart Haripunchai in Lamphune.

The rest he devided in 2 pieces. One half was placed under a new pagoda (or Chedi.) in Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai. The other was attached on the back of a white elephant. The animal walked up the mountain and stopped where the Temple was situated now.

If the weather permits, you will witness an excellent scenery of Chiang Mai city and surrounding countryside.