Chiang Mai · North
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep stands on the mountain of the same name above Chiang Mai, at around 1,000 metres, and is the most venerated temple in northern Thailand. It was founded in 1383 under the Lanna kingdom, and tradition holds that the site was chosen by a white elephant carrying a relic of the Buddha, which stopped and died at the spot where the chedi now stands. The gilded chedi at the centre of the terrace is the object of pilgrimage; it is reached either by a funicular or by a long naga-flanked stairway of 306 steps. The temple is Lanna in style throughout, distinct from the Rattanakosin work of Bangkok.
Art & Architecture
- Gilded chedi said to enshrine a relic of the Buddha
- Naga staircase of 306 steps climbing to the terrace
- Lanna-style cloister and viharns around the central chedi
- Terrace views over Chiang Mai and the valley below
Best Season
Festivals
Visakha Bucha · Songkran
Planning your visit
Nearby
Guesthouses and dharamshalas near the temple often take walk-ins. Confirm a single-occupancy rate when you call.
Rated 4.7 on Google Maps from 391 reviews, a drive from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
Rated 4.7 on Google Maps from 456 reviews, a drive from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
Rated 4.7 on Google Maps from 135 reviews, a drive from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Listed on rating and proximity — we have not stayed here.
Checked by us
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From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-23)
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From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-23)
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From Overture Maps — not verified by us (2026-08-23)
Listings drawn from third-party maps are not verified by us and may be out of date. Please confirm directly before you travel.
Sources