Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Summary: Beautiful, peaceful, well maintained, easily accessible from the city It wasn’t too busy when I visited. It is low tourist season now (June). Must wear temple appropriate clothing (cover knees and shoulders) you must take off your shoes before entering the main part of the temple. You can take pictures inside, no problem. Temple/ Wat: Stunning architecture, painting and attention to detail. It felt very peaceful within the temple, lots of people were praying or meditating and paying respects. The Park/Grounds: The grounds surrounding were well maintained. Good clean facilities. Lots of view points to take photos. Many souvenir shops and some restaurants/ food stalls at the entrance. Steps: There are a set of steps that take about 5 minutes to ascend (steep but slow walking) to the start of the temple, if you are not able to do, you can take a cable car/ lift. Transport: I booked a grab from the city centre and he messaged us to ask if we wanted him to wait for us and drive us back. So it’s easy to negotiate a full trip price, most grab/ bolt drivers are happy to do that. There were many Tuk Tuk and Song Thaews available once you’re up there to take you back too. Some people drive motorbikes up which has a great view but I would only recommend if you were experienced as the road is very windy and quite steep. It’s also rainy season and rained whilst we were there so could make the road slippery.

Great experience. Beautiful views. Gorgeous icons. So lovely. Free entry. Cold beverages are sold as are simple souvenirs. You get to see a gorgeous temple that's not very far outside of Chiang Mai. You can take a Grab here -- you'll want to book it round trip to save yourself the hassle of the drive back. Have an umbrella on hand to shade you from the sun. It's intense and there are areas with no shade where you are walking.

Beautiful temple. Even though it is a bit far from Chiang Mai city center, it is definitely worth visiting. There is an elevator to take you to the top from the parking, but there are also stairs which are super short, so both options are equally convenient. There is a market at the bottom close to parking, with a huge choice of souvenirs and clothes is. Since drivers usually refuse to go that far, the best deal is to arrange with them to drive you and wait there to take you back.

In September 2023, I finally arrived in Chiang Mai. My first trip to a place I read and watched so much about. But I got sick—bedridden for a couple of days, maybe COVID, maybe not, who knows? But even with that mess, the city left me smiling, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was the star of the show. The drive up there was wild. Winding roads snaking through the mountains, all green and alive, with views that hit you right in the chest. I’ll admit, those steep twists had me gripping the seat a little, but then you’d catch a glimpse of the valley below, and it was worth every second. Couldn’t look away. When I got to the temple, it was like walking into a postcard. That golden chedi gleaming under the sun—it’s the kind of sight that stops you in your tracks. The walls had these intricate carvings, like they were spilling out old stories if you stared long enough. I wandered around the complex for about an hour, taking it all in. The air felt calm, even with all the tourists chattering around me. It was this weird, peaceful bubble—my head cleared up, my stress melted, and for a bit, I forgot I’d been shivering and shaking the day before. The views from the temple grounds were impressive. Chiang Mai sprawled out below, all hazy and beautiful. I kept thinking, “I’d do this drive again in a heartbeat.” Sickness and all, that place filled me up—left me with this warm, happy buzz. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was the best part of the trip, hands down. I told myself that next time, I would come back healthy (and I did, a few weeks ago).

Experience is the key. Climbing the steps enhances the experience. There is a small fee for foreigners. A mixed crowd of ardent believers and curious visitors. The Golden pagoda is impressive. The entire area is calming. There is also a platform from where you can see the Chiang Mai airport and the plateau. Resting areas, rest rooms, drinking water facilities, koi pond etc. complete the experience. Lot of photographers crowded the sanctum (good or bad, depends on your objective) providing photos at 100Baht. Shared songthaews from West Gate(?) for 160 Baht per person was a good option to reach the temple.

Love the energy here so much. Good to meditate here and the view of the city is just relaxing. There weren't that many tourists while I was there on Friday morning. I had a great time.

The temple was absolutely amazing—we had a wonderful experience. During our visit, they were performing their traditional prayer ceremony (Aarti), and the atmosphere was truly special. The entire experience was deeply peaceful and memorable.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was one of the highlights of our Chiang Mai trip. We chose to climb the famous naga staircase—over 300 steps lined with intricately sculpted serpent figures—and felt a deep sense of calm with each step upward. At the top, we were greeted by the stunning golden chedi that shimmered under the sunlight. The whole temple complex was peaceful and beautifully maintained. I loved walking around the terrace, where we could ring bells for blessings and take in panoramic views of Chiang Mai far below. It really gave us a sense of how high up we were, both physically and spiritually. What stood out for us was not just the architecture, but the atmosphere. Despite being a popular tourist spot, the temple retained a serene and sacred vibe. We saw locals offering prayers, monks meditating, and families paying respect. Definitely remember to dress modestly and remove your shoes at the designated areas. This temple isn’t just a sightseeing destination—it’s a living place of worship and tradition. Highly recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowd and to see the temple glowing in soft morning light.