Locals would say, “You haven’t really gone to Chiang Mai unless you’ve been to Wat Phratat Doi Suthep”. Truly, the place is the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent royal regalia.

The temple’s courtyard is lined by a cloister, which contains images and murals depicting Buddha’s life. There are also two viharns situated in the middle of the east and west sides of the cloister.
This temple is 15 kilometers from town and is 3,520 feet above sea level. It is the perfect place to get a bird’s eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or railcars. The temple is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m

In the old days, it was very difficult for people to reach the summit of Suthep mountain. The road was narrow and bumpy, climbing through jungle. On foot, the journey took about five hours to reach the summit. There was a well known saying in the old days that reaching the pagoda was limited to those strongly devoted.

In the year B/E 2477 (1934 A.D.) Kruba Srivichai, the most revered monk of Lanna Thai, came to Chiang Mai to initiate the road construction project. The ground breaking ceremony was performed by Chow Keo Navarat, ruler of Chiang Mai. The ceremony took place at the front of the modern Chiang Mai Zoo in November 2477.

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