Wat Chiang Man
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
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Photo: ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เทวประภาส มากคล้าย, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Hours
- Daily, roughly 6:00–20:00; some sources say 5:00–21:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entry for foreigners
- About 30 baht
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Funicular
- About 20 baht — instead of the stairs
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Stairs
- About 306–309 naga-lined steps from the car park
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off in the inner courtyard
- Distance
- ≈ 17 km from the Old City, 30–40 minutes by songthaew or Grab
Key facts
1,073 mthe temple's elevation
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English Wikipedia1383the first stupa was built, according to legend
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English WikipediaWhite elephantlegend says it carried the relic and stopped on this mountain, choosing the site
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English Wikipedia24 mthe height of the gilded stupa, in typical northern style
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English Wikipedia≈ 309steps lead up to the temple; a funicular runs alongside
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English Wikipedia1935the first road to the temple was built
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English Wikipedia15 kmfrom Chiang Mai city to the temple
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English WikipediaMonk's Traila hiking path to the temple starts in the foothills behind the university
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English WikipediaEntry fee, funicular and hours
According to guides, entry for foreigners costs about 30 baht and the funicular from the car park about 20; Thai citizens enter free. The temple is open daily from about 6:00 to 20:00 (some sources say 5:00–21:00). It has no official website.
Since October 2025, Doi Suthep–Pui National Park charges foreigners a park entry fee, but according to Chiang Mai CityLife this doesn't apply to visitors going to the temple by the main road.
What is Doi Suthep?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep mountain (the name often used for the temple itself), 15 km from Chiang Mai at 1,073 m. It's one of northern Thailand's holiest sites. Legend says the first stupa was built in 1383: a king of Lanna placed a Buddha relic on a white elephant's back and released it into the jungle, and the elephant climbed this mountain — so the temple was built here.
At its heart stands a 24 m gilded stupa in northern style with a tiered parasol. The viewing terrace looks out over all of Chiang Mai. A road to the temple was only built in 1935; before that, pilgrims walked up.
What to see
- The gilded stupa, 24 m tall, in the inner courtyard.
- The seven-headed naga staircase from the car park.
- The viewing terrace — a panorama of Chiang Mai.
- The white elephant statue — a nod to the legend.
- Murals and halls around the stupa.
- Bells along the gallery.
How to get to Doi Suthep
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- By red songthaew from the Chiang Mai University gate on Huay Kaew Road; they leave once full and take 30–40 minutes uphill.
- By Grab or taxi — about 17 km from the Old City, 30–40 minutes.
- On foot via the Monk's Trail — it starts in the foothills behind the university and passes Wat Pha Lat.
- By scooter — a winding mountain road; take care on the descent.
- From the car park, take the naga staircase or the funicular.
How long do you need, and when to go?
Allow 1–1.5 hours at the temple, half a day with the journey. Morning, before the groups, or evening is best: at sunset the city below lights up. Clear skies and good views are most likely November to February; in spring the valley is often hazy.
Bhubing Palace and Doi Pui village are further up the road and can be combined in one trip.
Is Doi Suthep worth it?
Yes: it's Chiang Mai's signature temple — beautiful, cheap and with the best view of the city. A trip to Chiang Mai feels incomplete without it.
The YesGo take: it's crowded by day, and in spring the view is often lost in haze. Go early and check the air-quality forecast. If you like walking, climb the Monk's Trail — it makes the trip far more memorable.
Before you go: checklist
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Chiang Mai temples: compare and choose
Chiang Mai temples rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Wat Chiang Man | 44 | 30 min | Free | 7.2 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Umong | 40 | 1 h | Free | 4.1 km |
| Wat Chedi Luang | 39 | 1 h | ≈ 40–50 baht | 7.1 km |
| Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) | 39 | 30 min | ≈ 50 baht | 7.1 km |
| Wat Phra Singh | 38 | 45 min | grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht | 6.5 km |
| Wat Phra That Doi Suthepyou are here | 31 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20 | — |
Chiang Mai temples in a day
Doi Suthep on the mountain in the morning, then Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang in the Old City. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthepyou are here1 h 30 min · ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20
- 113 min walk from the previous stopWat Phra Singh45 min · grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht
- 10 min walk from the previous stopWat Chedi Luang1 h · ≈ 40–50 baht
3 places · about 5 h 18 min with walks · 123 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- The best city view is from the terrace by the stupa.
- Before 8:00 there are hardly any groups.
- The songthaew at the university leaves once 8–10 people are aboard.
- Walk down the stairs — it's easier than going up.
- In the afternoon: Wat Chedi Luang in the Old City.
Questions
How much is entry to Doi Suthep?
About 30 baht for foreigners; the funicular is about 20 baht (according to guides).
What are Doi Suthep's opening hours?
Daily, roughly 6:00 to 20:00.
How many steps are there at Doi Suthep?
About 306–309 naga-lined steps; there's a funicular too.
How do I get to Doi Suthep?
By red songthaew from the university gate or by Grab — 30–40 minutes.
Do I pay the national park fee?
According to local press, not if you're visiting the temple by the main road.
What is the dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered; shoes off in the inner courtyard.
When is the best time to go?
Early morning or for sunset; November to February has the clearest views.
How long do you need?
1–1.5 hours at the temple, half a day with the journey.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: elevation, white elephant legend, 1383, 24 m stupa, steps, funicular, 1935 road, Monk's Trail
- 2026 travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide and others) — entry, funicular, hours (unofficial)
- Chiang Mai CityLife (2025) — national park fee and the temple exemption
- Wikidata Q1517698 — coordinates; OSRM route — distance from the Old City
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