Doi Suthep – my favorite temple in Chiang Mai (Day 10)

Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by PowersToTravel

It appears we have left the best for last!  For our last temple visit in Chiang Mai Bom took us up a funicular to the mountaintop temple called Doi Suthep.  Actually the funicular was not terribly exciting, similar as it was to an elevator going up a dark shaft.  We had previously driven fifteen kilometers outside of the city, and up a mountain road.  The funicular was just the icing on the cake – it was either that or a 309 step climb to the mountaintop.  We chose the funicular, in spite of the line.

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Upon our arrival at the top, we were greeted by a festival-like environment of…  rest rooms and tiny shrines, flowers, statues and donation boxes.

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

While at many temples we had encountered the Gong, a huge metal plate which we would strike with a large wooden mallet, for good luck, here we encountered Bells… Bells of all shapes, colors and sizes, and for all sizes of people as well:

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai ThailandDoi Suthep - Chiang Mai ThailandDoi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

I think we stored up enough good luck for the next year, here at Doi Suthep!

While we were playing games, others were here for more serious contemplation:

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

The temple complex, like so many we have seen, explodes in color and texture.

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Does that sign below the naga above really say “Mom”?  Hmmmm.


Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand
Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Greg is always trying to organize people into the pictures.  It’s not been my thing, but at Wat Phrasinga, with the hill tribe hats, and here at Doi Suthep, it felt as festive as the temple itself:

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

The view from the top was less inspiring than it could have been.  It was sad that in all our days at Chiang Mai we never saw the sun.  Happy though that it didn’t rain on us!

Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai Thailand

Related Links

Chiang Mai Tour Center

Once again, for stories of the temple’s history, check out this site

Check out this article of mine too:

Thailand Travel Blog – Itinerary, Impressions and Diabetic Travel Tips

One Comment:

  1. So glad you had time for Doi Suthep, but sorry about the weather. The colors do gleam in you photographs. As to “mom” it says to me “she has her eyes on you”. thanks for the tour.

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