Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a revered Theravada Buddhist temple located on Doi Suthep mountain, about 15 km northwest of Chiang Mai city in Suthep Subdistrict. Founded in 1383 during the Lanna Kingdom, it enshrines a relic of the Buddha in its gilded chedi. The temple is known for its 306-step Naga staircase, panoramic views over Chiang Mai, and its status as the most sacred temple in northern Thailand.

Visitors can expect a mountaintop temple complex within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park reached via a winding mountain road, a 306-step Naga balustrade staircase or a cable tram to the terrace. The complex includes a gold-plated chedi enshrining a Buddha relic, viharns, shrines, murals, and gilded statues. The terrace offers panoramic views of Chiang Mai city. The site includes souvenir shops, food stalls, and areas for worship and photography.

Founded in 1383 during the reign of King Keu Na of the Lanna Kingdom to enshrine a relic of the Buddha. According to tradition, the relic was placed on a white elephant which climbed Doi Suthep and trumpeted before dying, marking the site for the temple. The temple has been expanded and restored over centuries and remains a major pilgrimage site of the Lanna period.

The most sacred Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand, serving as an important pilgrimage destination for Theravada Buddhists. It is a symbol of Chiang Mai city and Lanna culture, hosting annual religious festivals and daily worship, and is regarded as a spiritual landmark for the region.