Wat Phra That Doi Saket is a Buddhist temple located about 30 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai on Doi Saket, a small hill. It was built in 1112. Legend has it that Buddha once came to Doi Saket and was visited by a Naka (reverend), to whom he offered his hair as a form of worship. Like Doi Suthep Temple, Wat Doi Saket's main feature is the golden chedi, which houses a relic of Buddha. The interior walls of the ordination hall are decorated with modern spiritual murals by the Thai artist Khun Chaiwat Wannanon. It's a very beautiful temple that isn't overcrowded, which I personally appreciate. The temple also features a large seated Buddha statue outdoors, with a small museum beneath it and two large trees in the courtyard. The temple can be reached via a long staircase or the road leading up to it. Yellow songthaews (shared taxis) that travel there from Chiang Mai usually stop at the bottom of the stairs. A little further up is another temple with a large Buddha statue still under construction (entry is free). From its platform, there is a magnificent view over Wat Phra That Doi Saket and the valley. A little further away is a garden with statues depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.

Free admission. Open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To get to Doi Saket from Chiang Mai using public transport, go to Warorot Market and look for the yellow shared taxis (songthaews). I don't know the departure times, but the fare should be around 35 THB. Be sure to check the return transport options before you travel to avoid any problems getting back to Chiang Mai. It's best to travel by car.

Wat Phra That Doi Saket is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Wat Phra That Doi Saket? To get to Doi Saket from Chiang Mai using public transport, go to Warorot Market and look for the yellow shared taxis (songthaews). I don't know the departure times, but the fare should be around 35 THB. Be sure to check the return transport options before you travel to avoid any problems getting back to Chiang Mai. It's best to travel by car.