Doi Suthep mountain towers over the city of Chiang Mai, and at its summit stands one of Thailand's most popular temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. A long staircase with 309 steps, each shaped like a dragon's body, leads up to the temple (alternatively, it can be easily reached by taxi). On a clear day, the view from the top over the valley is breathtaking.

Entrance to the temple: 50 Baht. Price for the cable car ride to the top, if you don't take the stairs: 50 Baht. Note: It's also interesting to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at sunrise to witness and/or participate in the offerings to the monks and have the temple almost to yourself. In this case, you must reserve your red car the day before.

Doi Suthep Temple is located 15 kilometers from Chiang Mai and is accessible via a winding mountain road. The Doi Suthep bus line departs near Chiang Mai Zoo and takes you to the temple for 30 THB per person. These red shared taxis only depart when they have at least 10 passengers (or charge a small surcharge). From Chiang Mai's historic center or anywhere else in the city, take a red shared taxi and request to be dropped off at the Doi Suthep bus station, specifically at the Doi Suthep bus line stop (30 THB per person from the historic center). On your return from Doi Suthep, you can use the same red shared taxis to be dropped off directly at Thapae Gate for 60 THB. Alternatively, red cars offer to take you from the city to Doi Suthep, wait for you during your visit, and then drive you back to the city for 400 THB (regardless of the number of people). If you are traveling in a group of more than two people, this is probably a better option than the Doi Suthep shuttle service.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 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 Suthep? The temple is 15 kilometers from Chiang Mai and is reached via a winding road up the mountain. The Doi Suthep Line departs near the Chiang Mai Zoo and takes you to the temple for 30 THB per person. The red pickup trucks on this line only depart when there are at least 10 passengers on board (or charge a small surcharge). From Chiang Mai's historic center or anywhere else in the city, take a red pickup truck and tell the driver at the Doi Suthep bus stop that you want to be dropped off where the Doi Suthep Line departs (30 THB per person from the historic center). When returning from Doi Suthep, you can use the same red pickup trucks to be dropped off directly at Thapae Gate for 60 THB. Alternatively, red cars offer to take you from the city to Doi Suthep, wait for you during your visit, and then drive you back to the city for 400 THB (regardless of the number of people). If you are more than two people, this is probably a better option than the Doi Suthep Line.