Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

The white chedis are the real reason to visit. Wat Suan Dok was founded in 1370/71 by King Kue Na of Lanna for the monk Maha Sumana Thera from Sukhothai to house a Buddha relic. The large, 48-meter-high, bell-shaped golden chedi, built in typical Sri Lankan style, still contains this relic today. Next to it are the whitewashed reliquaries of the royal family of Chiang Mai, whose ashes were interred here in 1907. Standing among them is a completely different experience than the opulent temple tour within the walls.

Here you also have the opportunity for a personal conversation with a monk. The "Monk Chat," run by the Buddhist university campus on the temple grounds, is open Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and is free of charge. The monk students are just as curious about you as you are about them. The same office organizes meditation retreats, half-day and full-day courses during the week, as well as a two-day retreat once a month. As the schedule changes seasonally, please check monkchat.net and register there.

In the afternoons, the place is otherwise quiet, and the soft lighting in the main hall is frequently praised in reviews. Take time to admire the resting place of damaged Buddha statues, some of which were rescued from abandoned temples, and the pond teeming with fish and turtles. Chickens roam freely, and in some places, you'll see scaffolding where restoration work is underway.

The grounds are open to the public. One visitor reported seeing a sign in the main hall indicating "20 Baht"; therefore, bring some small change for this amount or a donation. The temple is generally open from approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes inside. The temple is located on Suthep Road, about 1 km west of the Suan Dok Gate. From the castle moat, it is a 15-minute walk or a short ride in a red songthaew (shared taxi) for 30 Baht per person.