Doi Suthep is the mountain that overlooks the city of Chiang Mai from the northwest. From the city, its presence adds beauty and dimension to the horizon, and from the mountain, it provides an amazing views of the city. But the natural beauty and views are not the main reasons that attract visitors to Suthep Mountain, but rather the beautiful temple that adorns the summit is what brings most people here.
The temple is known as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and it is one of the most important and revered temples in Thailand. It claims its fame from a unique legend, beautiful location and amazing architecture. The saying in Chiang Mai goes:'If you haven't seen Doi Suthep, you haven't been to Chiang Mai". And I must admit, it was a highlight in our trip.
The legend goes that the Buddha relic that was about to be enshrined in the chedi of a temple called Wat Suan Dok(another gorgeous temple) ,had magically replicated. The cloned relic was then placed on the back of a white elephant,and the sacred elephant was allowed to roam wherever it pleased. It is said that the elephant climbed to the top of Suthep Mountain, trumpeted three times, turned around three times, knelt down and died. The king then took that as a sign that the relic wants to be enshrined there, and the temple was erected.
Because the temple is built on an elevation of 3464 feet, it is a nice escape from the heat of the city. It is located about 10 miles outside of Chiang Mai, and all taxi drivers are happy to take visitors there from Chiang Mai. The drive up the mountain is beautiful, one is surrounded by green trees and lush forests.The fact that it is a major tourist destination is evident as soon as the taxi parks there, for there are businesses and artists selling all kind of stuff, from crafts to paintings to Buddha offerings. I don't do well under pressure, and I ended up buying many souvenirs that day, many of them I will never use, but people were nice and tourism is down, so I looked at it as doing my part to revive the Thai economy.
After we started to pretend to be deaf(and blind), and managed to pass all the sellers, we were awed by the beautiful Naga staircase, that we had to climb all 306 steps of, to get to the temple.
I believe there is a funicular that one can buy tickets to and take the cable car up to the temple, but we wanted to take the stairs. At the top of the staircase, we were awarded by the gorgeous Wat Phrataht, all the gold was glowing under the morning sun, and I felt the need to stop and breath to try to take it in. The temple buildings are spread on a large courtyard, with golden chedi, golden Buddha images and golden everything else. It was amazingly stunning!
Comments (8)
Hi Candi, wonderful photos. The temple is very beautiful. Really stunning architecture. Kudos on climbing those stairs to the top. I found the story of how the temple became to be built there really interesting (the poor elephant).
Thank you so much for sharing your photos and for continuing to share your experiences. I can't wait to hear more. Have a great day today.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 24, 2009 5:35 AM
Posted on June 24, 2009 05:35
What a gorgeous place! Your photos are wonderful and really capture the magic of that beautiful temple. Good for you for doing your part to help the Thai economy. :)
Posted by Annie | June 24, 2009 6:26 AM
Posted on June 24, 2009 06:26
Candi, Astounding photos. I always love your post,from a simple but lovely view out your patio door to these photos..always something for the soul of a traveler to dwell and dream on. Thank you. by the way did you get my email request about the moon over maui photo? let me know. Thanks
bcwired@verizon.net
Posted by Barb Cabot | June 24, 2009 12:51 PM
Posted on June 24, 2009 12:51
The pictures from your trip are so lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by kendall | June 25, 2009 10:15 AM
Posted on June 25, 2009 10:15
Another set of amazing photos! You really saw some fabulous stuff on your trip. I have been curious about Thailand for a long time, but most people I know go only for sun and beach, so it is so cool to learn all this stuff. (There are direct charter flights from Norway to Thailand so a lot of people go!)
Posted by Chiocciola | June 25, 2009 6:36 PM
Posted on June 25, 2009 18:36
Gorgeous photos of a magnificent place! The staircase is so beautiful.
Posted by María I. | June 26, 2009 9:22 AM
Posted on June 26, 2009 09:22
Candi, your photos are glorious! What a beautiful site. Climbing those stairs in the heat must have been pretty tough (look what happened to that poor elephant!) But it was likely more interesting than riding the funicular!
Posted by sandrac | June 27, 2009 5:11 PM
Posted on June 27, 2009 17:11
Wow, amazing place! I can see why they have that saying. I would have taken the stairs also :) So much gold! I am really enjoying learning so much about Thailand.
Posted by girasoli | August 24, 2009 1:38 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 01:38