Doi Suthep and Hmong Hill Tribe Village

Ascend into the Doi Suthep-Doi Pui mountain park and visit ornate Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

The city of Chiang Mai lies on the plain, but it is dominated by the backdrop of the twin peak Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park, rising to 5250 ft. Near the summit of Doi Suthep, one finds the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, an important pilgrimage site for Northern Thailand. Its gold-plated chedi can be seen glistening in the morning sunlight from the city below.

The temple was founded in the late 1300s, its location apparently was chosen by a white elephant which was pursued by the Lanna king Kuena. The elephant ascended the peak, trumpeted, turned around three times, then died!

There is a memorial to the beast on the temple grounds.

Ascent today is via a Naga staircase of almost 300 steps, but for a small extra charge, one can take a cable car. There are splendid views from the temple over Chiang Mai city.

The visit also includes time at a Hmong tribal village.