Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | A Temple Worth Visiting in Thailand

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located on the 1600-meter-high Doi Suthep Mountain, south of the old city of Chiang Mai, hence it is also known as 'Doi Suthep Temple'. To get there from the old city of Chiang Mai, you can take a songthaew, first to Chiang Mai University, and then transfer to a songthaew that goes directly to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Of course, you can also choose to hire a car or ride a motorcycle, but there are many mountain roads along the way, so if riding a motorcycle, pay extra attention to safety. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of Thailand's historic temples, with a history of over 600 years, and it has a magical history. It is said that a Sri Lankan monk once carried Buddha's relics to Thailand. Fearing that others would steal the relics, he hid them in a white elephant and let it roam freely. Eventually, the elephant reached Doi Suthep Mountain, and that's where the temple was built. Therefore, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is also a temple that was built on a site chosen by a white elephant. Moreover, the construction of the temple was funded by the Thai royal family, making it a royal temple. Due to its location on a high mountain, surrounded by forests with a high coverage of vegetation, the environment is beautiful, with flowers blooming in all seasons and fresh air, making it a true Buddhist summer retreat. The architecture of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is particularly splendid, with yellow glazed tiles that in the past could only be used in royal buildings. The architectural style is also purely Thai, with even the ground covered with tiles, making it one of the most resplendent temples in Thailand. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep houses three treasures: the Buddha's relic, the statue of the Buddha, and a crystal lotus given by King Rama IX. The crystal curtain flower is made of various gems and is now placed at the very top of the stupa, attracting devotees from many countries around the world to come and worship.