Doi Suthep Temple
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the golden-chedi temple 15 km above Chiang Mai, up 306 naga steps. ฿30 for foreigners, best at first light.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 05:00–21:00
- Entry
- ฿30
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
How to visit Doi Suthep Temple
Go on your own by red songthaew at dawn, or book a sunrise tour if you'd rather not sort out transport up the mountain in the dark.
On your own
Entry is ฿30. A shared red songthaew up the mountain is ฿40–50 per person, or ฿300–500 to charter one. Climb the 306 steps of the naga staircase or take the funicular for ฿20–50, walk the chedi clockwise three times as the pilgrims do, and be on your way down by 09:00, when the tourist coaches arrive.
With a guide
SponsoredDoi Suthep, Wat Umong, and Pha Lat Sunrise Tour
It gets you to the terrace early, as above, and adds the forest temples of Wat Umong and Wat Pha Lat on the way.
See this tour on GetYourGuide
Finding your way around Doi Suthep Temple
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
Getting there and around
- Shared red songthaews leave from Chang Phuak Gate on the north side of the Old City, ฿40 to ฿50 a person once they fill.
- The Monk's Trail climbs through the forest from the western edge of the city to Wat Pha Lat, partway up. The last stretch to the top is by road, so most hikers take a songthaew from Wat Pha Lat.
- At the top, climb the 306 naga steps or take the cable car beside them.
Details
- Phone
- 053 295 003
Full opening hours
Why go, and how to do it well
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the temple on the mountain west of Chiang Mai, about 15 km from the city and roughly 1,070 meters up, and it's the holiest site in the north. It dates to 1383, and its golden chedi holds a relic of the Buddha, ringed by shrines, Buddha images and bells that people ring as they walk the circuit. You reach the terrace up 306 steps flanked by naga serpents, or by the cable car beside them.
Timing is everything here. The gates open at 05:00, and arriving then rather than at 11:00 is the difference between a quiet hilltop and a line on the staircase. Sunrise over the valley draws a small, hushed crowd, and the views over Chiang Mai are best before the haze builds. From mid-February to April crop-burning smoke can hide the city completely, so go early in the day and early in the year if you can.
Foreign visitors pay ฿30 at the top. Cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off in the halls, and walk the chedi clockwise as pilgrims do. Shared red songthaews run up from Chang Phuak Gate for ฿40 to ฿50 a person, or hike the forest Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat, partway up the mountain, where recent visitors report a ฿100 trail fee for foreign adults. Doi Pui village and Bhubing Palace are further up the same road if you have a driver waiting.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of Doi Suthep Temple
SponsoredSearch Chiang Mai hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.
See hotels near Doi Suthep TempleOpens Booking.com with your dates
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Doi Suthep Temple, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
am always happy to have the opportunity to pay homage to the Buddha's relics at this sacred place. Every time I visit, I feel energized and peaceful in my life. I intend to visit every year. The atmosphere is especially wonderful during the winter months. I recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid crowds. There is convenient parking nearby, just one street away. The history of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Ratchaworawihan dates back to 1927 during the reign of King Kue Na of Lanna. The Buddha's relics were brought from Si Satchanalai, and a sacred elephant was used to determine the location for their enshrinement. The elephant stopped at the summit of Doi Suthep, leading to the construction of a Mon-style pagoda to house the relics. Later, renovations and additional structures were built around the pagoda. Kruba Sriwichai also built a road up the mountain, making it easier for people to visit. Currently, it is the sacred pagoda associated with those born in the Year of the Goat.
We went up very early in the morning to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to catch the sunrise, and the view was absolutely stunning. There were quite a number of people there as well, all quietly enjoying the beautiful moment as the sun rose over Chiang Mai. After sunrise, we walked around the temple grounds. The golden pagoda shone brilliantly as the sunlight reflected off it, creating a truly breathtaking sight. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, and just being there made us feel a deep sense of serenity. Highly recommend visiting, especially early in the morning for the sunrise experience.
The journey up to the temple is especially memorable, with the long, iconic staircase lined by beautiful naga (serpent) sculptures on both sides. Climbing the stairs feels rewarding and adds to the spiritual atmosphere of the visit. For those who prefer an easier option, there is also a cable car available, making the temple accessible to everyone. To enter the temple grounds, visitors are required to pay an entrance fee, which is reasonable and helps with the maintenance of this historic site. At the top, the golden chedi is stunning, the grounds are peaceful, and the views over Chiang Mai are absolutely breathtaking. This temple perfectly combines culture, spirituality, and natural beauty, and is truly a must-visit landmark.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 12,029 reviews on Google.
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 3.4 km of Doi Suthep Temple.
Wat Pha Lat
Bhubing Palace
San Ku
CMU Clock Tower
Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Doi Suthep Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the entrance fee for Doi Suthep?
Foreign visitors pay ฿30 at the top. The cable car beside the staircase has its own small fare, and the 306 steps are free.
How do I get to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep?
Take a shared red songthaew from Chang Phuak Gate (฿40 to ฿50), a Grab, or hike the Monk's Trail to Wat Pha Lat. The temple is about 15 km from the city and the drive takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
What time does Doi Suthep open?
The gates open at 05:00. Arrive early for sunrise and an empty staircase, because tour vans arrive from late morning.
What should I wear to Doi Suthep?
Cover shoulders and knees, and wear shoes you can slip off in the halls. It's cooler on the mountain than in town, especially at dawn.
Is Doi Suthep Temple worth visiting?
Doi Suthep Temple holds a 4.7★ rating from 12,029 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit Doi Suthep Temple?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).
Also popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
Lang Mor Night Market
Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant
Samasati Yoga House Chiang Mai
Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Wat Phra That Mae Yen
Ban Rai Temple, Luang Phor Koon
