Doi Suthep Temple
Doi Suthep
Some 10 miles (15km) west of Chiang Mai lies the Doi Suthep
Mountain, famous for the Wat Phrathat temple perched on the summit.
Legend has it that in the late 14th century King Ku Na was looking
for somewhere to house a collection of holy relics. He placed them
in a howdah (canopied seat) on the back of an elephant and let the
animal wander. The elephant proceeded to climb Doi Suthep, on top
of which it trumpeted, turned round three times and knelt to
indicate that this was the spot. Wat Phrathat can be reached either
by a flight of 290 steps, or by funicular, and offers breathtaking
views of the countryside.
Website: www.doisuthep.com/english.html;
Transport: Songthaews (red taxi trucks)leave from in front of Chaing Mai University and in front of the Chaing Mai Zoo. They cost around B 30 per person one way;
Opening time: Daily 6am to 8pm;
Admission: B 30, or B 50 including a return funicular ride
