Doi Suthep Virtual Tour

A virtual tour of Doi Suthep mountain, including the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, the Hmong village of Doi Pui and the San Ku ancient chedi.

Doi Suthep Virtual Tour
A virtual tour of Doi Suthep mountain, including the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, the Hmong village of Doi Pui and the San Ku ancient chedi.
San Ku Forest Chedi May 2015 Panorama
The western side of the San Ku ancient forest chedi.

San Ku is an ancient chedi in the forest. A very mysterious place that is recommended to visit. It's on the way to the peak of Doi Suthep and there are no road signs pointing to it. The chedi is now over 700 years old. The inscription reads: " In 1983, the Fine Arts Department began excavation and renovation work at San Ku at the wish of H.R.H. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who had learned that this ancient historical site had been looted and savaged for a long time.

Before restoration, San Ku was an ancient earth mound densely covered by trees. When earth and soil were removed, remains of chedi and wihan bases appeared. Exploration of the pit in the middle of the chedi base revealed many important historical artifacts. It was estimated that San Ku dates from 13th century A.D."
San Ku Forest Chedi Southern Side May 2015 Panorama
The southern side of the San Ku ancient forest chedi. There are still worshippers coming to the chedi to make merit more than 700 years after it was constructed.

San Ku is an ancient chedi in the forest. A very mysterious place that is recommended to visit. It's on the way to the peak of Doi Suthep and there are no road signs pointing to it. The chedi is now over 700 years old. The inscription reads: " In 1983, the Fine Arts Department began excavation and renovation work at San Ku at the wish of H.R.H. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who had learned that this ancient historical site had been looted and savaged for a long time.

Before restoration, San Ku was an ancient earth mound densely covered by trees. When earth and soil were removed, remains of chedi and wihan bases appeared. Exploration of the pit in the middle of the chedi base revealed many important historical artifacts. It was estimated that San Ku dates from 13th century A.D."
San Ku Forest Temple Wihan May 2015 Panorama
An ancient chedi in the dark forest. A very mysterious place that is recommended to visit. It's on the way to the peak of Doi Suthep and there are no road signs pointing to it. The chedi is now over 700 years old.

This panorama shows what was the wihan (วิหาร), Sanskir Vihara, the monk's meditation and dwelling place. Amazing to think there were orange robed monks sitting here in meditation 700 years ago, in the 1800s of the Buddhist era.
Flower Garden at the Hmong Village of Doi Pui May 2015 Panorama
The Hmong village of Doi Pui has become a tourist attraction in the few decades of its existence. It is just a short trip from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, so a visit is recommended. The townspeople sell the now popular embroidered fabrics and other trinkets and souvenirs.

There's also a flower garden further up the hill that has some opium poppies. It could be that these Hmong traditional costumes are for rent somewhere. A couple taking pictures is visible in the panorama.
Back Down from Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep 2015 Panorama
Back down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Now off further up the mountain to Doi Pui.
Going Down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep 2015
Going down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Much easier than going up and a nice way to wrap up an unforgettable visit.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi in Sunny Weather Panorama 2015
A final view of the splendor of the Wat Phratat Chedi in sunshine.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi with Butterfly
Another place to worship under an awning to protect the faithful from the sun. And another selection of revered Buddha statues. The panorama also contains the lucky shot of a butterfly exactly over the tip of the chedi.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi in Sunny Weather Panorama 2015
The splendor of the golden chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep really only comes out in the sunshine. In the foreground a selection of seven Buddha statues can be seen. Each statue's posture denotes a day of the week and worshippers pay merit to the statue that represents the weekday they were born.

It starts with the statue for Sunday on the left. The reclining Buddha (colloquially known as Phra Norn) represents Tuesday.

There is also a miniature version of the chedi, another way to make merit by throwing coins into the water.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Viewing Terrace May 2015
On the newly constructed viewing platform, standing close to the railing for a better view of Chiang Mai. For a really good view, be sure to check out our gigapixel panoramas that would be impossible to photograph today for reasons of obstruction.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Viewing Terrace May 2015
On the newly constructed viewing platform. As the erstwhile main view from the main terrace is blocked by construction and ever growing trees, the temple decided to undertake another construction project and construct a viewing platform with a garishly decorated sala-abstraction. The view is stunning anyway.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi Sermon Hall May 2015
A newly constructed sermon hall on the terrace of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. A solid teak construction that may become interesting in a few hundred years time.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi South-Western Corner May 2015
Another perspective of the Golden Stupa (Chedi) Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple. The chedi is surrounde by several prayer halls where monks recite sermons and sprinkle holy water on worshippers. It also has four additional Htis on each corner, whose base is adorned with elephants, perhaps reminiscing of the Legend of Doi Suthep.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chedi May 2015
This panorama shows the Golden Stupa (Chedi) Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple. The chedi used to be copper-plated but the temple's wealth has allowed it to go for a gold plating. The mountain and the temple are named after the hermit Sudeva who used to live on the mountain slopes for many years. The Wat Prathat Doi Suthep was established in 1383 under King Keu Naone. It is one of Northern Thailand's most sacred temples and definitely a must-visit when in Chiang Mai.

Worshippers and merit-makers walk around the chedi in a clockwise direction, holding a single lotus flower and some incense in their hands, while reciting prayers.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Arrival Area May 2015
Arrival Area of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple

After paying the entrance fee, here's it's time to take off your shoes and to cover up for those who are 'improperly' dressed, such as with hot pants or short skirts. Then it's time to climb the stair to the chedi area.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Stairs Up May 2015
Going up to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple

A panorama taken in about a minute, on the naga staircase going up to Doi Suthep temple, at about the half-way point.
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep at the Bottom of the Stairs 2015 Panorama
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep at the Bottom of the Stairs 2015 Panorama

It's 309 steps to the temple. The naga (mythical serpent) staircase is shady and the altitude of about 1500 meters lowers temperatures. Alas, all but the fittest will get slightly out of breath at the end of the climb. Bring water and wear a hat.

If for any reason, the merit-bestowing activity of climbing up to the temple is beyond you, you can take a tram train that goes up to the temple and down again for a fee of a few baht.

At the top, an entrance fee of 30 Baht (stable for many years) has to be paid by foreigners. The temple hasn't been able to raise the fee because of public pushback.
Phra Thep Statue Doi Suthep Panorama
Phra Thep Statue Doi Suthep 2015 Panorama

The sitting statue of a famous monk, Pra Thep Worasittajan who was once the abbot of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. This gigantomanic reverence of Buddhist monks is a rather new phenomenon and is certainly not commensurate with Buddhist principles. It's probably meant to impress tourists and reflects the ever increasing wealth of the temple.