Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: Temple Visit Guide
Photo: Nat Weerawong / Unsplash
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most important temple in Chiang Mai, and it sits on Doi Suthep hill, 11 kilometres from the city centre.[1] Seven-headed serpent statues line the stairs up to a golden pagoda in Chiang Saen style, surrounded by Lanna architecture.[1] From the terrace you look out over the whole of Chiang Mai.
By car, follow the road from Huai Kaew past Chiang Mai University and the Chiang Mai Zoo; the turn-off to the temple is signposted.[1] Small buses also run from Chiang Mai University between 05:00 and 17:00.[1] Agree on the ride back with your driver before you head uphill.
What to see
Start with the golden pagoda and the temple buildings around it, then go back to the stairway and look closely at the serpents. Walk to the terrace for the view over Chiang Mai; haze or cloud can soften it, so a clear morning is your best bet. This is a working place of worship, so give people room to pray and follow the instructions posted on site.
Each year the Tiaw Khuen Doi festival brings pilgrims up the hill to honour the relics enshrined here.[1]
Things to Do
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Choose your route
You have two ways to reach the temple: climb the serpent stairs, which make a great photo spot, or ride the electric tram.[1] The tram runs from 06:00 to 18:00 and costs 50 THB for foreigners.[1] Entry to the temple costs 30 THB for foreign adults.[1]
Plan on about half a day for the ride up, time at the temple and the return. Leave extra if you like to take it slowly.
For more ideas for a Chiang Mai itinerary, see our Thailand travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
A golden pagoda in Chiang Saen style, Lanna architecture, seven-headed serpent statues along the stairs, and a view over Chiang Mai. It is also an active place of worship.
It stands on Doi Suthep hill, about 11 kilometres from the centre of Chiang Mai, off Huai Kaew Road.
Drive up from Huai Kaew Road past Chiang Mai University, or take one of the small buses that leave from the university between 05:00 and 17:00. Arrange your ride back before you go up.
No. You can climb the serpent stairs or take the electric tram, which runs from 06:00 to 18:00 and costs 50 THB for foreigners.
About half a day covers the trip up, time at the temple and the return. Allow more if you want to go slowly.
Entry is 30 THB for foreign adults. The tram costs 50 THB for foreigners on top of that.
No. It is a temple and an active place of worship as well as a viewpoint, so give worshippers room and follow the posted guidance.
