Phra That Doi Suthep is the most important temple in Chiang Mai Province. It is located on Doi Suthep, near Chiang Mai city. First-time tourists to Chiang Mai usually come to visit and worship for good fortune. Inside the temple is a Chiang Saen-style pagoda with a high base, tapering bell-shaped corners, octagonal, covered with two layers of gold leaf, more than 500 years old.
The way up to the temple is through more than 300 Naga stairs or you can take the electric tram. When you get to the temple, you have to take off your shoes before you can enter the temple. Inside the temple, there is a pagoda in the middle that you can walk around. Tourists often worship and take souvenir photos.
At the temple grounds, there is a viewpoint where you can clearly see Chiang Mai city and Chiang Mai Airport.
According to the history of Doi Suthep, it is believed that this mountain was originally the home of a hermit named "Sutewa", which is the same as the word Suthep, the origin of the name of this high mountain. As for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, it was built at the beginning of the 19th Buddhist century during the reign of Phra Chao Kue Na Thammarat, the 6th ruler of Chiang Mai of the Lanna Kingdom, Mangrai Dynasty, to enshrine the relics of the Lord Buddha that he had invited from the city of Si Satchanalai.
Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan or Wat Chotikaram is an old royal temple in Chiang Mai that has become an inspiration for the creation of Lanna-style art by later artists. Inside the temple, there are many interesting buildings worth seeing.
1. The Lanna-style royal chapel, located in the center. This chapel was built by Chao Khun Ubali, Khun Pramacharn, and Chao Kaew Nawarat in 1928. Inside is the principal Buddha image, Phra Attharot, in the attitude of presiding over an apology, in early Chiang Mai art influenced by Pala (Indian) art. It is cast in bronze and 18 cubits high. In front of the entrance to the chapel, there is a staircase of Naga slithering up with their tails intertwined to form a beautiful temple arch. This pair of Naga is an ancient work of art and is considered the most beautiful Naga in the North.
2. The largest pagoda in Chiang Mai Province, built during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, the 7th king of the Mangrai Dynasty (1913-1954). Later, Phraya Tilokarat ordered the craftsmen to expand the pagoda to be taller and wider than before. It was completed in 2024 and the Emerald Buddha was enshrined between 2011-2091, a period of 80 years. Later, in 2088 during the reign of Queen Jiraprapa, an earthquake occurred, causing the top of the pagoda to collapse. At present, the pagoda is 40.8 meters high and the base is 60 meters wide on each side.
3. Inthakhil Pillar or City Pillar, built when King Mangrai the Great established Chiang Mai in 1839, is enshrined in a small Thai-style four-sided chapel. This Inthakhil Pillar is made of large logs and buried underground. Every year on the 12th waning day of the 8th lunar month (northern) or around May, there is a "Entering Inthakhil" event to celebrate the city pillar. - Other interesting places include the Buraphachan Shrine, Phra Ajahn Man Shrine, and the Sala Rai enshrining the Reclining Buddha. Dharma Hall and Museum and the Giant Shrine
Chiang Mai is a location jam-packed with exciting experiences, and this is one of the most unique. The Sticky Waterfall, also known as Bua Thong Waterfall, is a remarkable natural wonder nestled in the Namtok Bua Tong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park, just under 60 kilometers north of Chiang Mai. Its unique geological composition distinguishes this waterfall from Thailand's many other waterfalls. The porous limestone rocks of Bua Thong possess a rare quality – they're astonishingly "sticky." This allows visitors to climb directly up the waterfall without slipping, a phenomenon that has made it an internationally renowned attraction.
Surrounded by lush forest and vibrant flora, the Sticky Waterfall is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Chiang Mai. The waterfall is composed of multiple tiers, each of which offers a different climbing experience. The tiers can be climbed entirely at your own pace, with lower levels offering a gentle introduction to climbing while higher sections provide a more challenging ascent.
The best time to visit the Sticky Waterfall is during the dry season, which typically spans from November to April. The dry season offers the best conditions for climbing the waterfall. The limestone rocks are less slippery with reduced water flow, allowing for a safer and more enjoyable climbing experience. In addition to this, temperatures are pleasant during this season, ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), making it comfortable for outdoor activities. If you visit at the start of the dry season (November/October), the water flow will still be powerful, and the area surrounding the waterfalls will be lush and green.
The Sticky Waterfall is open year-round, so visiting during the rainy season is still possible. Just bear in mind that the experience will be even more exhilarating the faster the flow of water!