Wat Pra That Doi Suthep

There are many temples in Thailand, but Wat Pra Thai Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai is something you have to check out. This temple is a beauty to behold and is one of the most important and most revered of all temples in Thailand. It’s also a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

The daunting staircase was built back in 1557 and comprises of 306 steps from bottom to top. The side rails are the bodies of serpents, which are known to ward off evil spirits and protect the people up in the top of the absolutely beautiful temple.

Once you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll see the White Elephant, who – it is said – chose the site of the temple. According to legend, the elephant came with a relic of Buddha on its back from India. They sent the elephant to the top of the hill where it walked around in three circles, knelt down and died. This was said to be a sign that this is the place to build the temple.

You will find many small shrines in the temples courtyard, as well as gardens and shady trees. This is the perfect place to take a stroll before the main attraction: The central chedi. This chedi is the number one attraction in Chiang Mai and although there are so many things to do around this area, you just have to visit the Wat Pra Thai Doi Suthep temple.

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