Chiang Mai City and Temples

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• Pick-up and drop-off from Chiang Mai Hotels
• Air-conditioned coach transportation
• Visits to the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok and the Wat Chedi Luang
• Services of an English-speaking guide

Chiang Mai and the surrounding area enjoy a wealth of exquisite Buddhist Temples. Locally referred to as ‘Wats’ these buildings are beautiful examples of Thai architecture and often full of holy treasures and ancient relics. This revealing tour introduces you to three of her most fascinating and renowned temples.  

The 600 year old Temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep can be found near the peak of Doi Suthep. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via an enormous mythological Nagas (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps. Inside the cloister is an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tier gold parasol, which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai from the temple grounds. 

The tour then continues to Wat Suan Dok whose large central stupa contains a Buddha relic which supposedly self-multiplied. According to legend, the Buddha relic was placed on the back of a sacred white elephant, which was allowed to roam wherever it wanted. The elephant eventually climbed to the top of Suthep Mountain, trumpeted three times, turned around three times, knelt down and died. This was taken as a sign that this was the spot where the relic wanted to be, so at the end of the 14th century King Ku Na commissioned the building of the original chedi.  

The last temple visited is Wat Chedi Luang. In its day, Wat Chedi Luang must have been the most impressive temple in Chiang Mai. Built about 600 years ago, the huge chedi that gives the temple its name must have soared high above the surrounding city. Unfortunately this was destroyed several hundred years ago, although the exact reasons are unknown.  Some say it was an earthquake in the 17th century that did the deed; others say it was King Taksin's cannons firing on the city to chase out the Burmese in the 18th century. It now reaches a height of 196 feet. The temple also contains the city pillar. Statue in small shelters surrounding this building are the home of guardian spirits.

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• Refreshments
• Ingredients for your dinner – these can be purchased from a local market 
• Optional gratuities

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Ticket	Quantity	Price
Adult	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	£13.00
Child	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10	£7.00

  Child: 2-11 years

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