Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara: The temple atop a mountain
The next day, our destination is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a temple located atop a mountain. We took a red taxi, along with other tourists going to the same place. There are regular trips going there. Just find where the red taxis are.
The temple is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city proper. Even from afar, you could actually get a glimpse of the temple from the lowland. Because I was at the front seat, the taxi driver mused something in the mountains. I couldn't understand him, but I eventually got that he was saying that was where we're going.
To get to the temple, you have to walk about 300+ steps of stairs. On the way up, there are mini-parks built to be resting places as well, so it's not that tiring.
Wat Phra That Doi is often referred to as "Doi Suthep" although this is actually the name of the mountain where it is located. It is a sacred site to many Thai people.
At the temple, there are a lot of foreigners and locals paying visit and offering their prayers. You'll have to be patient if you want to take a photo. People have to take turns to take their photos in the 'nice' spots.
This is the golden grand stupa, where everyone wants to take their photo.
But the temple is not the only sight to see in the place, as I mentioned, there are many other mini-parks and areas that were developed for visitors. Within the site are pagodas, statues, bells, a museum, and shrines. There's also a book shop, coffee shop, minimart, and cable car.
Apart from the temple, we spent most of our time on this area overlooking Chiang Mai.
The place made us remember Baguio City.
There are also souvenir and food shops in one area, that's where we had our lunch before leaving the temple for our next stop. What else should I have? Haha.
