Hello Thailand 🇹🇭 Good bye Laos 🇱🇦 | Doi Suthep Golden Temple in Chiang Mai | SE Asia tour Day 15

Luang Prabang Laos 🇱🇦 to Chiang Mai Thailand 🇹🇭

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of northern Thailand's most sacred buddhist temples. The temple is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city of Chiang Mai and situated at an elevation of 1,073 meters. From the car park at the temple's base visitors can climb 309 steps to reach the pagodas or take a tram. It's also possible to hike up to the temple from the city following the Monk's Trail.

Once inside the temple grounds visitors must be appropriately dressed and must remove footwear. The original gold plated chedi is the most holy area of the temple grounds. Within the site are pagodas, statues, bells, a museum, and shrines. Aspects of the wat draw from both Buddhism and Hinduism. There is a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesh. Views of Chiang Mai can be seen on the far side of the temple.