Doi Suthep

The biggest, most famous, most holy attraction in Chiang Mai is the temple on the mountain overlooking the city from the west: Doi Suthep. This is the religious heart of Chiang Mai, and all of northern Thailand. It is perched on the edge of the mountain, watching over the city, atop a winding road and 300+ penitence inspiring steps (unless you take the cable car...).


As many times as I have now visited this lovely northern city, I have never journeyed up the mount to visit Doi Suthep. I have always been in town for work, or have preferred to use my few personal moments to relax on the town, at a movie, of shopping for those luxury items not to be found in Mae Sot (read: my vinegar collection, wine, cheese, etc.). So I was very glad to finally make my own pilgrimage up the hill.

I'm always disappointed by how much uploading washes out the photos. These are much duller than the originals, but I hope you can still get a sense of the vibrancy of the colors.