Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Part One)

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located on Suthep Mountain in Chiang Mai. The temple gate leads to a long staircase down the mountain, flanked on both sides by a long dragon, with the dragon's head at the entrance at the foot of the mountain, hence the name Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The temple is probably so famous because at the very center of the main hall there is a golden pagoda enshrining the relic of the Buddha Sakyamuni, who is probably the most renowned in the Buddhist world worldwide. Therefore, there are many people who come here to worship and pray every day. When I visited, I happened to catch a high monk expounding the scriptures and interpreting the dharma, with many people kneeling below. It seems that for those who believe in Buddhism, this is indeed a good place. Another reason for its fame is Suthep Mountain itself. Although there are many temples in Chiang Mai, those that are closer are mostly built on flat ground. Suthep Mountain is not very high, but after all, it is a mountain, so the temple naturally stands tall and the Buddhist teachings spread far. From the observation deck on Suthep Mountain, you can see the entire city of Chiang Mai. For those who come here to pray, gazing into the distance can also help to relieve the sorrows in their hearts. Let's talk about some miscellaneous things. At the foot of the mountain, there are regular tickets and tickets that include an elevator ride up the mountain. Young people should just buy the regular ones; it's really not high, and it only takes ten minutes to get up. If you take a taxi here, the drivers are generally reluctant to come, or they will ask for a higher price, so it's recommended to go to Chiang Mai University first and then share a ride (songthaew) to get here. When returning to the city, you can bargain with the songthaew driver, and usually, one hundred 🐷 per person is enough. Also, in the temple, don't just bow to any Buddha statue you see or prostrate before any image; there are certain proprieties to observe. You will often encounter stray dogs and cats in the temple, and some of the dogs are quite large breeds. Don't be afraid and don't shout; they are usually accustomed to seeing people and will mostly ignore you.