Visit Wat Phra That Doi Saket (Chiang Mai)
Presentation
Wat Phra That Doi Saket is a Buddhist temple located about 30 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai on the Doi Saket, a small hill. Built in the year 1112, legend says that Lord Buddha once came to Doi Saket and was visited by the naka to whom he offered his hair for worship. Like Doi Suthep temple, the main element of Wat Doi Saket is its golden chedi that contains a relic of Lord Buddha. The interior walls of the ordination hall are decorated with modern spiritual murals, painted by Thai artist Khun Chaiwat Wannanon. It is a very nice temple, not very touristy which I personally like the atmosphere. Inside the temple also stands a large outdoor sitting Buddha image with a small museum under it and two large trees in the courtyard. The temple can be reached by a long staircase or by following the road that goes up. In general, the yellow songthaews (yellow local buses) that take you there from Chiang Mai drop you at the foot of the stairs.A little further up, there is another temple with a large Buddha under construction (free entrance) whose platform offers a magnificent view over Wat Phra That Doi Saket and the valley. A little further away is a garden with statues of scenes from Lord Buddha's life.
Practical information about Wat Phra That Doi Saket
No admission feeTo get to Doi Saket by local transportation from Chiang Mai, you have to go to Warorot Market and find the yellow cars (songthaews) that go there. I do not know their frequency but the price should be around 35 THB. Don't forget to also ask about the return before getting to avoid having trouble to come back to Chiang Mai. Best to visit this temple is to have your own mean of transportation.
Find Wat Phra That Doi Saket on the map
Rules to respect when visiting a temple
Wat Phra That Doi Saket is a temple and when you visit a temple in Thailand there are some rules to know and follow :
- Dress properly (knees and shoulders should be covered)
- Take off your shoes when entering the buildings
- Be quiet
- Don't hug or kiss
- Don't point your feet to Buddha's image
- Don't smoke
