In the soft glow of the morning sun, our journey to Wat Doi Suthep, the pearl of Chiang Mai and its lush surroundings, began. A labyrinth of culture and history, the city is home to more than three hundred temples, each with their own story, spun from the past. In the midst of it all, the Doi Suthep is a legendary shrine that echoes the golden Lanna age, a time when spiritual life flourished like the lotus flowers in the ponds of the temples.
After driving through the winding roads, surrounded by the vibrant greenery of the Doi Pui National Park, we reached the base of the mountain on which the temple proudly resides. Here, at the foot of the sacred stairs, the story begins not with silence or meditative reverie, but with the lively sounds of market traders promoting their wares. It is a colorful bazaar where silver amulets sparkle in the sun, where the smell of jasmine and the spicy street food stimulate your senses.
The art of haggling here is a dance between buyer and seller, a social spectacle in which, after two weeks, we had become stars. It is a chess game of numbers, a friendly duel where the prices dance between ask and bid until they settle on an amount that makes both parties part with a smile.
After the market our true climb to spiritual heights began. The 309 steps to Wat Doi Suthep, however challenging, are a pilgrimage in themselves. With every step you conquer, you feel history beneath your feet, and with every drop of sweat that slides down your temples, you leave behind pieces of worldly existence.
Once we reached the top, we were rewarded with more than just the panoramic view of the city. The Wat Doi Suthep itself is a showcase of devotional art, with the golden Chedi rising as a beacon of superhuman endeavor. The temple and its outbuildings are decorated with finely carved dragons and mythological creatures, each telling of the depth of the Buddhist faith.
Within the walls of the complex it is indeed a gambling game of saints and symbols, with explanations often hidden in mysterious Thai. But one message is clear, even in our native language: the tip boxes silently ask for a contribution, a modern echo of age-old sacrifices.
Photos, unmistakable silent witnesses to our experience, were taken, each capturing a facet of this place where the earthly and transcendent meet. And after two hours, with our souls full of the temple's serene majesty, we descended the steps again to our driver, who had spent the afternoon dreaming under a shady tree.
Once back in Chiang Mai's Old City, you could still feel the presence of Wat Doi Suthep, floating in the air as a subtle reminder that there are higher places waiting to be explored, every day, beneath the wide heaven of Thailand.
Submitted by Rudolf
Beautifully described Rudolf,
And every time I'm in Chiangmai, I have to cycle up Soi Suthep.
I always feel the mysticism of the monks who in earlier times did a gigantic job to build this temple there.
And commerce benefits more and more from this when you see what souvenir stalls and restaurants have been added in the 20 years since I came there.
Too bad that the lush view of Chiangmai is partly obscured by the smog.
Every time I am in Chiang Mai, I also go to the temple on Doi Suthep. And I also take the more than 300 steps. But you never actually enjoy a panoramic view.
I always have a hazy view.
What time of year is it best to go here?