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You start your afternoon heading for Doi Suthep - the holy hill west of Chiang Mai - on a steep road meandering for 12 km (7.5 miles) up the flanks of the mountain ('Doi'). On the way, you stop at the popular Kruba Srivichai Monument (which honours the man whose followers built the first motor road to the mountain in 1935).
Situated 7 kms from town, the monument was built to commemorate Kruba Srivichai, who saw the hardship of the climb and initiated a plan to construct a road up Suthep Mountain to the monastery. The man and therefore the monument are highly popular among the local Thais who frequently come here to make wishes. If the wishes come true, the wisher will return and present flowers or wooden elephants in thanks for the bounty provided. Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, perched high on the flank of Suthep
Mountain, 1,022 m (3,000ft) above sea level, is Chiang Mai's most famous
temple. The pagoda in its centre contains some of the relics of the Lord
Buddha. The temple is visited thoughout the year by thousands of tourists
and Buddhist pilrims from all over the world.
According to legend, the temple's site was selected by an auspicious elephant. The story goes that a monk named Sumana placed half of a Buddha relic on an elephant's back and set it loose. It was decided that when the elephant stopped walking, a temple would be built on that exact spot to house the gem ... Instead of stopping at an easy site, the elephant began climbing the hill - and finally paused on the brow. This was where Wat Prathat Doi Suthep was built by King Kuna in 1388...
The temple is approached by climbing a steep Naga (serpent) staircase comprising 304 steps (however, you can also ascend by funicular railway). On the way back from Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, you drive onto a road which mounts through pine forest to Phuping Palace (if open) on Doi Buak Ha, 22 kms from town. Phuping Palace, built in 1962, is a summer residence of the royal family, used as headquarters for overseeing development projects in northern Thai and hilltribe villages. The beautifull flower gardens (cf.Northern Route) are open to the public from 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday to Sunday and on official holidays.
After that, you climb inside a 'songtheow' (red pick-up converted in local taxi) and continue about 3Km to the Meo tribal village of Doi Pui - which will give you vignettes of modern hilltribe life. Of interest in the village are also the Opium Museum and the Hilltribe Museum. For centuries, the tribe has been an opium grower of importance. The Opium Museum documents how the crop is cultivated and processed, and displays some of the implements used in opium production. The Hilltribe Museum exhibits those used in the Meo daily life.
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