Doi Suthep

Panoramic view of Doi Suthep as seen from Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep Chiang Mai ( Thailand)
Elevation	1,676 m (5,499 ft)
Listing	Buddhist temples on mountaintops in Thailand
Location
Range	Shan Hills
Coordinates	18°48′46″N 98°53′37″E / 18.81278°N 98.89361°E / 18.81278; 98.89361Coordinates: 18°48′46″N 98°53′37″E / 18.81278°N 98.89361°E / 18.81278; 98.89361
Geology
Type	granite
Climbing
Easiest route	drive

Doi Suthep (ดอยสุเทพ), is a mountain located in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

Description

View of Chiang Mai from Doi Suthep

Doi Suthep (1,676 m) is one of the twin peaks of a granite mountain located west of Chiang Mai, the other peak is known as Doi Pui and is slightly taller (1,685 m).

Road in Doi Suthep - Doi Pui National Park

Doi Suthep is located 15 km away from Chiang Mai city centre. Most of the bedrock of the mountain is granite. The vegetation below c. 1,000 m is mostly deciduous forest and evergreen above this height.

The Doi Suthep - Doi Pui hill is part of a mountain chain separating Burma from Thailand also known as Loi Lar Mountain Range or Daen Lao Range. This range, the easternmost of the Shan Highland system, separates the Salween watershed from the Mekong watershed. Other high peaks of the Loi Lar Mountain Range are Doi Luang Chiang Dao (2,175 m), Doi Pui (1,685 m), and Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand, reaching 2,565 m. ^[1]

There are spectacular views of Chiang Mai city and its surroundings from the top of this mountain. Hmong tribal villages are located on the mountain sides.

The Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple is on top of the hill. This Buddhist place of worship dates back to the year 1383 when the first chedi was built.^[2] It is an important pilgrimage spot for the devout and a legend featuring a white elephant is connecteed to this revered site.

This mountain is part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The park was established in 1981 and has an area of 261 km² that includes the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple as well as Bhubing palace, placed among flower gardens.

Doi Pui, the other peak of the massif, is located close by along a surfaced road as well as through forest paths. Hmong hill tribe people live in the surrounding area.

See also

• Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
• Doi Suthep - Doi Pui National Park

References

1. ^ Wolf Donner, The Five Faces of Thailand. Institute of Asian Affairs, Hamburg 1978 - ISBN 0-7022-1665-8
2. ^ Benjamin Malcolm: Doi Suthep Thailand

External links

• Doi Suthep - Doi Pui National Park
• Thailand for visitors (Tourist site)