Chiang Mai Cultural Highlights: Wat Doi Suthep & Phu Ping Palace
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the sacred Wat Doi Suthep and the elegant Phu Ping Palace on this half-day tour from Chiang Mai. Visit the city’s most revered mountaintop temple, admire its historic architecture, and enjoy panoramic views over Chiang Mai. Continue to the royal winter palace, built in 1962, and stroll through its beautifully landscaped gardens filled with colorful flowers.
• Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most sacred temple
• Admire the iconic golden spire visible from across the city
• Explore ornate shrines and pagodas that reflect Thailand’s rich history
• Learn about the temple’s legends and founding from your expert guide
• Walk through the beautifully maintained gardens of Phu Ping Palace, featuring tropical and temperate flowers
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Free Door To Door Pick up for our tours at the following location with NO CHARGE - City Center Chaingmai District area (3 KM radius) with namely Night Bazaar, Tapae Gate, Chiang Mai Gate, Suan Dok gate, old city , Huay Kaew Road to Ibis Hotel, Nimmana Haeminda Road & Santitham Area
An additional surcharge for hotel pickup outside 3 miles (5 km) radius from the city center is applicable and payable on the day of your activity.
What To Expect
Chiang Mai
From your hotel, take a vehicle up 3,500 feet (1,069 m) above sea level to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Visit one of Chiang Mai's most sacred temples on this half day tour to the beautiful Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. More commonly referred to as just "Doi Suthep" for the mountain it sits on, the temple is a gorgeous example of Buddhist grandeur and gives insights into Thai culture. From the parking lot, you can reach the temple gates either by climbing 306 steps on foot or by riding a cable car to the top. If you opt to go on foot, begin up the intricately carved Naga Serpent Staircase, which is flanked on either side by enormous, colorful serpent carvings that snake down the mountain.
Options
Private Tour
Private Tour Pickup included
Join Tour
Join Tour Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English speaking guide
Optional
Price does not include 300THB surcharge for pick up from hotel outside city centre 3km radius
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointed
Robyn S,Feb 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The tour was cancelled due to one of the sites being shut down. Waiting in my refund. It would have been nice if they offered something else.
Tour guide Som, helped a lot
Sue P,Jan 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was superbly organized. Som wrote me what's app messages to meet at hotel lobby. She and the driver turned up on time to pick us up. At the Bhubing palace, we walked around the lovely gardens. Som helped my father, who is 84years and finds it difficult to climb steps or walk uphill. She personally walked slower and stayed with him, allowing us to go farther and explore more. Som even took pictures of my dad in various places that she later sent me. She made it a really special tour for my dad. At the temple, we took the cable car up, but coming down, Som came back with my dad on the cable car, allowing us to come down the famous serpent (snake) steps. The temple was crowded with worshipers because it was New Years Eve, when many Buddhists go to pray (chant) and worship. It was great seeing those Thai traditions as they were happening. Som did great explaining them to us.
Another bummer
DickfromRiverside,Feb 18, 2020
- Review from Viator
2.00Wish we could have done this. We scheduled ahead of time but never been to Chiang Mai so wasn’t able to schedule the right time and no switching or refund so missed out. Check your hotel before buying ahead of time
Good balance and most enjoyable
geoffandniki,Feb 16, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This half day tour gave a good balance between receiving lots of information from our guide on the way there, but also free time in the Palace gardens and in the temple to see everything at our own pace. Good value and excellent transport option.
Average visit to a historical place
Daniel I,Nov 7, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The visit consisted in the palace plus the temple. The first one is interesting if you like gardens, although they are not that wonderful as others. The temple is definitively worth visiting with some views of Chiang Mai. Regarding to the person in charge of guiding us, during the first visit to the Summer palace we were on our own as she went with another part of the group to visit a tribe (?). She did great during the temple visit.
Beautiful and spiritual
ayshena,Jun 22, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This temple is stunning and covered in gold. Our tour guide talked us through the history of it and we were able to wonder through the gardens and temple. We gave a donation to be able to have some flowers and candles for an offering. This felt very spiritual. Go early to avoid crowds and heat. Go prepared with covered shoulders and knees although they supply things for you to borrow.
Brilliant and highly recommended!
amarkoul,Mar 13, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Khun Moon brought me around to see the area around Doi Suthep. She was very flexible in the way she handled the tour and I enjoyed her company & professionalism very much. I would highly recommend this company for your next trip to Thailand!
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