Doi Suthep-Pui National Park in Thailand

Formerly known as Doi Aoi Chang, Doi Suthep Pui National Park is named after the mountain where the hermit Sudeva lived on its slopes for many years. The park is located in Chiang Mai province, just a few kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai city and covers an area of 265 kilometers.

Doi Suthep is part of the Tanon Tong Chai Range, most of its rock is granite. The other two peaks are Doi Buak Ha and Doi Pui, the latter of which is the highest, 1,685 meters.

The park is physically divided into two parts, except for areas not managed by the park administration. To the west of Chiang Mai is the main area with most of the major attractions and headquarters, and a small area around Mok Fa Falls, about 10 km to the north.

The main attractions of the park are Wat Phra Tat Deusuthep, which is built near Mt. Deusuthep, several waterfalls, observation decks, caves and nature. The park is ideal for hiking on many trails as well as biking and camping. Doi Suthepa has many trails, and visitors are not encouraged to take the longer trails on their own.

Forests in the park consist of evergreen forests at high elevations, above 1,000 meters, and deciduous forests in the lower parts with a few mixed deciduous-evergreen forests found in ravines and along streams. Common trees include oaks, dipterocarps, and trees of the magnolia family. There are about 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants, about 300 species of birds, and many species of mammals.

Some mammal species are the Indian muntjac, wild boar, Assamese macaque, Indochinese serow, Asian golden cat, Malayan porcupine, and Asian black bear.

Common birds to be found in the national park include the white-tailed puffin, gray-headed canary flycatcher, great barbet, blue-throated nuthatch, gray-capped dwarf woodpecker, gray-chin minnow, shallot-blite, Yunnan fulvette, and slant-backed flycatcher.

Due to the high altitude, the climate is cool and pleasant throughout the year, with an average temperature of 20-23 °C, the temperature can drop to 6 ° C during the winter nights in February. Visitors riding bicycles to the park are strongly advised to wear a sweater to keep warm. August and September are the wettest periods of the year with daily rainfall.

The entrance fee for foreigners is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children, but additional fees may apply to some attractions.

There are several bungalows in the HQ area, at Doi Pui Camping, Man Tan Waterful Camping and Mok Pha Ranger Station. Prices range from 400 baht to 3,000 baht, and there will be a significant discount if you book on Mon-Fri. Bungalows can be booked on the DNP website in advance. Since the money transfer must be made within 2 days and transfers from abroad take longer, reservations can only be made from Thailand. Payment can be made at 7-Eleven stores or banks.

Doi Suthep-Pui sights

Bhubing Palace

Built in 1961, Bhubing Palace is the royal winter residence where the royal family is accommodated during their trips to northern Thailand. The official name of the palace is Phra Tamnak Pu Ping.

The palace is located 4 km west of Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep. There are a number of buildings, including guesthouses for government visitors from abroad. The palace is open to the public except when the royal family is in residence. The area is ideal for bird watching, butterfly watching and has a good view of Chiang Mai. Opening hours are from 8:30 to 4:15, but sometimes close until 3 p.m.

Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep

Commonly referred to as Doi Suthep Temple, it is a Theravada Buddhist temple with holy shrines, pagodas, statues and murals all around. The temple is built near the top of Doi Suthep Mountain, 1,055 meters above sea level, 14.5 km from the center of Chiang Mai (Old Town).

It is said that the first chedi was founded in the 14th century as a Buddhist monastery and is still an active monastery. It is one of the most sacred places in the region. Aspects of the temple draw on both Buddhism and Hinduism. A model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu god Ganesha can be found at the temple site.

The temple can be reached from the main road through the national park, where you can walk the 309 steps up or take the streetcar to 30B. The path up is surrounded by trees and Naga snake figures. All visitors must remove their shoes and dress appropriately to enter the temple terrace.

Shorts are not allowed, shoulders must be covered, and clothes can be rented. Opening hours are irregular, with people seen at the temple from very early in the morning from 5 to 6 a.m., closing around 7 p.m.

Hui Kayev Waterfull

A smaller waterfall located on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, a short walk from the main road at the entrance to the park. It is popular with local tourists. There are many butterflies around the waterfall and a nearly 500-meter trail that ends at the main road to the northwest.

Dtaat Mook Falls

Located on the north side of the national park, accessible via a 7-kilometer circular trail starting at the Golden Buddha overlooking Huai Tung Tao Reservoir.

The trail to the waterfall requires a guide. There are guides at the beginning of the trail, which cost 200 baht per group.

Yod Doi Pui Camping

Located north of Bhubing Palace, it can be reached by a road that turns right 900 meters west of the palace and 3.8 km to the north. The campsite has basic facilities, a restaurant, and a visitor center. At the visitor center you can rent tents and mountain bikes.

Double tents cost 225 baht per night, sleeping bags and other accessories can be rented for 60 baht. You can rent a tent with all sleeping gear for 405 baht. Visitors to the campsite are advised to use sleeping bags, as temperatures are very low at night, in certain seasons up to 6 ° C. Mountain bikes cost 100 baht per day. About 40-50 tents can be rented at the campsite.

Mok Fa Falls

The Mok Pha or Mork Pha waterfall, which can be reached by car, is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking area of the waterfall. The entrance to the waterfall is along Highway 1095 from Chiang Mai to Pai.

The waterfall is located in a separate area, 10 km north of the main park area. There is an information center and bungalows that can be rented for 1,500 baht per night.

Headquarters

The park headquarters is located less than one kilometer northwest of Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep (the main temple). Number of bungalows from 400 to 2500 baht are available for rent.

Mon Ta Tan Waterfall and Camping

A popular and quite often occupied nine-level waterfall 3 km from the national park. Entering the park for less than 1.5 kilometers, a side road on the right side will lead to this waterfall, just a little way down the road you will see a checkpoint.

Nine-level waterfall

There is a campsite and several bungalows near the waterfall. Bungalows are available for booking through the DNP website from 1,500 baht.

Trails

Chiang Mai is full of trails, below we will list just a few popular ones. Please do not ignore the requirements for certain trails, as the park is full of overlapping trails in different directions, so it is very easy to get lost, especially because not all trails are well marked.

The Monk's Path

One of the most famous trails in Deusuthep, starting from the trail west of Chiang Mai University (GPS coordinates; 18.797678, 98.942200) and ending at Wat Prahat Deusuthep.

The walk along the trail takes about 1.5 hours. Halfway across this trail, a 45-minute walk is another temple, Wat Phra Lat, which is not far from the main road into the park. Once on the road, hikers must walk straight down the road for a couple hundred meters and continue on the other side of the road (GRP coordinates; 18.798995, 98.931719).