What you need to know before visiting Doi Suthep-Pui National Park located in Chiang Mai Province, in northern Thailand.
Previously known as Doi Aoy Chang, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park gets its name from the mountain where a hermit named Sudeva lived for many years.
See also:
Chiang Mai: the complete guide to discover the rose of the North
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Presentation
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is located in Chiang Mai Province, just a few kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai city.
It has an area of 265 km².
Doi Suthep is part of the Thanon Thong Chai range, most of which is composed of granite.
The other two peaks are Doi Buak Ha and Doi Pui, the latter being the highest at 1685 meters.
The west of the park is the main area with most of the attractions and the headquarters, and the second part is a smaller area around the Mok Fa waterfall about 10 km further north.
The park's main attractions are the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is built near the summit of Doi Suthep, some waterfalls, viewpoints, caves and nature.
The park is ideal for hiking through many trails as well as for cycling and camping.
The fauna and flora of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
The park's forest areas consist of evergreen forest at higher altitudes above 1,000 meters and deciduous forest in the lower parts, with a mixed deciduous and evergreen forest in the ravines and along the watercourses.
Common trees include oaks, dipterocarpaceae, and trees of the magnolia family.
There are nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants, nearly 300 species of birds, and numerous species of mammals.
You can observe mammals such as the Indian muntjac, wild boar, Assam macaque, Indochinese serow, Temminck's cat, Malayan porcupine parcupine, and Asian black bear.
Common birds found in the national park are the White-crested Laughingthrush, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Grey-headed Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-chinned Minivet, Blyth's Shrike-babbler, Yunnan Fulvetta and Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Climate of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Due to the high altitude, the climate is cool and pleasant all year round with average temperatures of 20-23°C.
Temperatures can drop to 6 °C during winter nights around February.
Visitors cycling in the park are strongly encouraged to bring a sweater to avoid catching cold.
August and September are the wettest months of the year with daily rainfall.
Park entrance fees
The entrance fees for foreigners are 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children from 3 to 14 years old, but there may be additional fees to visit certain attractions.
There are a number of bungalows at the headquarters, at Doi Pui campsite, Man Tha Than Waterfall campsite and at Rok Mok Fa Waterfall station.
The price range is from 400 to 3000 baht, a significant discount will be applied when booking on weekdays, between Monday and Thursday.
The bungalows can be booked on the Doi Suthep National Park website in advance.
As the money transfer must be made within 2 days and the fact that it takes longer with transfers from abroad, it is only possible to book from Thailand only.
Payments can be made at 7-Eleven stores or banks.
Attractions of Doi Suthep-Pui
Bhubing Palace
Built in 1961, Bhubing Palace is the royal winter residence to house the royal family during their visits to northern Thailand.
The official name of the palace is Phra Tamnak Phu Phing.
The palace is located 4 km west of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
There are a number of buildings, including guest houses for foreign visitors.
The palace is open to the public, except when the royal family is in residence.
The palace is open to visitors from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Called Doi Suthep Temple, it is a Theravada Buddhist temple with sacred sanctuaries, pagodas, statues and murals.
The temple is built near the summit of Doi Suthep mountain at 1055 meters above sea level, 14.5 km from Chiang Mai city center (old town).
The first chedi is said to have been founded in the 14th century as a Buddhist monastery and is still an active monastery.
It is one of the most sacred sites in the region.
The temple's architecture is inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism.
The temple has a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu god Ganesha.
It can be reached from the main road through the national park, accessible by a staircase of 309 steps or by cable car for 30 baht.
All visitors must remove their shoes and dress properly to enter the temple grounds.
See our article: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai
Huey Kaew Waterfall
A small waterfall located near the city of Chiang Mai on a short walking distance from the main road near the entrance of the park.
It is popular among local tourists.
There are many butterflies around the waterfall and a short trail of nearly 500 meters that leads to the main road to the northwest.
Dtaat Mook Waterfall
Located north of the national park, accessible via a 7 km long circular trail that starts near the Golden Buddha overlooking the Huay Tung Tao reservoir.
The trail leading to the waterfall requires a guide.
There are guides available at the start of the route, cost: 200 THB per group.
Yod Doi Pui Camping
Located north of Bhubing Palace, accessible from the road that turns right 900 meters west of the palace and 3.8 km north.
The campsite has basic facilities, a restaurant and a reception center.
The reception center has tents and mountain bikes available for rent.
Tents for two people cost 225 baht per night, sleeping bags and other accessories are also available for rent from 60 baht.
It is possible to rent a tent with all bedding accessories for 405 Baht.
It is recommended that campers use sleeping bags as nighttime temperatures become very cold during certain seasons, down to 6° C (sometimes less!).
Mountain bike rentals cost 100 baht per day.
The campsite has around 40-50 tents available for rent.
Mok Fah Waterfall
Mok Fa or Mork Fa Waterfall is located 5-10 minutes walk from the waterfall parking.
The waterfall entrance is on highway 1095, which connects Chiang Mai to Pai.
The waterfall is located in a separate area, 10 km further north of the main park area.
There is an information center and a few bungalows available for rent at 1500 baht per night.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Headquarters
The park headquarters is located less than a kilometer northwest of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (the main temple).
You will find bungalows ranging from 400 to 2500 baht.
Mon Tha Than Waterfall and camping
It's a popular nine-level waterfall.
Upon entering the park, less than 1.5 kilometers in, a side road on the right leads to this waterfall.
The waterfall area has a campsite and a few bungalows.
Bungalows are available for booking starting at 1500 baht (see above for booking information).
How to get there
First, you need to get to Chiang Mai, see:
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane
You can get to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in various ways:
Rent a car, a motorbike or a scooter
if you have an international license and for motorcycles, good road experience (otherwise it's best to avoid).
You will need to take Route 1004 (also known as Huay Kaew Road) towards Chiang Mai Zoo and passing through Maya Mall shopping center.
Continue until the road widens and you see the crowd and flags in the trees.
Join Doi Sutep on foot
Fitness enthusiasts can choose to climb to the temple via Suthep Road, after Chiang Mai University, to find the start of the hike.
When you see a green space, you will notice billboards and a "Nature Hike" sign.
Turn right onto this narrow road, continue straight for about 100 meters and then take the first left.
Follow the road to the start of the trail.
By songthaew (red pick-up trucks that are everywhere in Chiang Mai)
One of the most popular ways to get to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep or other places in the park is to use the many red songthaews that run through the streets of Chiang Mai.
If you want to go to the temple, they leave from Huay Kaew Road, near the zoo, at a rate of 40 bahts per person per trip.
Typically, drivers wait for between eight and ten passengers before leaving.
You can also rent songthaews from anywhere in the city, which is a good option if you're traveling in a group.
This should cost 300 baht for a one-way trip (as many people as you can fit in), or 500 baht if you want the driver to wait at the top and bring you back after visiting the temple.
Presentation video of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Google map of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
See also: 5 national parks to discover in Thailand
Photos: Indian muntjac: Khao Yai NP; Assam macaque: M. Cooper; Malaysian porcupine: Bernard Dupont; Asian black bear: Guérin Nicolas; Grey-headed canary-flycatcher: Hans G. Oberlack; Great barbet: Prateik Kulkarni; Bhubing Palace: Magnus Manske; Huay Kaew Waterfall: Poakpong; Yod Doi Pui campsite: adventureinyou.com; Source: thainationalparks.com
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