Thai National Parks

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

About Doi Suthep-Pui

Formerly known as Doi Aoy Chang, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is named after two mountains within the park; Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. Doi Suthep is where the hermit Sudeva lived on it's slopes for many years. The park is situated in Chiang Mai Province, only a few kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai City covering 265 km².

The park is separated into two areas not bordering each other; In south Doi Suthep and Doi Pui area where most of the major attractions and the headquarters are, 10 km further north is a smaller area around Mok Fa Waterfall.

The main attractions of the park are; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Pui Mountain, waterfalls, viewpoints and trails. The national park is one of the best in the country for hiking thanks to its “endless” trails throughout the park from all directions and elevations. Cycling is also very popular.

The mountains in the park are within the Thanon Thong Chai Range, most of its bedrock is granite. Two of the highest peaks in the park are Doi Pui which is the highest in the park at 1,685 meters asl and Doi Buak Ha.

Doi Suthep Temple is the most popular attraction inside the park with a good view over Chiang Mai City

Forests in the park consist of evergreen forest on higher altitudes above 1,000 meters and deciduous forest on lower. Some forest pockets in the gullies and along the streams are mixed deciduous-evergreen forest. Common trees include oaks, dipterocarps and trees of the magnolia family. There are nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants, nearly 360 species of birds and a good number of mammal species reported in the park.

The rainy season is May to November, August and September are the wettest period of the year with almost daily rainfall. The rest of the year is quite dry. The high altitudes of the park makes the climate cool and pleasant all year round, average temperatures are around 20-23 °C. During the winter months the temperatures may drop to as low as 5-6 °C, often around February.

A number of websites and a tourist information map at Doi Suthep claim that there is a cave called Tham Ruesi not too far from Doi Suthep Temple. It likely refers to some small rock shelter or a shrine. Noone seems to know where this cave is. There are no known caves in Doi Suthep, at least none of significant importance for visiting.

Wildlife

Despite being a busy place with quite a few villages in and around the park, there are some impressive mammal species recorded in the park. Dholes, which are a very rare species of canids, have been spotted in the park just recently. Some of the other mammals seen in the park are; Indian muntjacswild boarsAssam macaquesIndochinese serowsAsian golden catsMalayan porcupines and Asian black bears.

Perhaps not as rich as the nearby Doi Inthanon in variety, but Doi Suthep has an impressive fauna of birds with over 350 reported species. Some of the bird species seen in the park are; black-headed greenfinches, brown bush warblers, Tristram's buntings, grey-winged blackbirds, dusky thrushes, chestnut thrushes, purple cochoas, chestnut-tailed minlas, yellow-browed tits, large blue flycatchers, Long-tailed thrushes and Himalayan cutias.

Doi Suthep bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus doisuthep) is an endemic species currently only known to be found in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Slender blind snakes (Indotyphlops porrectus), Himalayan mountain pit vipers (Ovophis monticola) and amboina box turtles (Cuora amboinensis) are a few of the many other reptile species found in the park. Pope's pit vipers (Trimeresurus popeiorum) are very common red-eyed pit vipers found on higher elevations of the park.

Few of the rare amphibian reported from the park are; Gordon's bug-eyed frogs (Theloderma gordoni), Chiang Mai newts (Tylototriton uyenoi), Chiang Mai caecilians (Ichthyophis youngorum), Sapa spadefoot toads (Leptobrachium chapaense) and Small horned toads (Megophrys parva)

Getting there & get around

The park is in easy reach of Chiang Mai by car or bike from the west end of the city (see map or "Get there & stay" section). Higher elevations beyond Doi Pui are better to be visited with a stronger terrain vehicle because of poor roads.

Getting to the park

It is possible to get to Doi Suthep Temple with a songthaew which is a converted pickup taxi. It can be tricky to find a convenient spot in Chiang Mai to jump into one. It takes less than 40 mins to reach the temple with the songthaew option.

Get around in the park

The best way to explore the park beyond the temple is by bike or car. Unless dressed warmly, taking a bike can be a very chilly experience that sometimes ends up with people getting cold, ruining their holiday.

It is also possible to explore the park by bicycle, but it can be a challenging experience while cycling uphill.

Tours & private transportation

Most of the park can easily be explored without a guide. But, to hike longer trails or get to more remote places like villages, coffee plantations etc, a guide with an English speaking guide is recommended. Guided tours can be booked via various tour operators, or on arrival to the hotels.

It is possible via this website to book a guided tour or a roundtrip taxi service with an experienced driver to take around to a few spots in the park and return to the hotel. See below;

Entrance fees & opening times

No entrance fee needs to be paid to enter Doi Suthep Temple or any other temples. The entrance fee applies only when camping or visiting major waterfalls. As of June 2022, the entrance fees for Doi Suthep-Pui National Park are 100 Baht for adults and 50 Baht for children 3-14 years old. Thai citizens pay 20 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children.

The park premises like the campsites, visitor center and waterfalls are open daily from 8 am until 4 pm, but there are no time limits to enter the park.

Activities

The park can be visited for many types of activities suitable for most ages. The most popular activity is visiting the popular attractions along the main road like Doi Suthep Temple, waterfalls, Bhubing Palace (royal residence) and Doi Pui mountain & village.

There are many trails in the park, though most require guides because it is easy to get lost.

One of many trails in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Wildlife watching is not easy, it requires daily walking along the trails to eventually get a glimpse of elusive mammals of the park. Birdwatching is perhaps more easy. With a good variety of accessible roads/trails on various altitudes, it is possible to see a good number of birds over a day.

Stay & eat

Camping

There are two main camping areas in the park. One is north of Doi Pui Hmong Village and the other is at Mon Tha Than Waterfall not too far from the park entrance. See further below in the “attractions” section for more info and location of the campsites.

Accommodations

There are a good number of park accommodation in the headquarters area, Doi Pui Campground, Man Tha Than Waterfall Campground, and Mok Fa Waterfall Ranger Station. The price ranges from 400 Baht up to 3,000 Baht, a 20% discount applies when booked for Mon-Thu.

Headquarters of the park where many of these room options are found is located less than a kilometer northwest of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

The park accommodations can be booked through the DNP website in advance. As the money transfer must be done within 2 days and the fact that it takes time with transfers from abroad, it is only possible to book from within Thailand only. Payments can be done at 7-Eleven convenience stores or banks.

Eat

There are a good number of restaurants and cafes inside the park along the roads. Many options at Doi Suthep Temple and Doi Pui Village.

Phone(s)

You are recommended to ask a Thai speaking person to call on your behalf.

The attractions of Doi Suthep-Pui

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Generally referred as Doi Suthep Temple, it is a Theravada Buddhist temple with holy shrines, pagodas, statues and murals around. The temple is built near the peak of Doi Suthep mountain at 1055 meters above the sea level, 14.5 km from Chiang Mai City Center (Old City).

The first chedi is said to have been founded in the 14th century as a Buddist monastery and still is a working monastery. It is one of the most sacred sites in the region. Aspects of the temple draw from both Buddhism and Hinduism. A model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesha can be found in the temple site.

Doi Suthep Temple
The steep stairway up to Doi Suthep Temple

The temple can be reached from the main road through the national park, accessible by walking 309 steps steep up or by tram for 30B. The way up is flanked by trees and Naga snake figures.

All visitors must take off their shoes and dress appropriately to enter the temple terrace. No shorts allowed and shoulders must be covered, there are clothes available for rent at the entrance.

Opening times are irregular, people seen in the temple from very early in the morning from around 5 to 6 am, closing around 7 pm.

Yod Doi Pui Campsite

Located north of Bhubing Palace, accessible from the road that turns right 900 meters west from the palace and then 3.8 km further north. The campsite has basic facilities, a visitor center and a restaurant.

The camp visitor center has tents and mountain bikes available for rent. Two people tents 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 accessories for 405 Baht. Mountain bikes cost 100 Baht a day.

Camping visitors are recommended to use warmer sleeping bags as night temperatures may drop down to as low as 5-6 °C.

Waterfalls

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park has many waterfalls, here we list a few popular ones.

Mon Tha Than Waterfall, Trail & Campsite

A popular and quite often busy nine-tiered waterfall 3 km into the national park. Entering the park less than 1.5 kilometers, a side road on the right side will lead to this waterfall. Just a bit into this sideroad a checkpoint will be seen.

The waterfall area has a campsite and a few rooms available for booking through the DNP website from 1,500 Baht.

Huey Kaew Waterfall

A waterfall located at the edge of Chiang Mai City on a short walking distance from the main road near the park entrance. It is popular among local tourists. Lot of butterflies are seen around the waterfall.

Huey Kaew Waterfall

A nearly 500 meters short trail from this waterfall ends up on the main road of the park.

Mok Fa Waterfall

Mok Fa or Mork Fa with various other spellings is a waterfall, accessible by car, bike or songthaew. The waterfall is located at the northmost edges of the park just 1.4 km from the highway 1095 to Pai. The waterfall is about 5-10 minutes walking distance from the car park.

Mork Fa Waterfall at north end of the national park

There is a visitor center and a number of rooms for rent for 1,500 Baht per night.

A 100 Baht entrance fee for adults and 50 Baht for children will be charged to enter the waterfall.

Mae Sa Waterfall

A popular 10-tiered cascading waterfall along a nearly 2.5 km trail into the forest. The waterfall is located 5 km west of Mae Rim, about 600 meters off from highway-1096. There are few food vendors at the car park area.

A 100 Baht entrance fee for adults and 50 Baht for children will be charged to enter the waterfall.

Dtaat Mook Waterfall

Accessible by a short stroll from the nearby ranger station, it is a medium size waterfall with a bit less water flowing down during the dry seasons.

A 100 Baht entrance fee for adults and 50 Baht for children will be charged to enter the waterfall.

Bhubing Palace

Built in 1961, Bhubing Palace is the royal winter residence to accommodate the royal family during their visits to northern Thailand. The official name of the palace is Phra Tamnak Phu Phing.

The palace is 4 km west of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. There are a number of buildings including guesthouses for state visitors from abroad. The palace is open to the public except when the royal family is in the residence. The area is ideal for birdwatching, butterfly watching and has a good view over Chiang Mai. Opening times are 8:30 am to 4:15 pm, but sometimes may get closed as early as 3 pm.

Trails

The national park is full of trails, below we will list only a few popular ones. To see where these trials are on a map, just click the "show on map" link next to the title. Please do not ignore the guide requirement for certain trails as the park is full of crossing trails from different directions, it is very easy to get lost, particularly because not all trails are signposted well.

Buddha’s Footprint Trail

Starting from Doi Pui Hmong Tribal Village in the middle of the park, it is a 13 km trail. The trail head is right north of the village at about 1,320 meters asl. The highest point of the trail is at about 1,490 meters asl. Quite easy walk, but the length of it makes this trail a moderate one.

When walked clockwise, the trail gradually ascends to the start of a mountain ridge and follows the ridge north till the northernmost point, which after it descends and joins to another trail called False Buddha’s Footprint Trail all the way back to the same village.

A ranger or a guide is required to walk the trail. It may even be possible to arrange a local at the Hmong village for an unknown price.

Coordinates of the trailhead: 18.82038, 98.88296

Monk's Trail

One of the most known trails in Doi Suthep, starting from a trailhead west of Chiang Mai University and ending at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

It takes around 1.5 hours to walk this trail. Half way through this trail in about 45 minutes hiking is another temple, Wat Phra Lat which is near the main road into the park. Once on the road, the hikers need to walk a couple of hundred meters and continue the trail from the other side of the road.

Coordinates of the trailhead; 18.797678, 98.942200

Coordinates of the trailhead from the main road; 18.798995, 98.931719

Huay Tung Tao Circular Trail

It is a poorly maintained, nearly 7 km long circular trail. The trail is difficult to walk, not signposted and shouldn’t be walked without a ranger or a guide. The trail often fades away, making it difficult to guess what direction to walk.

The trailhead is near the Golden Buddha statue near the Huay Tung Tao Reservoir on the east edge of the national park. Half way through the trail there is a waterfall.

Coordinates of the trailhead: 18.86595, 98.93730

More about Doi Suthep - Pui National Park