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Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

by Pierre To
12 minutes to read
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Formerly known as Doi Aoy Chang, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park takes its name from the mountain where a hermit named Sudeva lived for many years.

See also :
Chiang Mai: the complete guide to the Rose of the North

Presentation

Map of Doi Suthep-Pui National ParkDoi Suthep-Pui National Park is located in Chiang Mai province, just a few kilometres 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 granite.

The other two peaks are Doi Buak Ha and Doi Pui, the latter being the highest at 1685 metres.

The western part 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 main attractions of the park are the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is built near the top of Doi Suthep, some waterfalls, viewpoints, caves and nature.

The park is ideal for hiking through numerous trails as well as for cycling and camping.

The fauna and flora of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

The forest areas of the park consist of a evergreen forest at higher altitudes above 1,000 metres and a deciduous forest on the lower parts, with mixed deciduous and evergreen forest in the ravines and along the streams.

Common trees include oaks, dipterocarpaceae and trees of the magnolia family.

There are almost 2000 species of ferns and flowering plants, almost 300 species of birds and many species of mammals.

Mammals such as the Indian muntjac, wild boar, Assam macaque, Indochinese serow, Temminck's cat, Malay porcupine and Asiatic black bear can be seen here.

Indian muntjac
Indian muntjac
golden asian cat
golden asian cat
Asian black bear
Asian black bear
Malay porcupine
Malay porcupine
Assam macaque
Assam macaque

Common birds found in the national park are the White-crested Laughingthrush, Grey Flycatcher, Giant Barbu, Blue-throated Barbu, Grey-headed Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey-chinned Minivet, Blyth's Shrike, Yunnan Fulvetta and Slaty Flycatcher

Giant bearded man
Giant bearded man
White-crested Laughingthrush
White-crested Laughingthrush
Blyth's shrike
Blyth's shrike
Grey Flycatcher
Grey 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 on winter nights around February.

Visitors travelling in the park on bicycles are strongly encouraged to bring a jumper to avoid catching a cold.

August and September are the wettest months of the year with daily rainfall.

Park entrance fees

Entrance fees for foreigners are 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children, but there may be additional fees to visit certain attractions.

There are a number of bungalows at the headquarters, Doi Pui Campground, Man Tha Than Waterfall Campground and Rok Mok Fa Waterfall Station.

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The price range is from 400 baht to 3000 baht, and a significant discount will be applied when booking outside the weekend, between Monday and Thursday.

Bungalows can be booked on the Doi Suthep National Park website in advance.

As the money transfer has to be done within 2 days and the fact that it takes longer with transfers from abroad, it is only possible to book from Thailand.

Payments can be made at 7-Eleven shops or banks.

Attractions in Doi Suthep-Pui

Bhubing Palace

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 guest houses for visitors from abroad.

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

Wat Phrathat Doi SuthepCalled Doi Suthep Temple, it is a temple Theravada Buddhist with sacred shrines, pagodas, statues and murals.

The temple is built near the top of Doi Suthep mountain at 1055 metres above sea level, 14.5 km from Chiang Mai city centre (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 architecture of the temple 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 309-step staircase or by cable car for 30 baht.

All visitors must remove their shoes and dress appropriately to enter the temple terrace.

See our article : Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai

Huey Kaew Waterfall

Huey Kaew WaterfallA small waterfall located near Chiang Mai town on a short walk from the main road near the park entrance.

It is popular with local tourists.

There are many butterflies around the waterfall and a short trail of about 500 metres that leads to the main road to the northwest.

Dtaat Mook Waterfall

Located in the north of the national park, accessible by a 7km long circular trail that starts near the Golden Buddha overlooking the Huay Tung Tao reservoir.

The path to the waterfall requires a guide.

There are guides available at the beginning of the tour, cost: 200 THB per group.

Yod Doi Pui Camping

Yod Doi PuiLocated to the north of Bhubing Palace, accessible from the road that turns right 900 metres west of the palace and 3.8 km north.

The campsite has basic facilities, a restaurant and a visitor centre.

The visitor centre has tents and mountain bikes available for hire.

Tents for two people cost 225 baht per night, sleeping bags and other accessories are also available for hire from 60 baht.

It is possible to rent a tent with all sleeping accessories for 405 Baht.

It is recommended that campers use sleeping bags as night temperatures get very cold in some seasons down to 6°C (sometimes lower!).

Mountain bike hire costs 100 baht per day.

The campsite has about 40-50 tents for rent.

Mok Fah Waterfall

Mok Fa or Mork Fa Waterfall, is a 5-10 minute walk from the waterfall car park.

The entrance to the waterfall is on the 1095 highway from Chiang Mai to Pai.

The waterfall is located on a separation zone 10 km north of the main park area.

There is an information centre and some bungalows for rent for 1500 baht per night.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Headquarters

The park headquarters is located less than a kilometre northwest of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (the main temple).

You will find bungalows from 400 to 2500 baht.

Mon Tha Than waterfall and camping

It is a popular nine-level waterfall.

Entering the park less than 1.5 kilometres away, a side road on the right leads to this waterfall.

The waterfall area has a campsite and some bungalows.

Bungalows are available for booking from 1500 baht (see info above on how to book).

How to get there

You need to get to Chiang Mai first, see :
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train, bus or plane

You can get to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in different ways:

Renting a car, motorbike or scooter

if you have an international licence and for motorbikes, a good experience of the road (otherwise it is better to avoid).

You'll need to take Route 1004 (also known as Huay Kaew Road) in the direction of Chiang Mai Zoo and past the Maya Mall.

Continue until the road widens and you see the crowds and flags in the trees.

Walking to Doi Sutep

Exercise enthusiasts can choose to walk up to the temple via Suthep Road, past Chiang Mai University, to find the start of the hike.

When you see a green area, you will notice billboards and a "Nature Hike" sign.

Turn right onto this narrow road, go straight on for about 100 metres then take the first left.

Follow the road to the start of the path.

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 the other places in the park is to use the many red songthaews that ply the streets of Chiang Mai.

If you want to go to the temple, they leave from Huay Kaew Road, near the zoo, for 40 baht per person per trip.

Normally, drivers wait for eight to ten passengers before leaving.

You can also hire songthaews from anywhere in the city, which is a good option if you are travelling in a group.

It should cost 300 baht one way (as many people as you can fit), or 500 baht if you want the driver to wait at the top and take you back after a visit to the temple.

Video presentation 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; Malay porcupine: Bernard Dupont; Asiatic black bear: Guérin Nicolas; Grey flycatcher: Hans G. Oberlack; Giant bearded owl: M. Cooper; and Oberlack; Giant Barbet: Prateik Kulkarni; Bhubing Palace: Magnus Manske; Huey Kaew Waterfall: Poakpong; Yod Doi Pui campsite: adventureinyou.com Source: thainationalparks.com

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