Having reached walking to Doi Suthep temple, we were a little disappointed with him. So Wat Doi Suthep does not correspond to the concept of a temple. This whole place is more like a conveyor belt for processing tourist flow and money, respectively. From merchants and beggars at the entrance, ending with the monks inside.
The building itself, of course, is shiny and pretty, with all sorts of figures and carved platbands, but it doesn't feel like a temple - there is no spiritual component there. Rather, it's one big donation box.
Staircase to Wat Doi Suthep Temple
The girl at the entrance earns, the mother next to him eats ice cream
By the way, the entrance for farangs is paid and is 30 baht. Such is the discrimination on a foreign basis. But you can also go for free if religion allows.
Foreigners entrance for 30 baht
Crowds of people, both Thais and tourists, carrying their money and putting it in various types of boxes, boxes, pots, stringing on «branches» money trees. You can do it just like that, you can for the fact that the monk will tie a rope on your hand or for his verbal blessing. There are also more traditional ways for a tourist - a photo for 100 baht against the background of Wat Doi Suthep. Turnover per day, I guess, like a very good business.
Prayers to the money trees
Prayers to the money tree
Another donation box
Wat Doi Suthep - 100 baht photo
Monk's blessing
Circling around Wat and praying
There was even an idea to count how many places on the territory where you can put money. Moreover, they even saw the schedule, they say, on Monday you need to put so many baht in the pot, on Tuesday so much. And on all the pillars, steps, slabs, there are inscriptions who donated and how much.
Donation pots
On the one hand, it is clear that money is needed to build other churches, and to support their own needs. But if each temple works in the mode of collecting money, while, as it were, monopolizing the ability to offer prayers to Buddha, then what happens ... Why is the temple itself made? To process the money supply of the people into temples like Wat Doi Suthep?
It is also strange that it is more beautiful and amazing White Temple in Thailand, which is more like an art gallery for tourists, better correlates with the concept of a temple, and there are no donations at all.
That is why I am not a fan of walking in working churches, and prefer abandoned ones, as in Chiang Saen.
Why it is worth going up to Wat Doi Suthep is to look at Chiang Mai from above. The view is beautiful there.
Chiang Mai Airport
One thing pleases in this whole Buddhist religion - a certain freedom, and not compulsion to anything. Everyone around will smile sweetly, and will not bother with their teachings or ask to buy something. And yet, the processing of money into churches will be better than distributing them in the pockets of any Orthodox priests or militant separatists..
Wat doi suthep
Super-class furniture at Doi Suthep cafe
Tourist with a serious camera
Temple Acolytes
Wat doi suthep
We ring the bells
Huge darbuka
An excursion into how jackfruit grows
Buddhas in leopard robes
Wat doi suthep
Wat Doi Suthep Temple
Children for photos
Tueva a bunch of candles, choose any
Wat Doi Suthep Temple
And there is dirt around the Doi Suthep temple
Hitchhiking back with the breeze
If you want to search for accommodation on your own in the area of this beach, it is most convenient to do this on RoomGuru (service for searching and comparing prices for hotels in different booking systems)
If you are going to the Wat Doi Suthep temple, then you can either walk there, like we did through the jungle, or use the songteos, which are in large numbers near the Chaing Mai Zoo..
Rates for Doi Suthep and Beyond
Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phra Yhat Doi Suthep)
Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phra Yhat Doi Suthep)
Abbreviated simply as Wat Doi Suthep. Chiang Mai's main temple on a mountain overlooking the city.
Read about the temple
Abbreviated simply as Wat Doi Suthep. Chiang Mai's main temple on a mountain overlooking the city. Read about the temple
