Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Wat Phra That Doi Kham stands on a hill south-west of Chiang Mai and is said to date to the seventh century, predating the city, with a chedi holding a relic and a legend involving two giants converted to Buddhism - figures of them stand at the temple. The large seated Buddha, about seventeen metres and gilded, was added in the 1990s and is visible from the valley and from planes landing at Chiang Mai. Its reputation among Thai visitors is as a place where wishes are granted, and the payment when one is fulfilled is jasmine garlands: people return with them in quantity, and the shrine of Pu Sae Ya Sae is hung thick with flowers, with vendors outside selling garlands by the hundred. Lottery numbers are a common request. It is a busy local devotional site rather than a sightseeing temple, and it gets far fewer foreign visitors than Doi Suthep across the valley.

What you actually see

• The gilded Buddha - about seventeen metres, visible across the valley.
• The jasmine garlands - offerings paid when wishes are fulfilled.
• The giant figures - from the conversion legend attached to the site.
• The valley view - over Chiang Mai from the hilltop terrace.

When to go

November to February. Weekends and Buddhist holy days bring large local crowds. Early morning is quiet and cool for the steps.

Honest expectations

A working devotional site, busy with Thai worshippers rather than tourists. Persistent garland and lottery-related selling. The steps up are unshaded. Temple dress code applies.

Nearby

Royal Park Rajapruek is at the foot of the hill; Doi Suthep is north across the valley.