Doi Suthep Cable Car & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The Doi Suthep Cable Car is an inclined lift leading from the main road up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a a popular Theravada Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep mountain in Chiang Mai. Heading up to Doi Suthep on my last morning in Chiang Mai, I used the Doi Suthep Cable Car to avoid the steps up, and the cable car is also my main point of attraction at Doi Suthep.
Doi Suthep Cable Car up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
My Rod Daeng alighted everyone in front of the Doi Suthep Cable Car Station on the main road.
The staircase up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is ahead. It’s free, but it also requires a lot more effort and energy.
Heading into the Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station.
Ticket Counter
Tickets for foreigners for the Doi Suthep Cable Car costs 50 Baht for a round trip. This is made up of a 30 Baht admission fee for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the 20 Baht fare for the round-trip on the Doi Suthep Cable Car. For local Thais, only the 20 Baht fare for the round-trip on the Doi Suthep Cable Car is charged, with free entry to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
My tickets for the Doi Suthep Cable Car and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Heading to the ticket checking and boarding area.
A staff here tears and clips my tickets.
My checked tickets for the Doi Suthep Cable Car and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Boarding
The queue lines for the Doi Suthep Cable Car also indicate the car numbers.
Boarding the Doi Suthep Cable Car immediately as it had just arrived at my queue.
Doi Suthep Cable Car
On departing from the lower station, it became obvious to me that the Doi Suthep Cable Car is more of an inclined lift than a cable car in the normal sense of the word, be it a funicular or gondola, though, granted, the inclined lift does operate with cables.
The Doi Suthep Cable Car has glass sides, allowing for a view of the ride. The entire track is covered, probably to protect it from the weather and wildlife.
Crossing with an opposing “cable car”. All tracks operate separately.
Approaching the top end of the line.
The Doi Suthep Cable Car is made in Thailand by OMC Sanyu Elevator Co.,Ltd.
Alighting from the Doi Suthep Cable Car at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the upper station.
Taking the stairs up from the platform.
Heading out of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep upper station.
The other lift was undergoing maintenance.
The Doi Suthep Cable Car Upper Station at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Toilets are available beside the upper station before proceeding to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The façade of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the main entrance when coming by staircase from the main road.
Ticket Counter (Pedestrians only)
A Wat Phra That Doi Suthep ticket counter for foreigners is also available here for foreigners coming to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep by steps. Foreigners pay a 30 Baht admission fee for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Local Thais have free entry to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This fee has already been paid earlier if coming by cable car. There is no need to double-pay.
Heading in to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Shoes Locker
Shoes must be taken off when entering Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Shoe racks are available by the entrance.
Proper dressing is also required to visit the temple grounds.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Golden Mount
The iconic golden mount at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple.
Doi Suthep Lookout Point
There is also a lookout point within the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple compounds, overlooking Chiang Mai city and Chiang Mai International Airport.
Looking down at Chiang Mai city.
The viewpoint also allows a full view of Chiang Mai International Airport.
The nature scenery on Doi Suthep mountain can be seen to the sides of the lookout point.
Doi Suthep Cable Car down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Heading back to the Doi Suthep Cable Car Upper Station to head back down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
The Doi Suthep Cable Car ticket is checked here again with the last portion of coupon torn off and retained.
Heading down to queue for the Doi Suthep Cable Car. A departing cable car was quite full, and I decided to wait for the next one.
Boarding
With the door closed, the Doi Suthep Cable Car really looks line a regular lift, including a call button to press on demand. The mode was switched to automatic calls, with no button pressing needed.
A window also looks down to the double-double-tracked Doi Suthep Cable Car.
The green cable car was departing, which I skipped as it was almost full.
My incoming orange cable car.
The upcoming batch of passengers alight first.
Doi Suthep Cable Car
A cable car attendant is stationed on board.
Air-conditioning is provided on board the Doi Suthep Cable Car.
The attendant closes the doors from an open panel and starts the descend.
Heading down from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Passing by the green cable car which is coming up now.
Looking down at the “cable car” tracks.
Approaching the bottom end of the tracks.
The bottom end of the Doi Suthep Cable Car tracks.
Heading out of Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station to the main road.
The façade of Doi Suthep Cable Car Lower Station.
Conclusion
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is not just a religious destination if you are not a Buddhist or related religion. Tourists can also explore the unique Doi Suthep Cable Car and experience the breathtaking views overlooking Chiang Mai city down below. The combined experience of the Rod Daeng, Cable Car, and viewpoint makes it a unique destination to visit in Chiang Mai.