Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai

If you're not too "templed out", Doi Suthep Temple is a lovely one to visit because there are spectacular views from there across the city of Chiang Mai to the hills beyond.  

Actually, Doi Suthep is the name of the mountain, whilst the temple's proper name is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.  Be prepared for the 309 steps ... or you can take a cable car for a modest price and save your energy!

Whilst you're going to visit the temple, there are also the Bubing Palace and Hmong Doi Pui tribal village further up the mountain along the same route. 

There's plenty of fun to be had before you even start the trip if you're hoping to take a songthaew - a shared taxi (created by adapting a pick up truck with 2 benches and a covered cabin).  You really have to accept that a large majority of the songthaew drivers will try to take advantage of the fact that you're foreign (and, in their minds, unfamiliar with the currency), as well as that THEY have a service you require.

A friend and I patiently waited for half an hour whilst a driver tried, in vain, to attract other potential passengers so that we could all travel for a discounted price.  However, the heat began getting to us and we had to resort to walking away before another driver ran after us and offered a much reduced price which we were willing to pay.

There are a number of pagodas, shrines, bells and statues (drawn from both Buddhism and Hinduism) within the temple, along with the impressive chedi.

There are a lot of tourists who visit, but Buddhists and Hindus also come here to pray.  There is a strict code of appropriate dress, but garments can be hired (10 baht) for those who didn't realise and only have shorts and sleeveless tops.