Wat Phrathat Doi Kham Temple

Get an authentic temple experience in Chiang Mai at Wat Doi Kham temple

Wat Prathat Doi Kham temple, locally referred to as Wat Doi Kham, is a very popular temple among expats and locals, but it has remained off the typical tourist path. This means you are more likely to see an authentic temple experience and not be surrounded by tour buses.

It’s also a favourite temple for adventurous families with kids. On weekends or holidays, you’ll often see lots of families here hiking up to the temple. Doi Kham provides a temple experience like no other near Chiang Mai and a fantastic view of the city as well.

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Visit the other temple on the mountain in Chiang Mai

Wat Doi Kham is located on Doi Suthep, but is not to be confused with Wat Doi Suthep. In fact, you can see it really clearly especially from Hang Dong. It is surrounded by lush forest and has become a very popular temple in recent years after a local won the lottery! Since then, people flock to it to make merit and wishes that they too, will have luck.

While you can drive up to the temple, the parking lot gets full really quickly at the top. Therefore there is a secondary and much larger parking lot at the base of the road up to Wat Doi Kham. You’ll have to park and hire a songtaew up to the top and take one back down again. It should cost 20 – 30 baht a trip per person.

Or even better – you can hike to the temple!

Try this easy hike with the kids

It’s a really nice and easy hike and kids can do it too. Mine both did it from around age 2 with a little bit of carrying.

The hiking path begins at the back of the parking lot right across from Cup Fine Day, which is a great spot to get a treat after completing the hike. The first leg of the hike looks like the photo above. Large, wide steps that will eventually lead to a gazebo where you can rest.

After that, the naga stairwell awaits!

Just remember that even though you’re going on a hike, you must still dress appropriately to enter the temple. You can learn about proper temple etiquette here.

While, yes, that looks intimidating, it’s actually not that bad. The last stretch is a bit tough, but then you are rewarded with the incredible views of Chiang Mai. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Chiang Mai.