A Guide to Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai: 4 Must-Know Facts

I’ve been in Chiang Mai, Thailand for two weeks at the time I’m writing this, and I already feel at home. So much so that I haven’t really explored much yet. I’ve fallen into a nice routine of jiu jitsu training and working from home – which I absolutely love.

So when my two best friends decided to visit, it felt like the perfect time for a proper weekend adventure. At the top of my list was Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Chiang Mai’s most sacred temples. Located on Doi Suthep mountain, it overlooks the city and it’s only 45 minutes drive from the city centre. Known for its golden pagoda, beautiful view, and the famous 306-step dragon staircase, it’s one of those places that feels both grounding and magical.

First Thing First: How to Get to Doi Suthep

After researching how to get there (the options are a private car, public transport from Chiang Mai Zoo, or a Grab car), we decided to just book a Grab car so we could head up early. And by early, I mean 7am – which, by the way, was a huge achievement for the three of us, considering we love a good sleep-in. I read that the sunrise from the viewpoint is amazing, but let’s not push it right? 7am felt ambitious enough, lol. One thing about taking a Grab car up there: some drivers might be a bit hesitant as they might struggle to find passengers on the way back down. In our case, the driver just asked if we could pay cash instead, which was absolutely fine.

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Outside of the temples – people often pray here too

The drive up the mountain didn’t feel long at all, especially with good company. Once we reached the foot of the mountain, the road began winding upwards. On the way up, we passed keen runners and determined cyclists. There’s also the Monk’s Trail if you fancy a hike up, which is popular among locals and hikers looking for a more challenging route to the top. Distance-wise, it’s only around 10km from the city. Technically, I could run to Doi Suthep… but my poor knees would never survive the elevation! Haha. We were dropped off right at the temple entrance, where loads of songthaews (Thai public transport vehicles) were parked. That instantly allayed my worries after all the earlier stress about whether we’d be able to find a Grab car back down.

Getting to the Top: Stairs or Cable Car?

Okay, so there are two ways to get to the top: the famous 306-step dragon staircase or the cable car. With a little bit of persuasion, I managed to convince the girls that the stairs were the right choice! It’s totally up to you if you want to take the cable car, but there’s usually a queue. The morning air is pretty chilly too, which makes a huge difference. Climbing the stairs when you’re not hot and drenched in sweat is way more pleasant. So yeah… give it a try 😉

Me and my best friends in front of Doi Suthep’s famous 306-step dragon staircase

Temples, Rituals, and Quiet Moments

Once we made it to the top, there are several temples you can to visit. Just a few things to keep in mind: wear respectful clothing; no tank tops, no shorts, and no shoes inside the temples. You’ll find shoe racks by the entrance where you can safely leave them. Within the temple areas, keep your voice low and your movements calm. You’ll often see people circling the pagoda clockwise three times, and you’re welcome to join in. There’s also a prayer you can recite to worship the pagoda.

There are prayer rooms you can walk into as well, and you’re free to pray in whatever belief you hold. I believe gratitude and blessings exist in every religion, so I visited a few of the prayer rooms with my friends – it felt very soothing. And if praying or rituals aren’t your thing, you can simply wander around and admire the beautiful Buddhist architecture. Once you’re done, take some time to soak in the view of Chiang Mai from the viewing point before heading back down.

Oh, one interesting thing I found in one of the prayer rooms – which I later read that it is actually a fortune-telling area, is that you can step in and say a personal prayer, whether it’s about life, love, decisions, or anything. Once you’re done, you shake a bamboo cylinder provided there until a numbered stick falls out. That number is considered your sign. You then match it to a paper on the wall that you can take, with a written fortune. People usually make a small donation afterwards.

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My friend Jessica in the fortune-telling area

A 50-Baht Ride Down The Mountain

We wrapped up our trip with coffee at one of the local food stalls near the dragon staircase. We sat outside on the balcony, watching songthaews line up to head off to different destinations. We then decided to stop by the closest national park, which I’ll cover in the next article. By the way, a one-way songthaew ride to the national park (it’s close enough to the city) costs just 50 baht! Super affordable and so much fun. We shared the ride with other travellers – an experience I hadn’t had in years.

The iconic red songthaew (Thai public transport vehicle) lining up by the entrance of Doi Suthep

Anyway, that’s my Doi Suthep adventure with my girls. Hope you found some useful tips if you’re planning a trip there or to Chiang Mai in general. I’ll be in this beautiful city for a while, so expect more articles on other spots, restaurants, events, and whatnot. Stay tuned on www.kata-bella.com and follow us on Instagram @katabellamag.

Planning your trip to Doi Suthep

⏰ Opening hours: Daily, 6am – 6pm
🌅 Best time to visit: Sunrise or sunset for the magical views
📍Location: Around 10 – 13 km from the city centre, on Doi Suthep Mountain
🎟️ Entrance fee: 50 baht for foreign visitors (for temple maintance)
🚘 Transportation: Grab car, songthaew, private car, or a mountain bike! 😉
🚶🏼 Access to the temple: Stairs or cable car
👗 Dress code: Clothing that covers shoulders and knees
🚽 Toilets: Available downstairs near the cable car entrance (they’re clean!)

Personal tips:

Get there as early as you can – the weather is cool in the morning and there are fewer people.
Try the fortune-telling area and do the pagoda loop for the full experience.
Go to the toilet before heading up and bring a water bottle. It gets really hot once the sun comes out.

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12 Mar 2026 by Bella in Asia

Chiang Mai Food Markets: 5 Popular Spots to Eat

If I live in Chiang Mai (which I kinda do now), I honestly don’t see why I’d ever need to cook. You’re spoiled with food options here, across all kinds of cuisines and prices. Sure, every few metres you can find a decent Thai restaurant, but while most of them are good, I find eating at the markets much more interesting because you can try a little bit of many different things in one place. Here are five popular food markets in Chiang Mai I keep coming back to. Chiang Mai Walking StreetLanna SquareKalare Night BazaarOne Nimman Street Food MarketCoconut Market You may also like this article: A Guide to Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai - 4 Things to Know Chiang Mai Walking Street This is probably the biggest market in Chiang Mai, held every Sunday. It stretches from Tha Pae Gate all the way to Wat Phra Singh - if you walk the whole route, it’s around 1 km long. Most vendors sell handcrafted items, clothes, and souvenirs, but you’ll also find buzzing food markets inside the courtyards of two temples along the way. Once your tummy is full, you can browse the street vendors or surrender to the joy of a foot massage which you can find right outside the temples - like....a whole street of pop up foot massage chairs. 🍜 Food and drink highlights: chicken and pork skewers, grilled oyster mushrooms, pad thai, longan juice💵 Prices: 10 - 150 baht⏰ Opening time: Every Sunday, 4pm – late📍 Location: Chiang Mai Old Town – walk from Tha Pae Gate🚽 Toilet: At the temple entrances (bring a 5-baht coin) Chiang Mai Walking Street, image credit: Destino Chiang Mai Lanna Square Still in the Old City area, there’s this outdoor food court - a good starting point for beginners, hehe. Why beginners? Because I feel like it's more geared towards tourists; prices are slightly higher, and the food selection is more international, not just Thai. You’ll find everything from Japanese dishes and Western comfort food like beef brisket and loaded fries, to ice cream. There’s even Burmese cuisine I've never tried before. There’s also live music on the front stage, which adds a nice atmosphere. It’s usually busy, but in a comfortable way - not too hectic and not overly loud (perfect for millenials, hehe). It does get a bit quieter when the Chiang Mai Walking Street market is on. 🍜 Food and drink highlights: prawn pad see ew from Thai Taste, black sesame mochi, chicken satay💵 Prices: 60 - 300 baht⏰ Opening time: Every day, 5pm - midnight📍 Location: Chiang Mai Old Town - 5 Ratvithi Rd , Tambon Si Phum🚽 Toilet: At the entrance of the market (bring a 5-baht coin) A busy night at Lanna Square, Image credit: Lanna Square Facebook page You may also like this article: How to Stay in Thailand Visa-Free for 90 Days Kalare Night Bazaar Every time I come here or bring friends along, I have one very important mission: to eat the crispy pork belly from this stall right in the centre of the market. There are plenty of other tasty options too, but from what I’ve observed, many people come here for the seafood feast. It can get quite busy around dinner time and seating is limited, but if you’re patient and keep an eye out, you’ll eventually find a table. The market is part of the Night Bazaar, so it’s also a nice area to wander around and do a bit of shopping afterwards. And in case this helps with planning, there are a few five-star hotels nearby, like Marriott and Mövenpick. 🍜 Food and drink highlights: crispy pork belly, chicken and pork gyoza, pad see ew, fruit smoothies💵 Prices: 50 - 250 baht⏰ Opening time: Every day, 5pm - midnight📍 Location: 2 Changklan Rd, Chang Khlan Sub-district🚽 Toilet: Inside the market (bring a 5-baht coin) The lively ambiance at Kalare Night Bazaar One Nimman Street Food Market This market is located in an open-air shopping space called One Nimman. They have a backyard area that regularly turns into markets and events; from vintage markets and wine festivals to flower festivals. On weekends, it usually hosts a street food market. If you’re going with friends or a group, I like how convenient the place is: you can explore the food stalls, sit and eat in the market area, and then grab coffee at one of the nice cafés afterwards. 🍜 Food and drink highlights: steamed buns, pizza, gyoza, Thai tea💵 Prices: 50 - 200 baht⏰ Opening time: Friday - Sunday, 3pm - 10pm📍 Location: 1 Nimmanhemin Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai🚽 Toilet: Within the shopping centre There's also live entertainment at One Nimman Street Food Market Coconut Market Just when you think you’ve already been to all the food markets in Chiang Mai, there’s the Coconut Market. At first, I assumed everything there would be coconut-based (which I don’t really like - ironic, I know). But it turns out it’s just a regular market, though yes, coconuts and coconut ice cream do make their expected appearances, hehe. I think the name simply comes from the setting: an open field surrounded by coconut trees. 🍜 Food and drink highlights: tom yum noodles, som tum salad, grilled chicken, watermelon slushies💵 Prices: 20 - 100 baht⏰ Opening time: Saturday & Sunday, 8am - 3pm📍 Location: 94 Soi Ban Tong 2 Mu 3, Fa Ha, Chiang Mai🚽 Toilet: Inside the market The relaxed weekend vibe at Coconut Market Food markets are honestly one of the best ways to experience Chiang Mai. They’re lively, affordable, and full of little discoveries - whether it’s a new snack you’ve never tried before or a stall you keep coming back to for that one dish you can’t stop thinking about. If you’re visiting the city, try to explore at least one or two of these markets. Hope you find this information useful, and thank you for reading! 😊

24 Mar 2026 by Bella in Asia

Chiang Mai Cafes: 5 Cute Places with Great Coffee and Bites

Chiang Mai has turned into one of my favourite cities for coffee - I don’t think I’ve had a bad cup here so far. They’re all good for my taste, my stomach, and my wallet. I find coffee prices here really fair, and even the fancy ones with cream, oat milk, and all that stuff are still reasonable (compared to Bali at least). I haven’t tried many coffee shops in Chiang Mai yet, so this list will keep growing as I discover more cute spots. But for now, here are some of my favourites - places that are not only cute but also serve great coffee, pastries, and sweets. Monday AttackForest BakeGroonLondon BakeryMars You may also like this article: Chiang Mai Food Markets - 5 Popular Spots to Eat Monday Attack I like to imagine that the people behind this café simply weren’t built for office life, probably hated Mondays, and decided to start this coffee shop instead hehehe. Monday Attack has a cozy retro interior that looks cool from every corner, complete with a photobooth and nice cold air con (essential - if you need a little escape from the heat outside). I first came here after exploring Waroros Market nearby, and their iced latte topped with soft serve instantly won my heart. Turns out Mondays aren’t so bad when they involve good coffee and chilling. Forest Bake This is where you go when you want to enjoy a slow day in the garden with tea or coffee and an artisanal cake. Their pastries are made in small batches every day, so it’s best to come in the morning when everything is fresh, also because they tend to sell out quickly. The main bakery sits inside a cute little cabin that looks like it belongs in a European storybook. Outside, there’s a garden with a woodland aesthetic where you can truly take your time. I especially like their tarts; the blueberry and lemon ones are my favourites. Image credit: Forest Bake Instagram You may also like this article: A Guide to Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai - 4 Things to Know Groon I have so many good things to say about Groon. Not only is the coffee good, but they also make great scones, honey shokupan, and sometimes I even come here for lunch because I love their chicken quesadillas and truffle pasta. This café sits between two other dessert spots; one frozen yoghurt place (which I also like) and a bingsoo shop. My guess is that they share the same owner because everything is connected, and you can order from whichever one you feel like. Pastry image credit: Groon Instagram London Bakery Spoiler alert: they don’t sell any London or British pastries here haha! Quite the opposite, they serve Asian-inspired items like matcha flan, ube soft bread, and salt bread, alongside classics such as blueberry cheesecake, croissants, and pretzels. The interior looks very 90s in a charming way, featuring a candy-coloured gate (to the toilets, lol) and a giant statue of their mascot that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the world of Hansel and Gretel. And yes, of course, the coffee is good. But I usually come here for the munch, accompanied by coffee - not the other way around, hehe. You may also like this article: How to Stay in Thailand Visa-Free for 90 Days Mars Literally just a few steps away from London Bakery (I counted), you’ll find Mars café. The name already tells you what to expect the moment you walk in. Considering how Instagram-worthy this place is, it’s surprisingly not packed with people just taking photos. They actually come for the coffee too, which is nice. By the way, this café shares its entrance with a hotel upstairs, which makes for some very funny moments; you’ll see confused guests walking in expecting a normal hotel lobby, only to find themselves on what looks like a Star Trek film set, haha! I really like Chiang Mai and it’s coffee scene - every corner seems to hide another charming spot waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re here for serious coffee, sweet treats, or just a cozy place to slow down for a while, there’s always somewhere nice to try. And knowing me, this list definitely won’t stay at five for long. BRB checking out more cafes in town! ☕️

15 Jan 2025 by Bella in Europe

48 Hours in Amsterdam: A Quick Trip, Big Memories

As part of our wedding trip, my husband and I spent two nights in Amsterdam. Why? Well, because my Schengen visa entry is through Holland, and I had never been before - so why not. Flying directly in from Scotland, the temperature felt a lot warmer. It was cool enough to keep us comfortable while walking around, but not cold enough to need a thick jacket (it was the end of October by the way). It was my first time in Amsterdam, yet it already felt like home. For those who don’t know, Indonesia was colonised by the Dutch for a long time - long enough for their influence to shape our culture and daily life, from language to food and so much more. So many things I came across like home decorations, familiar snacks, chocolate sprinkles for breakfast brought back memories of my childhood at grandpa and grandma's house. Anyway, during the 48 hours I spent there, of course I did all the tourist things - and here they are. RijksmuseumMoco Museum Food HallenAmsterdam CanalsVolendam You may also like this article: A Playful Stay in Copenhagen - My 25hours Hotel Experience Rijksmuseum It’s one of the most iconic museums in Amsterdam, home to a collection of Dutch art by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. When I was there, they were running a collaboration with Disney, exploring the intersection of Disney’s iconic Donald Duck and the traditional art world. There were workshops and activities, like this one I did, sketching King William I from the 1800s... as Donald Duck. Quack! Left - Donald Duck drawing activity at Rijksmuseum. Middle and right - Moco Museum. Moco Museum Why not Van Gogh? Well, I didn’t have time for both, and I was drawn in by the artists they featured on the poster, like Banksy and Andy Warhol. They didn’t have an extensive collection though, but it was nice to feel like an art student again, when I used to visit galleries all the time. Left - Canal walk near the hotel. Middle and right - Bitterballen and Sate Ayam from the food hallen. Food Hallen We love food, but we’re not exactly the Michelin-starred-restaurant type of couple. Plus, I can only manage itty bitty portions, but I still want to try a little bit of everything. So, what’s a better spot than a food court? I sampled all sorts of snacks, but two highlights stood out: the Bitterballens and Sate Ayam. Now, you might be wondering, why would I eat Indonesian satay in the Netherlands? Well, I was curious - and I was pleasantly surprised that it was so delicious! Not very authentic, but it was pretty good. You may also like this article: A Magical Day at Harry Potter Studio Tour London Amsterdam Canals I am now officially one of those people who take photos in front of a canal, and I have absolutely no shame about being a typical tourist, haha! There’s something undeniably charming about the Amsterdam canals. I loved watching boats drift by, listening to the soft ripple of the water, and doing nothing. Day trip to Volendam - first time seeing a windmill! Volendam On our last day, my aunt, who lives there, took me to this charming fishing village, Volendam. It reminded me of Fife in Scotland - so nice. The highlight was a visit to a cheese and wooden clog studio, Henri Willig. I still don’t know how cheese and clogs are connected - and why I didn’t ask, lol. P.S. It was dangerous that they had cheese samples because, whoahh they were so good! I ended up going home with three different cheeses. Amsterdam left me with such a warm and fuzzy feeling - I’d happily return to again and again. In just 48 hours, I got a little taste of everything; the history, the art, the food, and all the charm. Two days wasn’t nearly enough, but it definitely left me wanting more. Until next time, Amsterdam!

A Guide to Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai: 4 Things to Know

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