Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is a mountainous region named for two of northern Thailand's most sacred peaks, Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. The twin summits are covered in dense jungle, with lowland rainforest giving way to cloud forest as you climb in elevation.
The park is situated only a few kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai City and spans across 265 square kilometers. The many trails that weave through the park were once used as trade routes by hill-tribe villagers. Today, they are what makes the park a renowned destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Whether it is for the several waterfalls found along these trails or the nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants within the park, Doi Suthep-Pui is vastly popular among nature enthusiasts.
Coffee in Paradise
The high altitude creates a pleasant, cool climate that is ideal for coffee production. A great place to visit is the village of Baan Khun Chang Kian, located about 500 meters down a dirt road just beyond the Doi Pui Campground. The villagers here make their living off of small coffee plantations along the hillsides.
A Prayer for Peace
Spirituality is not lost in the dense jungle of the mountains. Aside from the Theravada Buddhist temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep located in the park, you can also find spirit houses situated near trees. A spirit house is a shrine to the protective spirit of a particular place. It is typically a small, roofed structure mounted on a pillar or on a dais ( a raised platform). A long-standing tradition in Thailand is to leave offerings of food or drink at a spirit house, in hopes of conjuring friendly spirits who will serve to keep more malign spirits at bay.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is full of the vibrant culture and wild nature that makes Thailand so great. There is ample opportunity for hiking, biking, and exploring. Anyone looking for adventure would not be disappointed by a visit to this amazing place.
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