Tour Programs brought to you by PJ's Place. The No1 Guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

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Chiang Mai
Thailand

PJ's Tours (T2)

Wat Phrathet Doi Suthep and Hmong Village Doi Pui

PJ's Tours will take you to visit Chiang Mai's most famous temple built high in the hills and overlooking the whole of Chiang Mai and will then continue on to a Hmong Hill-tribe village of Doi Pui to learn some of the customs and cultures of a by-gone era.
After about a 15 to 20 minute drive up a wide mountain road with superb views of Chiang Mai city we reach the Temple of Wat Phrathet Doi Suthep.

The temple was built in 1383 and is located 15 kms from the city and 3,500 feet above sea level. Featuring a marvelous golden pagoda containing holy relics of Lord Buddha. This temple and its golden Chedi attract Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep. Wat Phrathet Doi Suthep is approached on foot by climbing a steep 306 stairway flanked by tremendous mythical Nagas, which symbolize humanity's progress from earth into nirvana. For those who may find it difficult to climb the steps there is also a funicular railway to the Temple.

After leaving the temple, we drive a further 8 kms up the mountain to visit Doi Pui's Hmong hill tribe village.

Here we will visit two small museums which depict the life and culture of the Hmong people. In the museums you can see examples of and read about the opium wars and the various uses of opium by village shaman, local medicines and how to kidnap your bride to be. After viewing the museums, walk around the beautifully landscaped gardens and see some of the many varieties of poppy which will grow here. There are also market stalls selling many locally made handicrafts and even hire a hill tribe costume and get the real feel of what life was like here in the past.