Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep is on Doi Suthep, 3,520 feet above sea level, 15 kms. from town. Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep is a large golden pagoda in the center of the temple containing a part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. It is holy spot visited throughout the year by Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. This temple was built by King Gue-Na in 1383 A.D

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep is one of the four rayal wats (Wats under royal patronage) in the province of Chiang Mai. It is perched on a hilltop called "Doi Suthep", (the word 'Doi' is a northern Thai word meaning 'mountain', the word Suthep is a Thai word derived from the Pali Sudeva which was the name of a hermit who according to tradition, had lived there before the shrine came into being).

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred places in North Thailand since it is the place where a relic of the Buddha the sacred object of worship for Buddhist people everwhere, has been enshrined. The people of Chiang Mai, in particular, have regarded the temple as the tutelary shrine of Chiang Mai since ancient times. Perched on an imposing hill top and surrounded by picturesque scenery, the wat has become a must for the visitors from other provinces as well as from abroad. There is a popular saying that those who go to Chiang Mai without visiting Doi Suthep are no better than those who have never been to Chiang Mai at all.