Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: Dress Code, Etiquette & Visiting Tips

Your shoulders and knees must be covered, and the rule applies to men and women alike. Avoid vests, tank tops, spaghetti straps, short shorts, above-the-knee skirts and see-through fabric. It is actively enforced, so anyone underdressed is asked to cover up before the upper terrace. If in doubt, wear long trousers or a below-the-knee skirt with a sleeved top, or carry a scarf or sarong to cover up on the spot.

Knee-length shorts are fine for men and women; short shorts and anything above the knee are not. Leggings on their own are borderline at the temple and better worn under a long top or skirt. Note that Bhubing Palace, 4 km up the same road, does not accept leggings at all, so if you plan to visit both, wear long trousers or a long skirt from the start of the day.

Yes. Covered shoulders are required to go up to the temple terrace, for men and women. Skip sleeveless tops, vests and spaghetti straps. The easiest fix is to carry a light scarf, sarong or dupatta and drape it over your shoulders when you arrive, which also doubles as sun protection on the exposed, high mountain terrace.

Yes, remove your footwear before stepping into the inner terrace shrines and prayer halls where the golden chedi stands. There are racks by the entrance, and socks are fine if you prefer not to go barefoot. You keep your shoes on for the 309-step staircase, the lower courtyard and the viewpoints. Slip-on shoes or sandals make this far easier than laced boots.

Cover-ups are usually available to borrow or hire near the entrance for a small fee or a refundable deposit. The catch is that they can run short when tour groups arrive and the fabric is coarse, so packing your own light sarong or large scarf is cheaper and more comfortable, and it works at every other temple on your trip. An Indian cotton dupatta is ideal.

Women follow the same cover-shoulders-and-knees dress code, and there is one extra rule: a woman should not touch a monk or hand anything to him directly. Place the item down or pass it through a man, and the monk will use a cloth to receive it. Beyond that, everyone should keep their head lower than the monks and Buddha images, sit with feet tucked away, speak quietly and avoid public displays of affection.