Chiang Dao fun
People come to Chiang Dao for the awe-inspiring scenery
Chiang Dao is a popular Chiang Mai escape and is only and hour or so to the north of town by car. It is essentially a large mountain over a small town in the northwest of Thailand that was given the name ‘City of Stars’ (Chiang Dao), on account of the lofty Chiang Dao crown-like mountain reaching up to the heavens.
The town is not far from the base of the mountain and associated Chiang Dao National Park but, although slightly picturesque, is nothing to write home about and comes second after the mountain for all-out appeal. Most visitors come here to see the caves which are in the base of the mountain. There are also several other activities available in the Chiang Dao area and a string of guesthouses provide scores of beds.
The area is strewn with bamboo forests and waterfalls and there are miles of walking trails, including several over and around the mountain. One major draw to Chiang Dao is the cooler night-time temperatures owing to the increased altitude, although it still manages to get boiling hot during the day; particularly between March and June.
Chiang Dao activities
Lofty ground in Thailand always means good trekking and Chiang Dao is no exception. The trails here are much less visited than those around Chiang Mai and you can also go elephant riding and river rafting. In addition, the Chiang Dao Caves are a part of a huge cave system that stretches for several miles under the Thai northwest, although tourists can only experience the first mile or so.
Trekking Chiang Dao
The limestone Chiang Dao Mountain is a monster of a monolith and one of the highest peaks in Thailand. While slightly lower then Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao is far more impressive as far as mountains go, owing to its almost flat-top appearance and steep sides and the fact there’s no road up it.
Views from the summit of Chiang Dao are awesome and take in the town, the entire Chiang Dao mountain range, and even beyond Chiang Mai on a good day. It is always cool at the top and the tight plains are home to rare flowers and birds, making it popular with naturalists, and especially with birdwatchers.
The trek up the mountain can be quite arduous and should only be attempted when the area is dry – November through to March being the best window of opportunity through the year with the clearest air and views. There are different routes up Chiang Dao, but the main one is at Ban Tham near the entrance to Chiang Dao Cave. This is the fastest route up, although is pretty steep and heavy on the legs.
Many trekking operators in the area will also incorporate a trip up Doi Luang Chiang Dao with a visit to Karen and Lisu hill tribe villages, which can be found throughout Chiang Dao National Park. Treks will typically include food and equipment and are usually set up by the main guesthouses in the area. For more on treks from Chiang Mai.
Many treks include elephants as part of the deal
Chiang Dao Nest is the best known accommodation and tour operator in Chiang Dao. Along with their two guesthouses, they operate Chiang Dao Tours and Trekking to offer short and long treks. The longer ones go for two or three days through the national park and are led by hill tribe guides. Nearby Malee's do similar treks, as well as kayaking and white-water rafting on the Mae Taeng River.
Chiang Dao Caves
The caves are the most popular attraction at Chiang Dao owing to the ease of accessibility and the Thai’s love for them. The entrance is west of the town at the foot (literally) of the soaring Chiang Dao Mountain and the caves feature all the usual stalactites and stalagmites, along with a small Buddhist temple.
Visitors need to pay a token entry fee and also a guide fee if they want to take the tighter, non-lit passage. As far as caves go, Chiang Dao Caves are okay, although it’s all a bit contrived and the tour buses and concrete paths can be a bit off-putting. Be sure to ask the guide to take you deeper into the cave if you are a bit of a spelunker.
Not far from the entrance to the caves is an impressive temple partway up the mountain, which is accessible via a series of stone steps that go right through the limestone landscape. This area (north of the cave and beyond Chiang Dao Nest) is particularly popular with ornithologists.
Hot springs
Like all good northern Thai destinations, Chiang Dao has a set of hot springs, although they are more a trickle than a spring. A few concrete tubs are set up at the site, which is somewhat out of the way before the turning for the caves, and you will often see locals bathing in them.
Shopping & sustenance
The best thing about Chiang Dao town is its laid-back persona and the authentic markets. Hill tribe folk come down every Tuesday to sell their wares and it’s not as touristy as the markets in Chiang Mai. The town is strewn with local restaurants, but you’d be better off dining at your guesthouse if staying overnight if you don’t have any wheels.
Those that have a car or bike could head into town and try out Chiang Dao Steak House, which is next to Ban Wang Chom market in the northern part of town. They do good steaks at a decent price. There is also a quaint café next to the 7-11 right in town.
Where to stay
The Chiang Dao Nest is popular for its so so cabins, but more so for its food. Although somewhat extortionate for the area, dinners are especially good and consist of three courses. It’s a shame they don’t to standard Thai food alongside, but there you go.
They have two guesthouses - Chiang Dao Nest 1 and 2 – with number one the original and farthest out. It has the best kitchen and the huts are well spaced out around the grounds, which overlooks the mountain. Nest 2 is closer to the mountain and is also pretty good.
Others include Malee's Nature Resort, which is next door to Chiang Dao Nest 1 and sports similar accommodation and good food. New places pop up all the time and it is often best to simply drive up there and see what takes your fancy. For more on Chiang Dao.
Travel insurance: although trekking around Chiang Dao is extremely safe, twisted ankles and tropical bugs are always a possibility. Should the worst happen, it's imperative to have to quality travel insurance arranged. We recommend the online travel insurance site Travel Insurance Discounts for UK visitors.
Note! To secure a guaranteed room and find the best rates, we suggest you look online at Agoda.com. They seem to be the most competitively priced of the hotels sites.
