Shruti Malhotra
Pai is well-known by all. Chiang Dao, however, is a hidden city at the base of the mountains that is just waiting to be discovered. She can be completely unknown to you. Chiang Dao, like her sister city Pai, offers visitors tranquil scenery, fascinating cultures, and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai’s urban core. Come along as we share the story of our recent day trip to this peaceful village, where we found a great balance of breathtaking scenery, delicious food, and spiritual depth. With its many waterfalls, hot springs, mountaintop bungalows, varied cuisine, and lively art workshops, Chiang Dao proved to be a peaceful sanctuary. The town’s small size made exploring it a breeze, and it offered a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city.
What kinds of things may one do in Chiang Dao?
Most of Chiang Dao’s famous landmarks are located on the main road, however a few are just 10 minutes away to the northwest on the Ban Tham road. Hitchhiking from the bus station or anywhere in town will get you to Ban Tham just as easily as hailing a songthaew (100 THB one way). The town also offers motorcycle rentals for 300 THB daily.
A Cave in Chiang Dao
The Wild Boars, a group of twelve boys and their soccer coach who were miraculously rescued after being trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai for two weeks, have made caves and northern Thailand a household name.
The caverns and Buddhist temples within Chiang Dao Cave are well worth a visit, and the cave may even be the most famous site in the region. You can spend 30–60 minutes exploring the illuminated section of the cave on your own, or you can hire a guide to show you the deeper, darker parts.
The mysterious part is an exciting test of faith in your guide that makes you feel a little bit like Indiana Jones, but it’s a typical stop on the Chiang Dao tourist route, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.
You have to pay 100 Thai Baht to get into the cave. The price goes up by 100 if you choose to hire a guide to go into the dark interior.
Thai temple Wat Tham Pha Plong in Chiang Dao
When you leave Chiang Dao Cave and go two kilometers up the road, you’ll find Wat Tham Pha Plong Chiang Dao, literally “walking temple.” A golden pagoda sits atop the 500 stairs that lead up from the parking area of the temple. As you make your way up the trail that skirts the edge of the woodland, you’ll see periodic postings of wise sayings and poems.
The main hall of the temple is located in a small cave just before the pagoda atop the mountain; from the height, one can view far into the jungle. Admission to the temple is not charged.
Doi Chiang Dao
Doi Chiang Dao is always an option if you feel like wading uphill to Wat Tham Pha Plong. With an elevation gain of approximately 1100 meters, the roundtrip takes 8 hours and covers 7.5 kilometers one way.
A little drive within the park leads to the trailhead. While some choose to complete the ascent in a single day, many opt to spend the night at the peak in order to witness the dawn. The entrance fee to the national park is 200 THB, and the starting price for a group guide is 1000 THB.
The Hot Springs in Chiang Dao
Located south of the Ban Tham region, the Chiang Dao Hot Springs are at the end of a rough road. Set beside a stream are concrete tubs that can accommodate two or three people, and mineral water that is nearly boiling is piped in from across the street. If you want to avoid the crowds or have a real Thai family vacation experience, go at night or early morning when both visitors and residents from Chiang Dao appreciate the spot. Renting bicycles for the day and riding around would be a wonderful, easy way to see the area.
The Art Space at Makhampom
Makhampom Art Space is one of the trendiest places in already-artsy northern Thailand, and it’s a fantastic pit stop if you’re planning a day of biking. Makhampom is a piece of property that is managed by an artists’ collective. It houses a theater group, a cafe, and the studios of local mixed media and sculpture artists, as well as theatrical workshops and performances.
They’ve transformed it into their very own group art show, complete with scarecrows in the front rice paddies and a collection of recycled instruments. From the bus terminal, located east of town, it is a two-kilometer walk to the free entrance.
Where to get something to eat and drink?
Chiang Dao Nest
For more than fifteen years, Chiang Dao Nest has been satisfying customers with the finest Western cuisine in town. Pasta with fire-roasted tomatoes and fresh parmesan, brie toast, baked egg dishes with swiss cheese and salmon, and a whole page of salads are just a few of the options. They also provide breakfast, Italian, sandwiches, roasts, and toasts.
It’s on the pricier side (150-200 THB for most plates), but the lush decor and delectable dishes make up for the high price. The restaurant is located beneath a mountain, so the view is breathtaking. You may find their menu displayed there.
Sudjairai
At Sudjairai, you may experience the authentic Thai cowboy vibes while enjoying live music, cocktails, and the company of other Chiang Dao residents. Great traditional Thai cuisine, including curries, larb (a salad of chopped meat and pig), pad thai, pad see ew, tom yam, yam kai dao (a spicy salad of fried eggs), and som tam (a papaya salad), is served at this restaurant on the corner of Ban Tham road and one of the freeways.
Microkosmos Beverage
Chiang Dao is now home to IPAs, stouts, ambers, and goses. The home-brewing company known as Microkosmos serves craft beer from all around the globe, including Thailand. The finest beers start at 180 THB because Thailand still has incredibly high taxes on imported alcohol. The fries and burgers are cooked to perfection as well.
Where can one find lodging in Chiang Dao?
Chiang Dao Hut Resort
On the Ban Tham road, you’ll find the basic Chiang Dao Hut Resort, where you may stay in a hut for 400 THB each night. The backdrop is the show-stopper; the majority of the porches look out over the mountainside rainforests and rock walls.
Manatee’s Bungalows for Nature Lovers
Located on a peaceful road near the Nest and Wat Tham Pha Plong, Malee’s Bungalows offers a tranquil retreat with a swimming pool, verdant gardens, and an excellent little restaurant. Local jams and freshly baked bread are staples in the morning meal. The price was slightly higher than Chiang Dao Hut, and during peak season, it was significantly higher yet.
Chiang Dao Nest
One of the most pleasant places to stay in Chiang Dao is at The Nest. No other on-site restaurant in Chiang Dao compares to this one, what with the pool, immaculate huts, and air conditioning. Prices for bungalows begin at 950 THB, and online booking is the only way to secure one.
Methods for reaching Chiang Dao
The ideal way to do Chiang Dao is on a motorbike, if you can ride one safely. While you’re there, you should definitely stop and enjoy the scenery along the way up. The road is easy and passes through a verdant river canyon, unlike any other we’ve driven through in Thailand. To reach the Mae Rim National Park from Chiang Mai, head north on Highway 107 and continue straight for about an hour. If you’re visiting south of metropolis toward Ban Tham and the cave course, you have to stay to the left on the crossing. Chang Puek bus station, not the foremost bus station, is located north of the historic city and is the better option if you select taking the bus. The price is 40 baht, and they depart every half an hour. Unfortunately, it will only take you to the bus station in the heart of Chiang Dao town; to reach most guesthouses, you will need to hitchhike or take a songtaew.
Conclusion
This spot is a genuine representation of northern Thailand and has its own special allure. It was an impromptu journey. Although the hotel was lovely, we would have stayed in one of the picturesque mountaintop cottages that we saw online if they had returned my call sooner. Chiang Dao is an underrated gem in Northern Thailand. We genuinely don’t want it to get too popular with overtourism, since it’s great the way it is now. We’d highly recommend you to go here!!
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