Chiang Dao is Thailand’s third-highest mountain at 2,240 meters, but it is certainly its most dramatic, as its flanks rise almost sheer from the plain. In recent years it has grown in popularity as a place to go trekking or just marvel at the views.
Explore: Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center • Pha Daeng National Park • Tham Chiang Dao
- Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center: An ethical sanctuary where visitors can learn about elephant care and enjoy close interactions with these majestic animals in a natural setting.
- Pha Daeng National Park: A stunning natural sanctuary in Northern Thailand, known for its towering limestone peaks, lush forests, and diverse wildlife, offering excellent hiking, bird watching, and cave exploration opportunities.
- Tham Chiang Dao: This huge cave complex is a must see for cave enthusiasts. They are partially lit and can be wandered through at your leisure or with a lantern equipped guide.
In the shade of the mountain, the small town of Chiang Dao provides a good look at rural northern Thai life, with its Tuesday hilltribe market and laid-back vibe.
Chiang Dao is located directly north of Chiang Mai on Highway 107, and the journey there takes about an hour. The town itself consists of little more than a single street, with a market in the center that comes to life on Tuesdays when hilltribe people from nearby villages come to buy and sell food and household necessities.
Most tourists, however, never even see the town as the newish ring road around the town gives direct access to the mountain, the caves and accommodation options at its base.
Hardy types can trek to the very peak of Chiang Dao for stunning panoramic views or plunge into Chiang Dao Cave beneath the mountain and its 12kms of subterranean passages. There are five different caves open to the public.
There’s also excellent bird watching on the mountain, and after a hard day in the hills, local hot springs will soak away the aches. A nearby elephant is another popular attraction in the area.
Where to Go
- Pha Daeng National Park: Make the arduous trek straight up to the peak of the town’s iconic mountain.
- Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center: watch elephants show off their skills in an idyllic environment.
- Chiang Dao Cave: the town’s most popular attraction is a massive cavern complex with five caves open to the public.
When to Go
Chiang Dao has the same weather pattern as the rest of North Thailand, meaning the cool season lasts from November to February, the hot season from March to June, and the rain season from July to October.
If you just plan to visit the caves or the elephant camp, then any time of year is OK, but to trek to the top of Doi Luang, the main peak of the Chiang Dao range, you’ll need to plan it between November and March, as it’s not possible for the rest of the year.
If you can, book to go in early November, which is (hopefully!) just after the rains have finished, when the atmosphere is at its clearest and vegetation at its lushest. Even by early January the vistas can be spoiled by the haze that gets gradually thicker during the cool season.
Things to Do
Without doubt the most exciting activity is to climb to the peak of Doi Luang—the highest mountain in the Chiang Dao range—but you’ll need to book ahead through one of the local guest houses to arrange guides and equipment, as it’s not possible to find the way yourself. Allow a minimum of two days to get up and down, and try to time your visit at the beginning of the cool season (November-December) for the most favorable weather conditions.
chiang-dao-cave, located beneath the mountain, is a popular destination for Thai visitors, as it’s one of the deepest caves in the north. You’ll need to hire the services of a guide at the entrance if you want to explore the subterranean chambers.
If you’re in town on a Tuesday, it’s worth checking out the market in town, as on this day many hilltribe people, including the colorful Lisu tribe, come to town to buy and sell food and household implements.
Some 20km south of town, the Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center is one of the best-run elephant camps in the north, and is a good place to watch an elephant show and take a ride through the jungle.
- Tuesday hill tribe market: Every tuesday people from the local hill tribes come to town to sell their wares.
Getting There
The easiest way to get to Chiang Dao is by bus from Chang Puak bus station in Chiang Mai; the journey takes about an hour and a half. If you’re heading for one of the guest houses at the base of the mountain, you’ll need to charter a songthaew to travel the last 5 kilometers. The nearest airport is at Chiang Mai, and the overland journey from Bangkok takes about 10 hours.
Getting Around
Most visitors to Chiang Dao either want to climb the mountain or just sit back and enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery, so no transport is necessary. If you need to go in and out of town, take a songthaew or motorbike taxi.
Where to Stay
Chiang Dao’s steadily increasing popularity as a destination is reflected by a growing number of accommodation choices in the area. There are likely to be luxury resorts opening here in the future, given the superb mountain views from everywhere in the area.
At present most accommodation options offer simple, guest house style lodgings, and most places, including our two recommendations below, can arrange treks to the top of the mountain. They are located beyond the turn-off for Chiang Dao Cave, right in the shadow of the mountain.
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Chiang Dao Nest: A cozy retreat offering comfortable bungalows and a renowned restaurant, nestled in the serene foothills of Doi Chiang Dao.
This place has two sites along the same road, separated by a few hundred meters. All bungalows are wooden, A-frame structures and comfortably equipped with private shower and fans, set in a pleasant garden. Rates vary wildly throughout the year so check their website for rates at the time you plan to be there; obviously the peak trekking season at the end of the year is most expensive. Facilities are similar at both sites, but if you want to indulge in gourmet dining, book into number 1.
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Malee’s Nature Lovers Bungalows: A tranquil getaway featuring rustic bungalows surrounded by lush gardens and close to the Chiang Dao caves and hot springs.
Over the last decade, Malee’s has gradually developed a reputation as one of the most reliable trekking organizers in the region, and the resort has gradually expanded so that they now offer everything from basic fan rooms with shared bathrooms to honeymoon suites equipped with king-size beds, writing tables and balconies. Like Chiang Dao Nest, rates vary wildly according to the season so check their website for more details.
Where to Eat
In Chiang Dao town you’ll find the usual food stalls clustered around the market, selling dishes like phad thai and khao man gai. However, it’s hardly worth making the 5-kilometer journey into town if you’re staying in one of the guest houses at the foot of the mountain as they all have perfectly adequate kitchens, serving Western breakfasts and a range of international and Thai dishes. The big surprise here is that you can indulge in Western gourmet food at Chiang Dao Nest, prepared by the Thai owner who was trained in the UK to create all kinds of exotic fusion dishes.
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Chiang Dao Nest Restaurant: A highly acclaimed restaurant known for its gourmet European and Thai cuisine, set in a peaceful, natural environment with stunning mountain.
One of the biggest dining surprises in all of North Thailand, Chiang Dao Nest serves up some extremely sophisticated fusion food, such as pork tenderloin with blue cheese sauce and paprika marinated chicken with pine-nut crust—right in the middle of nowhere. The menu changes daily and depends on the availability of ingredients in the local market. There are some devilish desserts as well, and Thursday night is a barbecue buffet—all you can eat for 345B.
Where to Party
Nightlife in Chiang Dao consists of little more than planning your assault on the mountain, recovering from your exertions after the trek, or chatting with other trekkers about how wonderful the views are on top.
Where to Shop
Rather than thinking about what souvenirs or gifts you can buy in Chiang Dao, which are non-existent, you should be planning what to take with you from Chiang Mai that will keep up your energy levels while trekking on the mountain—chocolate bars, nuts and electrolyte drinks, for example.
Need to Know
- Worth it? Definitely, as it provides great opportunities for trekking and offers rewarding views.
- What to do: climb Chiang Dao’s rocky summit, delve deep into the limestone caves, ride an elephant and check out the colorful hilltribe market every Tuesday.
- Best time to go: the cool dry winter season from November to February.
- How long? You can easily spend several days relaxing in Chiang Dao.