Chiang Dao Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Thailand’s Hidden Mountain Escape

“Come on, let’s go to Chiang Dao,” my good friend Adam said to me. “Where?” – I asked. I had never heard of Chiang Dao. At the time, we were both living in Chiang Mai and finishing a teaching course at SEE TEFL. Adam was teaching me how to ride a scooter, and his intention was simply to send me into deep waters – read, have me drive 2 hours from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao via the expressway. Thanks to him, I learned about the village and have been going there regularly for almost 10 years. Chiang Dao charmed me with its atmosphere, the possibility to relax, charming cafes and amazing views of the mountains. In this article you will learn more about what to do and see in Chiang Dao.

Chiang Dao is located about two hours from Chiang Mai. It is a slightly larger village, bisected by an expressway. When you drive through there, it’s hard to see the charm of the place. It’s only when you head into one of the outgoing streets that you come upon rice fields, mountain vistas, flowing streams, quiet temples and lush greenery. Chiang Dao is an ideal place for a short weekend getaway and a stay in nature. Many expats come here to relax. It is sure to be a wonderful spot on the region’s map for those who love nature, trekking and looking for a respite from city life.

How to get to Chiang Dao?

The easiest way to get to Chiang Dao is from Chiang Mai. You can, of course, go by scooter or car. The former option is certainly more challenging. The road from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao is quite busy in parts. You have to be careful here and it’s best to just keep to the left. By car it is certainly more comfortable and faster.

If you don’t have your own transportation, you will catch a bus in Chiang Mai from the bus station at the north gate. It is a very small station and the buses are local and old, but it is definitely an adventure. As of today, you can’t buy tickets online. You have to go to the station on the day of your trip and buy at the ticket office. Check before you go to 12GoAsia, however, as things may change for the next addition to this post.

Currently there is no bus service between Pai and Chiang Dao. You have to take a bus and go to Chiang Mai and transfer there. This trip may take you two days. Alternatively, you can hire a private driver in Pai. Find a connection on 12GoAsia.

What to see and do in Chiang Dao?

Visit the Chiang Dao Cave

The cave in Chiang Dao is certainly one of the main attractions. The cave stretches for about 12 kilometers, but not everything can be explored here. For 40 THB, you can go inside and walk through a small temple, and a short corridor passing by the rocks. This is an option for children, and people who don’t want to or can’t undertake much physical exertion. The second option costs 200 THB per person and is done with a guide. You then enter the part that leads through narrow corridors and slippery passages between the rocks. The guide is unlikely to tell you anything about the place. He will only point to the rocks around you and say that this one resembles a rooster, this one an egg, and this one something else. He will also show you in passing the spiders and bats that inhabit the cave.

The attraction is definitely worth a visit, as it is a bit different from the ones you will see in Asia. Especially the guided walk seems to be an adventure. The only thing I don’t like about this place is the fees. Not only does the entrance cost 40 THB, 200 THB costs to rent the flashlight alone, and the guide will tell you at the end that no one pays them and ask for a tip, which is always about 100 THB.

Map and location
Opening hours: from 7AM until 5PM.

Hike or drive up the Doi Luang Mountain

Doi Luang is the name of the mountain that you will see from almost anywhere in Chiang Dao. The terrain of the mountain, and the surrounding area, is where coffee is cultivated, which is why you will often see Doi Luang coffee advertised in the Chiang Mai region. It is a beautiful place to visit. The drive up the mountain itself is wonderful, as the views from the trail are truly amazing.

At the top of the mountain is a village of the Lisu tribe. There are quite a few bungalows for rent there. I have never used it, but I think it is really worth staying there at least for one night. It must be amazing when you wake up with that view.

There are also a couple of cafes in the village. Lisu Cafe is the most popular, because it has the best view from the terrace. You’ll get roti there, and good coffee.

Doi Luang is definitely worth coming to at sunrise. However, keep in mind that it is very cold here in winter and if you are on a scooter you will definitely get cold. Around 8 or 9 o’clock it is a bit more pleasant here. After that it gets a bit too hot. Apparently, hiking is also possible on the mountain, but I went there on a scooter.

Map and location – from Chiang Dao it is easy to get there. The road up is not that steep.

Entrance for foreginers is 400 THB. It’s a bit too much for what the mountain offers. Try to come here very early in the morning, before the sunrise and you won’t have to pay.

Visit the Wat Tham Pha Plong temple in Chiang Dao

This temple also organizes meditations for foreigners. I’ve wanted to go there for a few days for many years, but getting up at 3 a.m. effectively discourages me from doing so. However, I think a few days at this temple would be an absolutely wonderful experience.

Tham Pha Plong is a tiny temple located on top of a hill. It is accessed by nearly 500 stairs, along which Buddhist quotes about life and death are arranged. Every now and then you can stop, read the sign and contemplate, and take a breather on occasion. The staircase is also surrounded by lush vegetation that provides some shade. Halfway down you’ll also find a small gazebo where you can catch your breath.

The view on the way to the temple is very nice. You can just see the golden-white stupa against the green hills. Unfortunately, I only have old photos of this view, because when I was there again the stupa was under renovation. Although even with those blue coverings it looks nice.

Inside, the temple has a small shrine that has been carved into the rock. It looks a bit like half of a cave. Statues of Buddha stand in it. There is also a small library that anyone can use, and right next to it are the quarters of the monks and the quarters of the people who meditate here. When the stupa is not under renovation, you can go up to the observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the surrounding forests and hills. Besides, I also recommend crouching down here and sitting in silence, watching the birds fly by and immersing yourself in your thoughts.

Location and map
The temple is open from dusk till dawn.

Visit the rice fields, Arts Space and Kamphanna

I like this part of Chiang Dao best, although maybe it’s just sentiment. Once, when I first came here, my scooter broke down. I pushed it from a nearby mountain to this very area, where a very friendly mechanic not only repaired my vehicle, but also treated me to tea. At the time I was also enthralled by the rice fields around, and ended up at Arts Space – a very interesting place where art is combined…with a hostel. At that time it stood totally empty, because it was after the season. There weren’t even any owners. Then I went with my husband and we stayed there for the whole afternoon, drinking cold tea and enjoying the views. Then I also ended up at Kamphanna, a small food cafe offering a beautiful observation deck in the middle of a rice field.

I highly recommend to go there when traveling in the area. They are the perfect spots to relax and feel a bit like you are in Pai.

Location – Arts Space
Location – Kamphanna

Soak in the Chiang Dao Hot Springs

In Chiang Dao itself there is one spot with hot springs. I won’t tell you anything about them for now, because I haven’t been there yet, but I know that many people go there in winter and use them in the morning or evening. Instead, I had the opportunity to be in another place, which I’ll tell you about soon.

Location and map
Open 24/7
Entrance – free

Take a photo in the giant trees in Chiang Dao

This seems to be more of a trend among Asians, but I add it as a curiosity. On the road leading in Chiang Dao to the Chiang Dao cave site, there are small queues to take photos. There are tall trees along the road, a yellow line winds clearly on the asphalt, dividing two lanes, and you can see curves and a road sign in the back. Thais like to take photos here, so I also wanted to have one. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out too well for us, as cars kept passing by.

Location and map

Climb the sticky waterfall Sri Sangwan

When I was going to this waterfall it was already quite late, but the sun was still shining. The road was only supposed to take 30 minutes, so it wasn’t terribly long. I wasn’t expecting that much and had absolutely no expectations of it. It was just supposed to be a quick trip outside of Chiang Dao. For me, Sri Sungwan Waterfall was a total surprise. Wow! First of all, the place is really very pretty and photogenic. With the setting sun, the light was perfect for photos. Secondly, thanks to its high calcium content, the waterfall is ‘sticky’, just like the famous Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall. It is not slippery and is safe to walk on. I specifically climbed it twice and really was able to do so without much trouble.

Location and map
Opening hours – I don’t have much details about it, but I think it opens at 8:00 AM and closes around 4 or 5PM.
Entrance fee: 120 THB, which also allows you to enter the hot springs, which are nearby.

Visit the Porng Ang Hot Springs

I mentioned the hot springs, which are in Chiang Dao. Porng Ang are a little further away, right next to the waterfall. Even if you don’t want to splash in them, go anyway, because you end up paying 120 THB for a ticket, so it’s worth taking advantage.

The park with the springs is extremely pleasant. There are pools where you can sit. There are places to dip just your feet. There is also a larger area where there are normal pools. It is definitely a good place for the winter months.

Location and map
Opening hours: from 8AM until 4PM
Entrance fee: 120 THB, but you can combine the visit with the waterfall.

Eat sticky rice in bamboo

On the expressway leading to Chiang Dao, you’ll find a very small store that sells sticky grilled rice. The rice is mixed with coconut milk and beans, scooped into hollow bamboo shoots and then grilled. When it is ready, it is pulled off and chopped with a cleaver to leave only the white part of the plant on it. Such bamboo is opened and the rice is taken out from inside. This is not only a delicious attraction, but also an interesting place for a short stop.

Location and map
Opening hours: from 8AM until 4PM.

Stop in a beautiful resort

The Chiang Dao area is not overwhelmed by the number of resorts or guesthouses. There are some, but not an alarming number. The most popular place is Nest. It has existed for a very long time and is very popular among expats. I, for my part, recommend 11 Rooms to you. I stayed there recently and it was wonderful. A beautiful place! We got room 2, which was right next to the terrace, where you could relax in silence. 11 Rooms has a well-kept garden, and a swimming pool and plenty of space to relax, and it’s really very quiet.

Drink some tea

Thai tea is delicious. The most famous one grows near Chiang Rai, but it is just as good in the Chiang Dao area. In the nearby mountains you’ll find Cha Raming Tea Plantation. Getting there may seem a bit difficult. If you go on a scooter, it needs to have a bit more power – about 120 CC and it’s good to have some experience driving such a vehicle. The hardships of the journey will be rewarded by the views, and fresh, delicious tea.

Location and map
Opening hours – from 8AM until 5PM.

Go to a festival

If hippie vibes are your vibe, head to the Shambhala in Your Heart Festival, which is held every February. It lasts for as long as 10 days and is very popular among Asians as well as Western visitors.

Where to eat in Chiang Dao?

Chiang Dao, for such a small town, really has a lot to offer in terms of food. You can find Thai food here, including those from the northern region, but also good quality Western food. I recommend you:

The One – is a roadside bar where you may not want to stop at first, but believe me it’s worth it. It’s run by a local family, and the mother-in-law of the lady behind the cash register rules the kitchen. She makes an insane laarb, moo krop, or papaya salad.

Nest 1 and Nest 2 – are slightly more expensive places, better, for example, for a romantic dinner. They serve mostly Western food.

Kiang Gung – the name currently on the Google map is in Thai, so just check the location. It is a place right next to a flowing stream. Customers sit in bamboo huts and order food, which is prepared on grills. Everything is fresh, good and priced right.

Jern’s Burgers – a good place if you are tired of Thai food. The pizza is OK. A bit like the frozen one from the supermarket. They have very good wraps there. I recommend the vegetarian versions.

Travel advice for your trip to Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao is a small town, but there is quite a bit to do in the area. You can go here for a weekend and that is certainly enough time to see most things. However, if you like to sit in a cafe and read a book or relax with nice views, then you can certainly plan more time for Chiang Dao with confidence.

Transportation in the town does not really exist. It is worth having your own. A scooter or a car will be a better option than relying on catching a songteaw – they are yellow here and frankly, I don’t know where exactly they go. You can book a guide at hotels, but again I think the lack of your own transportation will limit you greatly.

When going to Chiang Dao during the rainy season and winter, it’s a good idea to take warm things with you – a sweatshirt, long pants and covered shoes are a must at these times of the year. As soon as the sun goes down, it gets very cold. The mornings are really frosty and it doesn’t get warm until around 10 or 11 o’clock. During the day you are free to wear summer things. Just remember that this is not a big city and it’s better to just cover up more thoroughly so as not to shock the locals. In addition, remember that to the temples, as well as to the main cave, it is obligatory to wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees. I recommend bringing linen items with you. If you don’t know what to bring with you to Thailand, check out my post on what to pack for this trip.

Chiang Dao is an extremely charming place that will appeal to anyone seeking contact with nature, beautiful views, and a break from the city. It is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Every day you can enjoy other attractions in Chiang Dao – go to a waterfall, a cave, hiking. You will certainly not be bored here.

If you have been to Chiang Dao, please let me know if I have left out any attractions. I would be happy to take additional advice and go there next time. And if you haven’t gone there yet, maybe you have questions? Write to me boldly! I hope you enjoy your stay in Chiang Dao.

Are you going to Chiang Mai for the first time? Use my Guide to Chiang Mai, which will be perfect to plan and organize your trip.