Sights in Northern Chiang Mai Province
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Wat Tha Ton
In Tha Ton, this temple climbs up the side of a wooded hill. There are nine different levels punctuated by shrines, Buddha statues and a chedi. Each level affords stunning views of the mountainous valley towards Myanmar (Burma) and the plains of Tha Ton. From the base to the ninth level, it is about 3km or a 30-minute walk. The short walk to the first level has a statue of Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion; the international liaison monk has his office here too. There's also a herbal medical centre with traditional massage, acupuncture and public saunas.
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Chiang Dao Cave
In the heat of the day, the coolest place in town is the Chiang Dao Cave, a complex said to extend some 10km to 14km into Doi Chiang Dao. There are four interconnected caverns that are open to the public. Tham Phra Non (360m) is the initial segment and is electrically illuminated and can be explored on one’s own. It contains several religious shrines, a common feature of Thailand’s caves, which are regarded as holy meditation sites. There are also some surreal-looking stalactites reminiscent of a Salvador Dali painting.
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Doi Pha Hompok National Park
This Park has a hot springs complex bòr nám rórn (bor náam hórn in northern Thai) that lies about 10km west of Fang at Ban Meuang Chom, near the agricultural station, off Rte 107 at the end of Rte 5054 (the park is sometimes referred to as Doi Fang or Mae Fang National Park). On weekends there are frequent sŏrng·tăa·ou carrying Thai picnickers from Fang to the hot springs. Also around mid-day, tour groups from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai crowd the pools.
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Maesa Elephant Camp
Catch your breath at the Maesa Elephant Camp, one of the route’s better elephant attractions where the animals seem happy and treated well. One hour shows (8am and 9.40am daily, plus 1.30pm during high season) feature the usual circus-like antics. If you arrive between shows, you can hang out on the pretty grounds, feeding the elephants sugar cane and bananas or go on an elephant trek into the jungle (for two people, 30 minutes/one hour 800/1200B).
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Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens
Two kilometres past the Maesa Elephant camp is the Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens, featuring a shorn mountainside displaying 227 hectares of various exotic and local flora for conservation and research purposes. The highlight of the collection is the glasshouse complex sitting near the mountain peak. Take the provided bus (30B) or your own car (100B) to get around the whole facility. Motorbikes are not allowed in the gardens.
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Nam Tok Mae Sa
Only 6km from the Mae Rim turn-off, Nam Tok Mae Sa is part of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. The cascade is a picturesque spot to picnic or tramp around in the woods for a bit and it is a favourite weekend getaway for locals.
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Tham Chiang Dao
In the heat of the day, the coolest place in town is the Chiang Dao Cave, a complex said to extend some 10km to 14km into Doi Chiang Dao. There are four interconnected caverns that are open to the public. Tham Phra Non (360m) is the initial segment and is electrically illuminated and can be explored on one's own. It contains several religious shrines, a common feature of Thailand's caves, which are regarded as holy meditation sites. There are also some surreal-looking stalactites reminiscent of a Salvador Dali painting.
To explore the other caves – Tham Mah (735m), Tham Kaew (474m) and Tham Nam (660m) – you can hire a guide with a pressurised gas lantern for 100B for up to…
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Doi Chiang Dao
Part of the Doi Chiang Dao National Park, Doi Chiang Dao (also called Doi Luang) pokes into the heavens at 2195m above sea level. From the summit, reachable by a two-day hike, the views are spectacular. The southern side of the mountain is believed to be one of the most accessible spots in the world to see the giant nuthatch and Hume's pheasant. Bird-watching and overnight treks can be arranged through local guest houses.
If you just want to wander by yourself, continue to the end of the cave road to Samnak Song Tham Pha Plong (Tham Pha Plong Monastic Centre), where Buddhist monks sometimes meditate. A long, steep stairway leads up the mountain to a large chedi framed by f…
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