Azalea Village
Hotel in
Thailandee!com
Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Home > Destinations in Thailand > Chiang Dao
All you need to know to visit Chiang Dao
เชียงดาว
Northern Thailand
773 km from Bangkok
Province of Chiang Mai
Thai pronunciation : Tchiang dao
Northern Thailand
773 km from Bangkok
Province of Chiang Mai
Thai pronunciation : Tchiang dao
- Budget
- 3/5
- Recommended stay
- 2 days
- Sightseeing
- 5/5
Travel guide to visit Chiang Dao
If the city of Chiang Dao, 73 kilometers from Chiang Mai, is uninteresting, its surroundings are full of beautiful places that make it a nice destination for Chiang Mai inhabitants who like to come here for the weekends and holidays. The Doi Chiang Dao mountain, Wat Tham Chiang Dao and its pond with turquoise waters and big fishes and of course caves, perched temples, rice fields, trails, waterfalls, hot springs... Here you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and enjoy the freshness and beauty of the northern mountains of Thailand. The hikers will not fail to go for a trail in the mountains or choose a mountain bike tour. Other zctivities in the area include Bamboo Rafting.Note that every Tuesday morning, just outside the city, on Road 1359, a local market take palce withsome vendors coming from the hilltribes to sell their products (6am - 12pm).
For all the options for getting around Chiang Dao, see our section on getting around in Chiang Dao.
Accommodations in Chiang Dao
There are some guesthouses in town in Chiang Dao. They are the cheapest but also the least charming ones. If you come here it is to enjoy the exceptional landscape and choose a guesthouse with mountain view. There are several accommodations around Wat Tham Chiang Dao, like the famous Chiang Dao Nest 1 and 2, often full especially on weekends and holidays. For a more affordable budget and have more chance to get a room without booking, you have the Chiang Dao Hut with great big bungalows but hard beds and small bungalows with just a mattress and shared bathroom at 400 THB. But you there are many guesthouses in Chiang Dao in the area.Find accommodation in Chiang Dao
My recommendations
People often ask me which accommodation I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations in Chiang Dao.
Chiang Dao Hut
Hotel in Chiang Dao
Ashi Guesthouse Chiangdao
Guesthouse in Chiang Dao
Practical information about Chiang Dao
Sometimes, specially in winter, it can be quite cold in Chiang Dao, so don't forget to take a sweater or even a jacket according to the weather forecast. It is also advisable to be transported to really enjoy here or go through an agency that will take care of you but you will then have a defined program. Customizable but defined. Personally, I prefer to be free to improvise ... I give you the names and phone numbers of a few local ''taxis'' that can take you everywhere : Daeng (087-191-0961), Tod (081 -289-4502), Ton (062-595-9329) otherwise, many guesthouses rent scooters.Transport in Thailand
Search tickets and book online
Type your departure city, your destination and the date of your trip.
Powered by 12Go Asia system
Powered by 12Go system
How to go to Chiang Dao ?
To get to Chiang Dao if you don't have car or motobike, you can take a bus to Thathon (also stopping in Fang) departing every half hour from Chang Pueak bus station in Chiang Mai (from 5:30 to 5:30 pm). The journey takes a good hour and a half.How to get around in Chiang Dao ?
To get around once in Chiang Dao, it is best to have your own car or motobike. Otherwise you can rent a scooter. A lot of guesthouses rent motobikes otherwise here are the telephone numbers of a few taxis that can take you everywhere: Daeng (087-191-0961), Tod (081-289-4502), Ton 062-595-9329).
Must-visits in
Wat Tham Chiang Dao
วัดถ้ำเชียงดาวMy opinion : 5/5
Wat Tham Chiang Dao, cave temple offers a beautiful scenery with a pond and fish and allows to visit a beautiful 360-meter-long lit cave, Wat Tham Phra No. There are others but for which you have to hire a local guide with an oil lamp if you want to visit them.
Wat Tham Pha Plong
วัดถ้ำผาปล่องMy opinion : 3/5
Located just after the Chiang Dao caves, this temple perched in the mountains offers a peaceful setting. It is a recognized meditation center and it is true that the landscape calls for peace of mind. Signs with Buddhist wisdom will accompany you through the ascent to the temple.
Sri Sungwan Waterfall
My opinion : 4/5
This waterfall about twenty kilometers from Chiang Dao is not the most impressive in Thailand but is very pretty just like all its surroundings. You can swim there for a refreshing bath. On the way, there are some interesting stops to make.
Pong Arng Hot Springs
My opinion : 3/5
In a bucolic setting, the basins with naturally warm water welcome you for a very pleasant relaxing bath to end the day. a visit to be coupled with the Sri Sungwan waterfall a bit further on the road. The entrance ticket gives access to both places.Other places to see in Chiang Dao
Wat Phra That Mon Ching
This temple perched on a mountain was my nice little discovery in Chiang Dao area. I love it for its setting, its olden and rock and especially for the magnificent view over the valley. For me, a stop you should not to miss on the way to the Sri Sungwan Waterfall !
How to ask the way in Thai to Chiang Dao ?
I want to go to Chiang Dao / Yak pai thi Tchiang dao.Where is Chiang Dao? / Tchiang dao yu thi nai?
Traveling in Thailand
Transport in Thailand
Type your departure city, your destination and the date of your trip.
Powered by 12Go Asia system
Find accommodation in Thailand
10 Best Activities and Guided Tours to Do in Bangkok
Bangkok is very often your first port of call—or rather, airport of arrival—in Thailand. It is a highly eclectic city packed with unforgettable activities. I have curated a selection of what I consider to be the 10 best things to do in...