Although only the third highest mountain in Thailand, the limestone peaks of Doi Chiang Dao are the most striking formation in the north. Extensive caves lie at the foot of the east side. The uplands north and west of the mountain are popular trekking areas.

At km..40, there is a folk museum with wooden buildings traditional of the north.

Mae Ngat Dam & Sri Lanna National Park

(H107 km.41, east turn 12km.) The flat valley of the River Ping in the Mae Ngat Dam area is a picturesque mix of villages, temples and rice fields. At the north end of the L-shaped dam there are some local restaurants.

Boats will take you for a pleasant thirty minute journey along the lake through the Sri Lanna National Park to some rafts. The Sri Lanna National Park HQ is located just to the north of the dam. A sealed road from south of the dam to the east leads to H1001 (Chiang Mai-Phrao).

Wat Tung Luang

This temple (at km..42) is brightly decorated in honour of Khru Ba Thammachai, who died in 1988 at the age of 73.

The ubosot is lined with wood and the older viharn is no less ornate (sums given by various donors are clearly written on the part they donated to the temple). The viharn itself contains a very life like wax effigy of the monk. The final, macabre touch is a view of the Venerable's body through a mirror above a glass-topped coffin to the right.

Mae Taeng Valley Elephant Camps

(km..43 east turn 10km..) A sealed road goes east for ten kilometres to some elephant camps. These camps are usually booked through Chiang Mai agents. Beyond the camps, the road becomes a rough track (4WD) that follows the river in a steep valley to Ban Sop Kai and beyond.

Elephant Nature Park & Safari (km..10) includes one-hour show (show starts 10am only) one-hour elephant ride, buffet lunch, ox-cart ride and rafting trip on River Mae Taeng. Bookings can be made through Gem Travel Tel: 272855 & 818744

Mae Taman Rafting (km..10) Elephant ride, ox-cart ride and rafting (450 Bt per person) Elephant Show 9:30 only Tel: 297O6O

Mae Taeng Tour (18km.. 4WD) booking through agents only. A remote elephant camp in spectacular location

Tang Dao Elephant Training Centre

(Hl07 km.56) 5Shows 0900 & 1000.. One-hour elephant ride 600Bt per elephant. Rafting 45 min. 500 Bt.for two persons. Tel: 298553.

This was the first elephant camp to be set up in the region. The camp is in a pretty location under trees on the river. A longer 90 minute elephant ride includes a trip to a set up 'Lisu village'.

Chiang Dao

(km..72) Views of Doi Luang Chiang Dao are continuous after the road leaves the gorge that separates Chiang Dao from Chiang Mai. The valley contains ancient settlements and was reputed to be a place to which 'bewitched' people were banished over a century ago.

The small wooden market town of Chiang Dao serves Lisu, Hmong, Akha and Palaung villagers in the mountains around. Go east past Wat Indra and across the river to get to see lowland villages. Rough dirt roads (4WD) lead to hill tribe villages on the low plateau beyond.

Chiang Dao Caves and Wat Pa Plong

(km..72 west turn 5km.. & 7km..) The caves extend a long way into the mountain. The passages are generally easy, but in one or two points you must crouch. You will need a guide with a lantern to explore deeply into the caves. The sealed road past the caves leads to Wat Pa Plong, an active meditation centre.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao mountain has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1978. A limestone outpost of the upper Tennasserim range, the mountain (2240 m.) offers a unique habitat for different species of flowering plants. There are interesting species of birds, but other forms of wildlife are hard to see due to years of hunting.

The line of peaks that forms the massif is shaped like a U, with the open end facing west. The enclosed high valley is being left to recover after decades of opium cultivation by hill tribes. The unusual ecosystem around the summit is particularly sensitive. Entry to the sanctuary is restricted and permission must be obtained from the sanctuary headquarters near Wat Pa Bong.

Normal access is by a dirt road that goes to the Hmong village of Pakkia. (West turn 500 m. past km..67 4WD). Right turn at checkpoint on ridge line to forestry station. Take warm gear, food, and water for summit.)

Where to Eat and Stay in the Chiang Dao Area

(Listed south to north) Chiang Dao has a cheap local hotel with a restaurant on the ground floor serving good local food Several other small restaurants are found on the high street. Street stalls offer warm fare to cold riders till quite late at night.

Khrua Khun Ya Restaurant Bung Nam Sap Restaurant (H107 km..50 hrs.: 1000-2200) Fine restaurant on a floating pontoon at a small private lake. Huts available

Royal Ping Garden & Resort 11O/2-14 Mu 3. Ban Pao. Mae Taeng. CM 5O150. H107 km..52 Restaurant hrs.. 0600-2200 Luxury housing development on the banks of the River Ping. Tel: 471199, 471666-8 Fax: 471493

Chiang Dao Inn Hotel 20 Mu 6. Chiang Dao. C M 5017O HIO7 km..72 Res. hrs.. 073O-2200 Newer two floor hotel at the northern end of the town's high street Tel: 455132.

Khrua Chiang Dao km..72 opp Chiang Dao Inn Hotel hrs.: 0600-2000. Popular restaurant in Chiang Dao town.

Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows
Bungalows 114/2 Mu 5. Chiang Dao. C M 50170 On road to Wat Pa Plong north of the Chiang Dao Caves. Simple cabins in spectacular area. Suitable for hikers, mountain bikers and those who want to stay in an inexpensive and pleasant out-of-the-way spot Tel: O1-9618387

Rim Doy Resort 46 Mu 4. Tambon Muang Ngai. Chiang Dao. C M 5O170 RI178 km. 1 Restaurant hrs. 0600-0200 Reasonable rooms & late night coffee shop. Good access to the area north of Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao Hills Resort 28 Mu 6. Tambon Ping Khong. Chiang Dao. CM 5017O H107 km..100 Restaurant hrs.. 0700-2200 Comfortable cabins in woods around a small lake. A pretty spot! Tel: 232434 Fax 251372

Mae Thorani

Mae Thorani - the goddess of the earth - is often shown wringing the cool waters of detachment out of her hair. The water drowns the forces of temptation sent by Mara to distract the Buddha as he meditated under the bo tree.

Fand and Thaton

(Chiang Mai-Thaton 166 km.) HIO7 continues from Fan Chiang Dao through forested upland country before dropping down into the long rural valley to Fang and Thaton. From Thaton travellers go to Doi Mae Salong by road or to Chiang Rai by boat along the Kok River. The large mountain to the north-west of Fang is the second highest mountain in Thailand - Doi Pahom Pok - (2285 m.).

Naresuan Monument

Naresuan Monument (km.75 west turn on RI178 -5km..) A chedi in a small park marks the spot where King Naresuan died of sickness in 1605 in an expedition defending the kingdom against a Burmese invasion.

Phrao

(km..83 east turn on RI150 - 31 km.) The road goes along a pretty route that winds through the low jagged range that separates the Vale of Phrao from Chiang Dao. Tap Tao Caves (km.118 west turn -3 km.) Two Salak LARGE cave contain many Buddha 1370 images. The (Yao) northern cave penetrates the mountains deeply in an upward direction. A path with steps and ladders goes into the cave for over a kilometre Humidity and harmless beasties such as wood-lice, cave pythons, and bats test the will of visitors who want to see the primitive Buddha images formed from stalagmites.

Doi Ang Khang

(km.138 west turn on RI249 - 26 km.) The road climbs to the summit ridge very steeply (be careful when descending), continuing to an agricultural station specialising in temperate fruits and flowers and the Nature Resort. Temperatures get very low at night in the upland valley during the cold season. A road along the ridge to the north goes to a Palaung village and army frontier fort, which you can visit. The route then drops sharply down into the Fang valley.

Fang National Park

(km.149 west turn - 10km.) Hot springs dot the landscaped garden, but the pipes taking off hot water to the geothermal power station nearby have spoiled the ambience of the site. A former periodic geyser no longer erupts, but there is a steam room and warm pool.

Fang

(km.150) King Mangrai made his capital here in 1268 before he captured Haripunchai (Lamphun) in 1281. Today the border location gives the town a slightly wild feeling. The town serves as a market for nearby hill tribes as well as for unofficial visitors from the Shan State.

Thaton

(km.166) The Kok River flows out from the Shan States in Burma into the wide Fang Valley at Thaton. It is the start for rafting-trekking trips down the river to Chiang Rai and the trip by road to Doi Mae Salong. Wat Thaton overlooks the town and offers fine views from the hills above the main buildings. The temple contains some unusual images and structures, and there are plans to build a 45 metre high chedi. The temple offers meditation courses and short tours.

Where to Eat and Stay in Fang and Thaton

Fang offers limited accommodation. but there are several good local restaurants and noodle shops along the main street For an overnight stay however, Thaton has more ambience.

Angkhang Nature Resort 111 Mu 5. Ban Khum. Tambon Mae Ngon. Fang. C M 50320 Restaurant hrs. 0700-1400, 1800-2100 Luxurious chalet hotel in the Ang Khang highlands managed by the Amari Group Tel: 453515-19 Fax 453520.

Ban Pak Dok Moi Doi Ang Khang Agricultural Station. Chaiprakan. C M 50320 Restaurant hrs. 0700-2300 Basic accommodation in A-frame huts The high valley is one of the coldest places in Thailand! Tel: 01.51015O2.

Chok Thani 425 Chotana Rd , C M 50110 Restaurant hrs. 0800-O200. Functional four floor hotel on Fang's main street Tel: 451252/353.

Khum Phra Nang Restaurant 185 Mu 1. Ban Mae Mao. Tambon San Sai. F ang (West turn just on bend before H107 becomes the main Fang town). hrs.: 1000-2400.

Mae Kok River Lodge R 121 Mu 4. Thaton. Mae Ai, C M 50280 Restaurant hrs. 0700-2400 Large wooden Thai-style building with deck overlooking river The lodge offers 'Soft adventure' tours which emphasise eco-tourism (75O-1000Btlday 1-4days Mountain bike and 4WD also available) Tel: 459328 Fax 459329.

Mae Kok River villa 84 Mu3 Thaton CM 50280 Family chalets in quiet setting by the river Under management of Mae Kok River Lodge. the villas are associated with an Alternative Tourism Centre project that will feature a 'living museum' and hold courses in cooking. massage and general health. Tel: 459355-6.

Thaton Chalet 19211 Mu 14. Thaton. Mae Ai. C M 5O280 Restaurant hrs. 0600-2300. Medium rise hotel on the river.

Thaton River View Hotel 302 Thaton. Mae Ai. C M 5028O Restaurant hrs. 0800-2200 Low open reception and pleasant cabins along the river bank Thai gourmet sign at the restaurant Tel: 459289 Fax 459288.

UK (UengKhum) Hotel 227 TapaeSoi3. Fang. C M 5O11O Small bungalow hotel off Fang's , main street Tel: 451268.

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