The road to Hang Dong has numerous outlets mostly specialising in woodcarving. Take this route if you want to look at two handicrafts one traditional, and the other highly commercialized and a fine 19th century temple showing the spiritual origins of modern wood- carving. Return to Chiang Mai by following the banks of the River Ping. You may visit Wiang Kum Kam on the return leg.

Ban Muang Kung

1km jct.R1269

Many households in this village specialize in making traditional earthenware jugs for serving water.

Villagers turn pots on simple hand-driven wheels with an ease that tells of years of practice. Go through the village and left to R1269. Turn right (west) to reach the canal bridge and Wat Inthrawat.

Wat Inthrawat

37km S 200m

Built around 1858, the temple served as a resting place for the Phra Boromathat Chom Thong relic when it was brought from Chom Thong to Chiang Mai.

This temple is a wonderful example of Lanna wooden architecture of the last century. Note the decoration in the viharn and the detail in the cross-shaped hall in the temple courtyard. After leaving Wat lnthrawat, go to Hang Dong and then to Ban Tawai. If you go via small lanes you may pass Wat Hang Dong. The viharn was probably built around the same time as that of Wat Ton Khwen. However, the wooden building is in a sad state .

Ob Khan National Park

66km W 12km

The River Khan flows through a small gorge and into a large natural pool, which becomes very popular at weekends. Follow the path take water and a picnic if you have children, past the gorge and along the rocky river bed to a better, less visited pool below Ob Hai about 450 metres upstream. Accommodation and camping are available.

Ban Tawai

15km E 3km

This village is the centre of Thailand's woodcarving industry. Woodcarving outlets are very numerous on the road near Hang Dong. Chiang Mai Golden Export (153, Mu Ban Wen. Tel: 441437 Hrs. 0800-1 700) a few hundred metres from the Hang Dong junction on the north side, has a small collection of old cars in addition to woodcarvings.

To enter Ban Tawai itself, turn right at Rattanapon Art (3km from the T junction with H108). Outlets selling carvings extend for over a kilometre. After approximately 700 metres a small turn to the east leads to Wat Tawai. The east-facing entrance to the temple consists of woodcarvings contributed by different local craftsmen.

The main road through the village continues until it reaches the river after 3km. The direct road from Ban Tawai to Pa Dua is shorter.

Ban Pa Dua

7km from Ban Tawai

Wealthy looking villages amidst longan orchards surround this small crossroads market. Cross the bridge over the Ping to visit the market and for the easy road to Saraphi.

To return to Chiang Mai, follow the road along the west bank of the Ping north. You may visit Wiang Kum Kam by crossing on the first bridge and then by following the east bank north until you reach the McKean Institute at km4.

Where to Eat and Stay

Local style restaurants may be found all along the route Several housing estates and other developments along H108 contain upmarket restaurants.

Ban Wang Tan Restaurant H108 Chiang Mai-Hang Dung Rd just before km 9 east turn; go straight and bear left at the T junction. enter a guarded gate after 1 2 km Hrs: 1100-2200. Large well-known restaurant overlooks a lake and spacious park in a housing project Tel: 27083O Terrace

The Rain forest 181 Soi Khrui Bungasingh next to World Club Land km 10. Hang Dong Rd (HI08) C M 50230 Stylish large restaurant by pond Tel: 44I9O8e 432319.

©ChiangMai Mall 2001
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