Wat Buak Khrok Luang

(Just before km4 south turn 300 m.) This temple has a charming wooden Lanna style viharn built around 1857. It is famous for its 19th century murals, which depict tales of the previous lives of the Buddha in a northern style. Continue down the lane to Ban Suan restaurant and access to H1317 beyond.

Ban Ton Pao

(km8 north turn 500 metres) Several households in this village make "sa" paper from a plant which is related to the mulberry. "Preservation House" (700 metres down the lane that runs north just opposite the school near km8) produces the paper and offers the widest selection of products for sale.

Bo Sang

(km8 north turn) Souvenirs fill the small shops that line both sides of the high street, which at times becomes choked with buses full of Thai tourists. Traditionally the umbrellas are made in the cool spaces beneath the raised houses, with households sometimes specialising in different parts of the process. This is best seen along the lanes off the north end of the high street. The Umbrella Making Centre (corner of H1006 & R1014) or The Sa Paper & Umbrella Handicraft Centre (H1006 kmS) provide convenient one-stop looks at the entire process. From Bo Sang, take RIO14 for a country route to Doi Saket (20km seeTour Route 2).

Wat Phra Pan

(km10 north turn 1 km). Also known as Wat Phra Non Mae Pukha, the temple is set amidst the rice paddy. A large viharn has been built around a long reclining Buddha image. Murals in a recent style cover much of the walls. Many people come to bathe the image during the Songkran festival.

Sankamphaeng

In the Lanna period, Sankamphaeng was famous for its pottery kilns; today modern kilns operate nearby. The small market town is prosperous and there are several handicraft shops. Take H1006 to the hot springs (18km). Bo Festival: (Third weekend of January) - Hundreds of pretty local girls hold umbrellas in a very colourful parade and beauty pageant. The festival is as much for local people as for visitors.

Muang On Cave

(H131 7 km28 west turn 1 km) A NARROW sealed road leads up the side of a hill to a small car park. From there you have to climb up a steep naga stairway for about 100 metres before reaching the entrance to the caves. Make sure the lights have been switched on before descending into some big, deep caverns. A large seated Buddha image amidst stalactites creates an impressive effect.

The Hot Springs

(km29 west turn 3km) The Sankamphaeng Hot Springs (10 Bt. entrance) and the Roong Arun Hot Springs Resort (20 Bt. entrance) have geysers, mineral baths and gardens that make a pleasant setting for relaxation. Both offer accommodation, but the privately run Roong Arun Hot Springs has more the feeling of a resort. The road past the hot springs leads to Ban Mae Pong, from where you may go to Doi Saket. Numerous narrow lanes make the route confusing, however. Return via H1317 and take RI147 east to visit Wat Pa Tung.

Wat Pa Tung

(12km from Sankamphaeng. When RI 147 turns sharply right at low hills, go straight on a lane that leads due east.) Located in the midst of paddy dotted with sugar palms, this temple contains a large, modern teak kuti. The kuti was built for Luang Phu La Chaiya Janto, who died in 1993 at the age of 96. His body is kept in a glass case. The temple holds three festivals annually. Luang Phu La's death (16 March), paying respects to the chedi (8th day of the waxing moon in the seventh lunar month around mid-]une) a nd on his birthday (20-22 September). -The second festival features rocket and lang drum contests, hut the third festival is the biggest and holds a competition for traditional and northern classical dancing.

Mae Takhai National Park and the Mae Tha Valley

(H1006. East turn onto RI229) The road goes over a low pass before dropping down to the less developed upper Mae Tha Valley. The new and undeveloped park is 1 km north of the junction. RI230 offers a picturesque route south along the Mae Tha Valley to H11 (35km).

Where to Eat & Stay (Tour Route 3)

Ban Suan Restaurant 5113 Sankamphaeng Rd. km4 south turn 400m. Hrs. 113O-2200. Well-known for northern Thai Lovely setting of traditional Thai buildings in a grove of rain trees. Guests may use the pool. Tel: 242116, 247199

Bua Restaurant , 1 65 Mu 3, km1 1 north turn 400m Hrs. 1100-2300. Spacious modern sala in park of upmarket housing development. Modern. stylish pool for use by guests. Tel: 331997 AE M V

Sankamphaeng Resort & Animal Haven H1006 km8 Restaurant hrs. 0800-1700 Entry fee to gardens 2O Bt. Pleasant country resort with wood cabins in landscaped gardens. Paddle boats available for small lake. A small wild-life refuge has a bear and some gibbons. Tel: & Fax: 880587-8

Roong Arun Hot Springs Resort H131 7 km29 west turn 3.5km Restaurant hrs. O800-203O. Small bungalows with individual mineral baths. Mineral baths, jacuzzi and traditional massage available to non residents. Tel: 248475 Fax: 248491 (Map 6& 10. Half- One Day. English signs give directions from Koh KIang Rd. Round trip 10km City Bus route 2 terminates near the site.)

©ChiangMai Mall 2001
This page was last modified on