Chiang Dao

城市概覽

Chiang Dao lies above the Mae Nam Ping Gorge on the green slopes of Doi ("mount") Chiang Dao. The name means "city of stars", and derives from its earlier name piang dao, or "(at the) level of the stars". True to the name, limestone peaks reaching a height of 2,186 m (7,174 ft) make Chiang Dao an impressive area. The village is a quiet little picturesque area, with a quaint northern Thailand feel.

如何抵達

By car From Chiang Mai, Hwy 107 runs 72 km north to Chiang Dao and then on to Fang and Thaton. The nearest major airport and railway station are in Chiang Mai. A metered, air conditioned taxi will cost about 1,000-1,200 baht one-way.

By bus Every half hour from 06:00-18:00, buses and songthaews run south to Chiang Mai (40 baht) and north to Fang (40 baht). They can be flagged down anywhere alongside the highway. Six buses per day also run from Chiang Mai to Thaton via Chiang Dao. 90 minutes, 40 baht. You can ask the driver to stop anywhere along the side of the road, which is often better than getting off at the Chiang Dao bus stop, where songthaew drivers charge 100 baht or more to take you to a resort.

當地交通

By motorbike Most guesthouses can hire out motorcycles for around 200-300 baht/day. This will work out cheaper than taxis.

By bicycle Some places, such as Mon and Kurt's Restaurant and Guesthouse, rent reliable bicycles and mountain bikes (~100 baht per day). These can be a great way to explore the surrounding sight at slow pace.

By taxi The town's few taxis (often in the form of yellow songthaews) fix their prices high: a ride will always cost at least 150 baht. Taxis usually loiter near the 7-Eleven. Negotiate with the drivers directly: while guesthouses can arrange cabs, they will add a substantial mark up. The area is not covered by Grab. If you're lucky, a motorcycle shuttles you for 50 baht.

必看景點

1 Chiang Dao Cave (ถ้ำเชียงดาว, Tham Chiang Dao) (5 km from town centre, no public transport). The cave is a part of Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary. The best-known attraction here, offering 12 km of stalactite-laden caves — although only five of the caverns are accessible to the public. Chambers are large and there are sinter formations, however, no spectacular colours - rather everything looks like covered by a sheath of dirt. You can tour the lighted part of the cave (350 m) alone (40 baht). Somewhere along the lighted path, guides with lanterns hang around to offer an excursion to unlit parts of the cave. A tour costs 200 baht per group of up to 5 persons. It involves crawling through narrows, some steep steps and brings you to real bats and sinter formations such as an elephant and an upside-down lotus flower. Bringing your own torch is recommended. 40 baht. 2 Pha Daeng National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติผาแดง, formerly Chiang Dao National Park). Over 1,000 sq km of stunning craggy mountain park begins adjacent to the town. The altitude makes it cooler and drier than the plains and it can get downright cold in the winter. The semitropical local flora includes extensive bamboo forests. The many mountain streams and waterfalls make the park good for trekking. In addition to the mountain views there are many Lisu and Karen hilltribe villages scattered throughout the park. 3 Giant Trees Alley. A instagram hotspot which has become popular lately. Basically an alley with giant trees, great for interesting pictures. (updated Dec 2025) 4 Wat Pa Bunnak. A lone temple up northeast. Great for a half-day hike with rice fields and lots of scenery. (updated Dec 2025)

體驗活動

1 Doi Luang Chiang Dao (ดอยหลวงเชียงดาว), ☏ +66 2 5612947. This 2,225 m conical limestone mountain in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is Thailand's third-highest peak (after Doi Inthanon and Doi Pha Hom Pok). Narrow plains on top of the mountain provide spectacular views that include a sea of fog on the Chiang Dao side, Doi Sam Phi Nong, the Chiang Dao mountain range, and the far end of Doi Inthanon. The peak is cool and windy. It is full of rare highland flowers, birds, and butterflies. Visiting Doi Chiang Dao needs an approval letter from the Director of Wildlife Reserve Division, Royal Forest Department. It must arranged at least 2 weeks before travelling.Getting there: The peak is accessible on foot. At Chiang Dao cave, guides, porters, and chartered transfers to the starting point of the trail are available. Rented local trucks cost around 900 baht and a porter is 300 baht per person. There are no tourist facilities on Chiang Dao Mountain. Visitors must bring their own sleeping bags, food, and water.If you are a very fit trekker you might be able to climb up and down in one day if you start very early — it's just 1,000 elevation difference. There is a small village with the lodging near the start of the northern trail, easily accessible on a motorbike via paved road. If you have Osmand, use the OSM Public Tracks overly map and you will find many possible trails previously do by other people and not in any map. Or use Wikiloc, etc. to find valid GPS trails.Descending the mountain is possible on the trail near Ban Tham, which is located near Chiang Dao cave. The trail is rather steep; nevertheless, it could shorten the walking distance upon descending. It is quite difficult to climb up. Birdwatching. The region is one of Thailand's top spots for ornithologists. Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows caters to bird watchers and are very helpful with bird watching information. 2 Chiangdao Hot Spring. Bathe in two very nice Japanese gardens, with a restaurant, bamboo

購物

Every Tuesday morning the town has a big market with many hill tribe people coming down to trade.

美食

1 Khumpanna Cafe (4 km northeast of the center in the rice fields). While the inflated prices clearly indicate that this place is catering for tourists, the views of the rice fields, mountains and the atmosphere is rewarding. Great during late afternoon. Even though there won't be a proper sunset due to the mounting blocking the sun. (updated Dec 2025) Chiang Dao Nest (Western food) and Chiang Dao Nest 2 (Thai food) (On Hwy 107 at km72, in Chiang Dao, just after the Chiang Dao Inn Hotel, turn left towards Chiang Dao Cave and Malee's Resort). Delicious, fresh, local ingredients, high quality. Worth a stop even if you're not staying at the nest. Beautiful setting in the mountains to boot. Haniba Coffee (Opposite PTT gas station). Nice coffee shop. Cheesecake! Malee's Nature Resort (close to Chiang Dao Cave), ☏ +66 81 9618387. Reasonably priced Thai and Western food. A great breakfast with fresh homemade bread and jams. Cosy garden with pool and great views. Also offers sturdy, well-maintained bungalows with private bathrooms. Cheapest rooms (250 baht) have shared bathroom and a fan. Family and honeymoon suites are also available. Free Wi-Fi. Detailed maps of the area on display and there is a bird sightings log. Accommodation: 250-2,000 baht. Rim Nam (riverside restaurant). Before the cave, just over a stream, is a riverside Thai restaurant which has thatched roo