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ThailandOverview of the sights of Chiang Mai province and how to visit them
Chiang Mai province is of great interest to tourism enthusiasts and is the most visited in the north of Thailand. Of course, you can limit your trip to the north of Thailand to getting acquainted only with the city of Chiang Mai and its immediate surroundings, and go to Chiang Rai and "Golden Triangle" to the confluence of the three borders, and you won't regret it at all. But you may regret that you did not get acquainted with other places and sights of the province.
If you want to explore Chiang Mai province in detail, get acquainted with the tribes and visit natural attractions, then the best option for this would be a tour of the province with a licensed guide or, which is a little more complicated, but cheaper - rent a transport and explore the province yourself.
As for inexpensive group one-day excursions from Chiang Mai to the province, then, for the most part, they are entertainment programs for tourists, in which, instead of the real life of northern Thailand, they offer a "surrogate". The tribal villages that you will visit during such an excursion are attractions that look like a conveyor belt for luring money out of tourists. It gives the impression of the artificiality of life in these villages, and the population looks like actors.
Independent guides with a license often offer their services together with transport, i.e. you will get both a guide and transport in one bottle, and it will not cost so much (from 2000 baht per day). It is best to look for guides in advance via the Internet (on forums) or on the recommendations of other tourists so as not to be disappointed in the quality. If you settle everything in advance, then such a guide can meet you at the airport or at the train station and spend a few days with you, driving around the province and making stops in different cities. You can find a guide on the spot, but time will be lost.
Independent travel by rented transport is also a great option. You can rent a car (1000 bta) or a motorcycle (from 250 baht) for a few days and travel all over the province. Another option is local transport. The major cities of the province are connected by a network of buses. At the same time, you can stay in large settlements for a few days, from where you can make trips to villages and places of interest.
But it is worth warning that an independent visit to villages, acquaintance with natural attractions and trekking is not an easy and dangerous activity. We would highly recommend not doing this on your own unless you are an experienced traveler. Most of these attractions are not so easy to find, and access to them along mountain trails and dense jungles can be dangerous. It is better to use the help of guides or local guides.
And one more thing: among the offered excursions there are options with overnight stays in villages in the homes of local residents. Romance is romance, but the reality is that in real villages everything is real, including dirt and unsanitary conditions (by our standards). You should be prepared for the lack of minimal amenities, including showers and toilets, unpleasant odors from local residents, dirty dishes and poverty. You will be pestered with offers to buy something, for which the whole village will come running. If you still want to experience such pleasure, then it is better to choose an overnight stay in a separate house prepared specifically for tourists. The conditions there are better and the locals don't go there without an invitation.
Now a little bit about access to the villages for tourists. Local residents are well aware of the commercial opportunities of their settlements and successfully use it. Even in the most remote and hard-to-reach villages, access is paid. The price in different villages varies and starts from 150 baht for remote or little popular villages, up to 500 baht for the most "fashionable" and "long-necked" Karen villages close to Chiang Mai.
And now in detail about the sights of Chiang Mai province and what is worth visiting, indicating the opening hours, the cost of visiting and how to get there yourself:
Sightseeing map of Chiang Mai Province
Ethnic Tribal Villages in Chiang Mai
The villages of the northern tribes in Chiang Mai are perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in northern Thailand and one of the "business cards" of the region, one might say a local tourist brand. And that's why most travelers go to the north in the hope of seeing with their own eyes and taking photos of the tribes of long-necked Karen or Khmonogs dressed in colorful clothes, who are so attracted here by official advertising guides. And in principle, all these hopes will certainly come true, because it's really easy to see them. In total, nine small nationalities live in Chiang Mai Province: Karen, Hmong, Yao, Lahu, Lisu, Akha, Lua, Khamu and Tin. The most famous of them are long–necked Karen, as well as Hmong, who dress up in clothes and headdresses with embroidery. Learn more about ethnic tribal villages in Chiang Mai here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: during daytime.
Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to tribal villages is paid, 300-500 baht (approximately 9-15 USD, see Thailand's currency and exchange rate). Ready–made tour in a group from Chiang Mai with transport - from 600 baht (approximately 18 USD), more complex trekking tours - from 2000 baht (approximately 60.01 USD).
🚶 How to get there: The easiest way to visit villages is with excursions, which are sold in almost every travel agency in the old town. There are simple mini-bus tours from 600 baht with a visit to paid villages, which in fact are just markets with costumed women. But there are also more serious trekking tours to visit more natural and distant villages, and if you have the time and energy to make a long journey, we recommend them. If you want to visit villages on your own by rented transport, it is most convenient to search for the nearest ones on Google maps for queries like "Karen Village", "Hmong Village", "Tribal Village", "Ethnic Village". Just keep in mind that some of the villages, like traveling circuses, are changing positions, and we, for example, came to those from which only abandoned stalls remained. So also pay attention to the reviews and their date.
Elephant nurseries in Chiang Mai
It is believed that Chiang Mai is one of the best places in Thailand where you can get to know elephants, which are considered sacred animals in Thailand. There are about a dozen elephant nurseries in Chiang Mai Province, which, unlike similar places in popular resorts, such as Phuket, Pattaya or Koh Samui, position themselves as non-tourist. Many of them really take care of elephants, train them, and do not even allow tourists to ride them as entertainment. You can come to such a farm in order to look after them yourself, which in its simplest form includes feeding and bathing, and in more complex versions you have to clean up after them, and also you will be taught to communicate with them and give simple commands. Learn more about elephant nurseries in Chiang Mai here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: during daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: prices are different everywhere and vary greatly depending on the program. For a reference point, just to go to the elephant nursery for photographing and feeding – 300 baht (approximately 9 USD). Half–day tour with transport from Chiang Mai - from 1600 baht (approximately 48.01 USD), for a full day from 2000 baht (approximately 60.01 USD). Volunteering and training are possible for free, for this you need to contact nurseries and negotiate.
🚶 How to get there: There are a lot of nurseries in Chiang Mai, but not in the city itself, they are scattered around the province in different places. You can see nurseries on the Google map, you will also see reviews about them there. If you rent a transport, you can come to the selected nursery yourself and pay the entrance fee on the spot. In the old town of Chiang Mai, each travel agency sells ready-made day trips, and you can also book tours directly on the websites of some nurseries with delivery from the hotel.
Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep)
This temple is not only one of the most revered in the north of Thailand, but also one of the most famous in the whole country. It is also one of the oldest temples, built in 1383 on the territory of the kingdom of Lanna. Despite the remoteness of this attraction from the city, the temple is definitely worth a visit, since it is one of the main attractions and the visiting rink of the city and the entire province. You can visit it by buying an excursion at one of the city's travel agencies (about 1000 baht) or arrange a trip yourself, which will be much cheaper and more interesting. Read more about the Doi Suthep temple and photos of the temple here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: daily from 06:00 to 20:00.
Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to the temple is 30 baht (3 USD, money of Thailand, exchange rate), cable car lift additional 30 baht optional.
🚶 How to get there: located about 15 kilometers from the city on the mountain of the same name (Doi Suthep Temple on the map). To get here from Chiang Mai, you can take a taxi, tuk-tuk, rented transport or take a Songthaew minibus. Minibuses costing 100 baht per person depart from the stop at the north gate of Pratu Chang Phuak (see the position of the north gate on the map).
Chiang Dao
This is a small town located in the northeast, 72 kilometers from Chiang Mai. This is an ideal place to start trekking excursions to the top of Doi Luang Chang Dao Mountain and to non-tourist tribal villages, as well as excursion routes along the rivers of the province begin from here. At the base of the mountain are the famous Chiang Dao caves, accessible to tourists, near the city there is an elephant nursery. There are also free Chiang Dao hot springs here. There is a hostel, guest houses and hotels in the city, and in the vicinity you can stay at recreation centers and campsites. Read more about Chiang Dao City here....
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Chiang Dao is located in the north of the province, 72 kilometers from the provincial capital (Chiang Dao hot springs on the map). You can get here by bus from Chang Phuak bus station from Chiang Mai (not to be confused with the main station, they are located in different places), from Fung and Taton, as well as with excuseries or by rented transport. For more information on how to get there, follow the link with a full description.
Thaton or Thaton (Thaton)
The city of Taton is located almost on the border of two provinces and in the middle of the way between the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, just four kilometers from the border with Myanmar (Taton on the map of Chiang Mai province). This is more of a village than a city, but here, in the vicinity, there are quite a lot of guest houses and hotels where you can spend a few carefree days. There are also several exotic settlements in the vicinity. River cruises by boat or raft depart from here towards Chiang Rai. Also, this town is a transfer point if you get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by bus on the northern route. Read more about Taton here....
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Taton is located on the north road No.107 along the border with Myanmar between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (Taton on the map). It is 180 kilometers from Chiang Mai and about 100 kilometers from Chiang Rai. There are minibuses and small buses from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai (100 baht) and Phang (50 baht). Buses run from about 5 am to 5 pm every hour. However, if you have the opportunity to rent a transport, then we recommend that you get here this way. Read more at the link with the full description.
Chang Dao Cave Complex (Tham Chiang Dao)
About 100 caves of the Tham Chiang Dao cave complex stretch 12 kilometers deep into the Chang Dao Mountain (Doi Chiang Dao), and five of them are open to tourists. This is, in fact, the most important (but not the only) attraction of Chiang Dao, which attracts tourists here. Moreover, this is not only a natural landmark, they also have great religious significance for the locals. There are countless Buddha statues in almost all the passages of the caves, and some caves are whole cave temples. From the main cave, many more caves depart in different directions, access to which is prohibited without a guide for security reasons. There are many more interesting things hidden in them, such as streams and a lake with catfish, hot springs. You can hire a guide for a walk through the closed caves right here in the cave, from 200 baht. Learn more about Chiang Dao caves here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located 6 kilometers from the center of Chiang Dao and 75 kilometers from the city of Chiang Mai (Chiang Dao hot springs on the map). Songthaew minibuses go here from the center from the main street where the bus station is located, the cost is 200 baht, but irregularly, so it's better to count on renting a transport or taxi right away.
Wat Tham Chiang Dao Temple
This temple is inextricably linked with the Ching Dao Cave cave complex. It is on the territory of this temple that the entrance to these caves is located, and the caves themselves seem to be a continuation of the temple, since they contain its underground part with cave shrines and Buddha statues. Therefore, you will not visit the caves in any way, bypassing Wat Tham Chiang Dao, but there is also no point in visiting the temple without caves. The territory of the temple is quite large and is located at the foot of the mountain among green forests. It cannot be said that it stands out for its splendor and beauty, but it is interesting and mysterious in its own way, and it is definitely worth walking around it for half an hour. There is a lake, several beautiful chedis, and a lot of religious sculptures, some of which look very old and mysterious. Read more about Wat Tham Chiang Dao Temple here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located 6 kilometers from the center of Chiang Dao and 75 kilometers from the city of Chiang Mai (temple on the map). Songthaew minibuses go here from the center from the main street where the bus station is located, the cost is 200 baht, but irregularly, so it's better to count on renting a transport or taxi right away.
Chiang Dao Hot Springs
These sources are almost unknown among tourists who visit Chiang Mai Province, mostly there are locals. But this is a very cool and unique place in its own way. The fact is that these springs are completely "wild", i.e. not ennobled with changing booths, toilets, but local residents have long since equipped them for taking hot baths in the open air, installing a system of pipes through which water comes from the bowels of Chiang Dao Mountain and fills large concrete pipes that act as bathing. And it is the fact that they are natural and authentic that we especially like about these hot springs. We visited these springs for the first time back in 2012, and so far in 2025 practically nothing has changed here, the place has not become commercial and tourist. They are concrete barrels in the ground, which are filled with hot water through a pipe system. Water flows from one barrel to another, and therefore the temperature in them is different: those that are closer in the river are cooler. Learn more about Chiang Dao hot springs here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located 6 kilometers from the center of Chiang Dao and 75 kilometers from the city of Chiang Mai (Chiang Dao hot springs on the map). No public transport goes here, there are no excursions, so you will have to get there by rented transport or taxi. In Chiang Dao itself, you can rent a motorbike (from 300 baht) or a bicycle, and use it to get to the springs.
Doi Chang Dao Mountain (Doi Luang Chiang Dao)
It is the third highest mountain in Thailand, its height is 2195 meters. The mountain is part of the Doi Chiang Dao National Park, and climbing it is the most popular hiking trail from Chiang Dao. Which is good, it does not require special climbing training and equipment, it's just a trekking or hiking route. Ie, you don't have to climb the rocks, you just need a good physical shape to withstand a long hike. They climb the mountain in order to get acquainted with the local rich flora and fauna along the way, admire and capture an incredibly breathtaking view from the top, and meet the sunset. Read more about Chiang Dao Mountain here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: The ascent is possible only from November to February on dates previously agreed with the reserve administration.
Entrance fee / ticket price: access to the Chiang Dao Mountain Reserve is 200 baht for foreigners (approximately 6 USD).
🚶 How to get there: located on the territory of the reserve near the city of Chiang Dao in the north of Chiang Mai province (Chiang Dao peak on the map). The easiest way is to buy a ready-made tour in Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai, which includes a guide and all the necessary equipment. Depending on the place of purchase, the number of people in the group and the level of comfort, it will cost from 2000 baht. It is better to book in advance, since it is necessary to obtain permission to visit the park 2-3 weeks before the start.
Temple of Mae Ead (Wat Mae Ead)
This is one of the most unusual temples in Chiang Mai province, which we happened to see there. Despite its "provinciality", this temple can surprise even seasoned travelers in Thailand. There are several huge sculptures of Buddha, monks and mythical religious creatures installed here, which are amazing in their scale, because you don't expect to see this at all far from large cities and in a relatively sparsely populated area in a province in the far north of the country. But the most important thing here is a series of sculptures depicting the torments of hell or purgatory. They amaze and shock with their cruelty and frankness. Read more about Mae Eid Temple here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the temple is located in the center of Chiang Dao, you can get from anywhere in the city on foot (temple on the map).
Temple of light and dark cave Tham Tap Tao (Wat Tham Tap Tao)
This is another of the unusual and amazing temples of Chiang Mai province, definitely worth a visit. It is almost unknown among mass tourists and travelers, is far from Chiang Mai and is rarely visited by foreigners, which only makes it more attractive and mysterious. This is an ancient temple, and there is a version that it was built by order of King Ekatotsarot in the XVI century, when he gathered an army for a military campaign in Burma in 1592, and used the cave as a temporary residence. The most interesting thing about Tham Tap Tao is the two caves. The light cave is really bright, because light penetrates into it from above from the ceiling through a large hole. The other cave is dark, deaf and very deep – more than one and a half kilometers. They contain statues and shrines, including a very old large statue of a reclining Buddha. Read more about the temple of the light and dark cave Tham Tap Tao here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: during daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located in the north of the province, 120 kilometers from Chiang Mai on the way to Taton (Tham Tap Tao on the map). This road leads from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai along the border with Burma, and it is best to get here by rented transport. You can also get here by bus from Chiang Mai, Chiang Tao, Taton or Fang, read more at the link with a full description.
Thaton Temple (Wat Tha Ton or Phra Aram Luang)
This is another little-known "tourist diamond" of the north of Thailand. In general, its original name is Phra Aram Luang, but the people have fixed a simpler Taton by the name of the town next to which it is located. This unexpectedly large and beautiful temple and monastery is located far from popular tourist destinations and major cities far in the north of the province, just three kilometers from the border with Myanmar. In such a sparsely populated and remote place, you absolutely do not expect to see such a large-scale place, and this only makes it more intriguing. It is located on the mountain and consists of several platforms on nine levels. All levels are connected by an asphalt road, which will eventually lead you to the top with a large statue of the golden standing Buddha and an observation deck with views of the Taton and the valley of the Kok River. But the most interesting place is not at the very top, but at the penultimate eighth level. It is a large and beautiful pavilion, resembling a pagoda in shape. You can go inside it and climb the spiral staircase-ramp in the form of a dragon to the very top, where a very important shrine is kept in a glass sarcophagus. Read more about the Taton Temple here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located in Taton, 180 kilometers from Chiang Mai and 80 kilometers from Chiang Rai on route 107 (temple on the map). There are buses and minibuses from Chang Phuak Bus station in Chiang Mai and from the main bus station in the center of Chiang Rai. For more information on how to get there, follow the link with a full description.
Fung or Fang (Fang)
It is a small town almost in the extreme north of the province near the border with Burma. We visited Feng passing through, and to be honest, I can not unequivocally recommend it as a place where it is necessary and special to come. But you will not be able to pass it while traveling along this route, since the city is located directly along the way, and besides, there is at least some infrastructure and a dozen hotels and guest houses. We didn't find anything special here, except for a couple of typical temples and parks in architecture. Near Phang, along the border with Burma, there is a large national park Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, where there are hot springs, an observation point at the top of the mountain and several hiking trails. Not far from Fang there is Pong Nam Dang National Park, famous for a beautiful waterfall with a place for swimming and several observation points overlooking the mountains. Admission is free. Read more about the city of Fang here...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Fung is located on the north road No.107 along the border between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (Fung on the map). It is 150 kilometers from Chiang Mai and about 130 kilometers from Chiang Rai. There are minibuses and small buses from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai (100 baht) and Taton (50 baht), run from about 5 am to 5 pm every hour. However, if you have the opportunity to rent a transport, then we recommend that you get here this way. Read more at the link with the full description.
Doi Inthanon Mountain and National Park
The highest point of Thailand is the peak of Doi Intanon Mountain, which rises 2565 meters above sea level, and it is also one of the most famous and most visited Chiang Mai National Park. Most often tourists visit the mountain and the national park in the form of a one-day excursion from the city on their own or as part of a group, but there are several guest houses and campsites in and near the park, where you can stay if you wish. The culmination of visiting the national park is considered to be the top of the mountain, from where the views open, but to be honest, this is not the most interesting thing here. In addition to the summit, there are several equipped tourist routes along which you can walk to eight waterfalls, two conditional ethnic villages, and visit the observation deck with two pagodas. All these routes are easy, each of them is overcome from several tens of minutes to several hours. In one full day it is quite possible to walk 2-3 of them, and if you stay here overnight, then on the second day you can visit all the other trails. More information about the routes and the order of visits is available on the park's website.
Practical Information
🌐 Website: www.thainationalparks.com
🕐Working hours: the entrance to the park is open from 5:30 to 18:30, seven days a week. It is better to visit in clear weather in the morning, otherwise the views may be hidden in clouds and haze.
Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to the territory of the national park for foreigners 300 baht per adult (9 USD), 150 baht per child (4.5 USD), and an additional 30 baht from the car and 20 from the motorcycle. It is paid at the checkpoint at the entrance, it is not required to issue passes in advance. In addition, for the passage to the two pagodas 100 baht, as well as for the passage along the route to the villages, you will be urged to hire a guide for 200 baht.
🚶 How to get there: Doi Inthanon Mountain and the national park are located 58 kilometers from Chiang Mai (Doi Intanon Mountain on the map). It is most convenient to get here by rented transport or hire a car with a driver for a trip. Also, travel agencies on the streets of Chiang Mai sell ready-made one-day tours from 1200 baht.
The ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam (Wiang Kum Kam)
It is the remains of an ancient city built by King Mengrai the Great, the founder of the kingdom of Lanna as its capital. The city was the first capital of the kingdom, but due to frequent floods during the flooding of the Ping River, it was abandoned and a new city of Chiang Mai was built, where the capital was moved. It has only recently been restored and opened to the public. It is an open-air archaeological museum, and free of charge. You will definitely like it here if you are a lover of antiquities, history and archeology, and especially after you get pretty tired of the endless string of Chiang Mai temples. The territory of the complex is quite large, and there is no as such bounded by a fence and designated territory. So the best option would be to come here by rented car or motorbike. If this is not possible, then you can buy here on the spot a 45-minute tour of the ancient city in a horse-drawn carriage or in a walking electric car for 300. You can also rent a bike here for 50 baht and explore the ruins as much as you want without time limit. Learn more about the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam...
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: from 8:30 to 16:30.
Entrance fee / ticket price: for foreigners, access to the waterfall is 100 baht (3 USD).
🚶 How to get there: Wiang Kum Kam occupies part of the outskirts of modern Chiang Mai, 7 kilometers from the center (Wiang Kum Kam on the map). Regular songteo minibuses from the old town do not go here, at least we could not find such. Therefore, you need to get there by rented transport, tuk-tuk or taxi, a one-way trip will cost from 150 baht.
Mae Sa Waterfall
This waterfall is very long, consists of 10 small waterfalls, each of which is located at a distance of 100 to 500 meters from each other, and to see all the cascades, you will have to walk two kilometers along the river. This place is well equipped with bridges and gazebos, and is very popular among locals as a picnic spot, and it is one of the most famous and easily accessible waterfalls in the province.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: from 8:30 to 16:30.
Entrance fee / ticket price: for foreigners, access to the waterfall is 100 baht (3 USD).
🚶 How to get there: The waterfall is located in the Mae Sa Valley in the Doi Suthep Pui National Park. It is about 25 kilometers from Chiang Mai. It is best to get there by rented transport. It is necessary to go along Highway 107 (north, towards Chiang Dao) and turn left onto road 1096 in the city of Mae Rim, then follow the signs (Mae Sa waterfall on the map)
Royal Palace of Phu Ping (Phu Ping Palace)
On the Doi Suthep Mountain, you can visit not only the Doi Suthep temple. If you have already climbed such a high mountain to the temple, it is worth driving a little more to visit the Winter Royal Palace Phu Ping Palace, where its name is written as Bhu Bing Palace. Not only the palace itself is beautiful, but also the gardens around it, in fact, it's worth going here for them. But the palace itself is quite modest, and you can't see it up close, the guards won't let you in. But the gardens are simply luxurious, especially during the flowering period from January to March. But the most important thing is that this is a functioning royal palace and members of the royal family are still there today, although visitors are not allowed to access it at this time. To visit the palace and the park, you need to be dressed appropriately: shorts and skirts, open planks and excessively revealing clothes are prohibited.
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: The Royal Palace is open on weekdays from 8:30 to 11:30 and from 13:00 to 15:00, but on days when the royal family lives there, access is closed. Attention! As of the beginning of 2025, the palace is closed, nothing is known about the opening time..
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: 50 baht (1.5 USD).
🚶 How to get there: To get to the palace, you need to get to the Doi Suthep Temple, and then drive along the winding road for another four kilometers (Phu Ping Palace on the map).
Stupa to King Naresuan (King Naresuan Stupa)
The Stupa or Monument to King Naresuan the Great (King Naresuan Stupa) is located in the Mueang Ngai district of Chiang Dao township. It is believed that the king visited this place in 1604 before sending troops to Burma, with which countless wars were waged at that time. King Naresuan was one of the greatest rulers of Thailand, he is especially revered and loved by the Thai people. During his reign, the size and importance of the kingdom reached its peak, for which I attribute to him the title of the savior of the nation. There are many legends about him, many books and films are dedicated to him. And this stupa is one of the symbols of respect and love for the king. Read more about the stupa to King Naresuan the Great here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: during daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the stupa to King Naresuan the Great is located in Chiang Dao, 80 kilometers north of the city of Chiang Mai (stupa on the map). You can get here by rented transport or taxi. As far as we know, no public transport goes directly to the stupa, but you can get to Chiang Dao by minibus, and from there by taxi.
Huay Luek (Huay Luek Royal Project)
This is a project of the royal family to maintain and revive agriculture in the northern province of Chiang Mai, as well as the Hmong, Lahu and other ethnic groups. In fact, it is something like a large farm of natural or organic products, as it is now commonly called. In our opinion, this place is nothing special from a tourist point of view and is not worth a special visit, but as a stopover point on the way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai along the border road through Taton or Fang, there is quite a place to be. There is a small recreation area on the shore of the lake and along the main road, there is an organic grocery store (the prices seemed a little overpriced to us), a restaurant, and a small greenhouse. Read more about Huai Luek here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: from 07:00 to 17:00.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located in the north of the province, 100 kilometers from Chiang Mai on the road to Taton and Fung ( huay Luek on the map). You can easily get here by bus from Chang Phuak bus station, which go to Thaton. However, it is better to visit this place on the way by passing by rented transport.
Hinoku Land Japanese Park
Hinoku Land is a beautiful theme park designed in the style of Japanese art and traditions. On a large open-air territory there is a fish pond, flower clubs and a flower tunnel, Hinoku Castle, a Japanese town, a cafe, a souvenir shop. In one of the pavilions there is a photo zone where you can rent a Japanese dress for a photo shoot on the territory. In general, it's just a nice and beautiful place to walk, and nothing more. Read more about the Japanese Hinoku Land park here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: 80 baht (approximately 2.4 USD).
🚶 How to get there: located in the north of the province, 120 kilometers from Chiang Mai on the road to Taton and Fung (Hinoku Land on the map). You can easily get here by bus from Chang Phuak bus station, which go to Thaton. However, it is better to visit this place on the way by passing by rented transport.
Wat Udom Mongkol Mirror Temple
This temple is called Wat Udom Mongkhon on all maps for some reason, and Wat Udom Mongkol is written at the entrance to the temple itself. Whatever the name, we visited this provincial temple by chance, having seen it on the way from Chiang Mai to Fang. It attracts with its extremely unusual decoration of tiny mirrors, which makes it look sparkling, as if made of silver. In general, if you drive through here, you can put this point in the navigator to make a short stop here and admire its splendor. Read more about the Wat Udom Mongkol mirror temple here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: during daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: in Mae Kha village on route 107 from Chiang Mai to Taton and Fung (temple on the map).
Garden Thanathon Orchard
This is a fruit farm for growing tangerines and other citrus fruits, as well as bananas on an industrial scale. That is, it is not just a tourist place where tourists are brought only to show a few trees and sell something, but a real farm where fruits are grown and supplied for sale in large quantities. And with all this, the farm is accessible to tourists. To be honest, we think that it is not worth going specifically only to this farm from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, it is too far away. But if you travel by rented transport along the border route No. 107 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai or back with stops, then it is quite possible to make one entertaining stop at this place. Tangerines and oranges are very tasty and inexpensive here, they can be bought near the parking lot in front of the farm entrance, prices depending on the "caliber" of fruit from 20 baht per kilogram (approximately 0.6 USD). Learn more about the Thanathon Orchard garden here...
Practical Information
🕐Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge, 40 baht boat ride (approximately 1.2 USD).
🚶 How to get there: located near the town of Taton on road 107 180 kilometers from Chiang Mai (farm on the map).
Abandoned Hot Springs Malika Hot Springs
Malika Hot Springs hot Springs were once a cool place to stop by during a trip from Taton to Chiang Mai and swim in hydrogen sulfide thermal baths. But this place did not survive the pandemic, and is now completely abandoned. Perhaps in the future it will be restored, but now there are only ruins of the resort and lakes with hot water. You can't swim in the lakes, the water is too hot, but if you walk a little further from the lake along the field, you can find a stream with not very hot water there, and you can at least wet your feet there. If you want to completely swim in the thermal springs, you can go a little further down the road towards Chiang Rai, there is a equipped springs Pon Nam Rong Hot spring (they were also called Huai Hin Fon spring).
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Located on roadNo.107 between Taton and Chiang Rai, almost on the border between the two provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (sources of Malik on the map).