Chiang Dao (เชียงดาว) is a town in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand.
Understand[edit]
Chiang Dao lies above the Menam Ping gorge on the green slopes of Doi Chiang Dao mountain. 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.
Get in[edit]
Chiang Dao is 72 km north of Chiang Mai on Hwy 107 to Fang and Thaton (Thailand).
By plane[edit]
The nearest major airport is in Chiang Mai. A metered, air conditioned taxi will cost about 1,000-1,200 baht one-way.
By bus[edit]
The easiest and cheapest way to get in and out of Chiang Dao is to stay next to, or near, Hwy 107. Anywhere along side the highway, one can wave down a bus or songthaew to either go towards Chiang Mai (40 baht), or Fang (40 baht). Buses run quite often (between 06:00-18:00 every half hour).
There are buses six times daily from Chiang Mai to Tha Ton, which stop at Chiang Dao along the way. 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 one-way to a resort.
Get around[edit]
Most guesthouses can arrange motorcycles for rent for around 200-300 baht/day. This is is one of the cheapest options as there are very few taxis in the town and they employ a price fixing strategy. Be prepared to pay 150 baht per ride from one of these regardless of how much you barter.
Taxis usually stay in town close to the 7-11. Better to negotiate with taxi drivers directly, rather than asking at your guest house as they mark up their prices sometimes quite dramatically.
Places such as Mon and Kurt's Restaurant and Guest house, also rent reliable bicycles and mountain bikes (100 baht per day/24 hours).
Tip: If you are travelling Hwy 107, the songthaews that travel there are only 10 baht within the Chiang Dao area all the way to the Muang Ngai turnoff, north of town.
See[edit][add listing]
Birdwatching. Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows cater to bird watchers and are very helpful with information. edit
Chiang Dao Cave (ถ้ำเชียงดาว ''Tham Chiang Dao'), (5 km off the main highway). 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, but lack spectacular decorations. Bringing your own flashlight is recommended. Electricity fee is 40 baht. You can tour the lighted part of the cave alone, or hire a guide with a lantern to view the unlit caverns. It will cost you 100 baht per group (goes to the temple?), plus the guide will expect the tip of about 100 baht/person. edit
Hot springs. The original hot springs consisted of several small concrete basins fed from a pipe. A few years ago the friendly owner, Ura, of Take Restaurant, built two very nice Japanese gardens, with bamboo gazebos, and a changing room, showers, and toilets. There is also a small restaurant on-site. The concrete basins, further up the road, are free to use; fee for the Japanese Garden is 100 baht. edit
San Phakia. A spot for overnight camping located on the mountain with a fantastic view over Doi Luang Chiang Dao and the valley below. In January it's a good place to see cherry blossoms. Tents, sleeping mattresses, and blankets are available for rent (300 baht/tent). A few bungalows are also available. Access via 24 km dirt road. Turn off the main road at Mae Na. Drivable on a small bike, but not on a heavier bikes with street tires. edit
Do[edit][add listing]
Waterfall in Chiang Dao National Park
Doi Luang Chiang Dao (ดอยหลวงเชียดางว). At 2,225 m, this is the highest peak in the area (and the third-highest in all of Thailand after Doi Inthanon and Doi Pha Hom Pok) and doable as a two-day trip. It is a limestone mountain in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Reserve area. Narrow plains on top of the mountain overlook 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.
Getting there: The peak is accessible on foot. At the Park Headquarters (head to Wildlife Sanctuary), guides, porters, and chartered transfers to the starting point of the trail are available. A rented local truck costs around 1200 baht and a porter is 300 baht per person (plus 200 bath ticket for the park). There are a lot of Thai people group going there, just ask to share the vehicle with them. 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. There is a small village with lodging near the start of the northern trail, easily accessible on a motorbike via paved road.
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.
Pha Daeng National Park, [1]. The town of Chiang Dao is adjacent to the park, which covers over 1,000 square kilometres of the stunning craggy mountains in the area. Being fairly high up, it's noticeably cooler and drier than on the plains and can get downright cold in the winter. The local flora are semi-tropical, with extensive bamboo forests and a number of mountain streams and waterfalls. The area is popular for trekking, as in addition to the mountain views, there are many Lisu and Karen hill tribe villages scattered throughout the park. edit
Trekking[edit]
Chiang Dao Nest Tours and Trekking, [2]. Offers a wide variety of 2-3 day treks in the national park. Small, private groups led by local hill tribe guides. Roughly 1,000 baht/person/day, all-inclusive. edit
Buy[edit][add listing]
Tuesday Morning Market, (downtown Chiang Dao on Hwy 107). Colourful displays, local and hill tribe goods and many great deals. A great way to spend a Tuesday morning in Chiang Dao. edit
Eat[edit][add listing]
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 - every dish is a sophisticated mix of flavors, this is not a typically thrown together dish. This is worth a stop even if you're not staying at the nest - even if you are staying in Chiang Mai. Beautiful setting in the mountains to boot. Everything is very tastefully done. edit
DoiMek Café, 450/1, Moo 10, Mueang Ngai (just north of Chiang Dao is an intersection. Turn left. The café is on the left 2 km after the turn.), ☎ +66 53 375088, [3]. 07:00-18:00. Serves local, organically shade-grown Arabica coffee beans freshly roasted every week. It is set in traditional Thai-inspired architecture. There is free Wi-Fi, a camping area, and clean bathrooms for backpackers or visitors who are preparing to go up Doi Ang Kang. The café also serves simple food, with locally-sourced ingredients. 40-150 baht. edit
Haniba Coffee, (opposite PTT gas station). Nice coffee shop. Cheesecakes! edit
Malee's Nature Resort, (close to Chiang Dao Cave), ☎ +66 81 9618387, [4]. Reasonably priced selection of Thai and Western foods. A great breakfast with fresh home made bread and jams. Cosy garden with 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. The location offers a pool in a cosy garden with views of the surrounding mountains. Free Wi-Fi. There are detailed maps of the area on display and there is a bird sightings log. Accommodation: 250-2,000 baht. edit
Chiang Dao Saloon, previously named Mon and Kurt's Restaurant and Guesthouse, Chiang Dao (across the street from the Chiang Dao Inn Hotel), ☎ +66 84 1739975, [5]. 11:00-22:00, Tu-Su. Mon, the owner, serves delicious Western, Thai, and vegetarian food. She also brews a great cup of coffee. You may have to wait for a while for your food and it is recommended that you make reservations on weekends because the place is quite popular with local expats as well as Thais. It is well-worth the wait! Fast, free Wi-Fi, air conditioned inside during hot season. Large selection of imported beers and wines. Conveniently located at the first class (Bangkok) bus stop. Nice garden sitting area, outside the air conditioned restaurant downstairs. Bar offers a good selection of wine and imported beers, along with shooters and highballs. They use quality alcohol. (Jose Quervo Especial Tequila, Jack Daniel's, Jaegermeister, Russian vodka, etc.). edit
Take Cafe. Japanese restaurant, run by a Japanese gentleman and his wife on the road between Chiang Dao village and the cave. Very reasonable prices, jovial host, and enjoyable, inexpensive Japanese food. edit
The Star, 385 m. 7 chaingdao chaingdao chaingmai 50170 (Across from the Tesco Lotus Express + 7-11). 10 - 24. This place is cute, clean, and fun. The staff are super friendly. It's great patio atmosphere right on the main road - perfect for cooling off and people watching. Delicious food, cold beer, liquor, free Wi-Fi. edit
Black Cat Vacation Rental, 280 Moo 12 Chiang Dao (5 km from ChiangDao Cave just across Rt 107), ☎ 0932148123 or 0844867190, [6]. Black Cat Vacation rental serves thai and european cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. A great place to gather around the nightly campfire and share with friends old and new. Sirine the vivacious owner speaks fluent English. edit
Drink[edit][add listing]
The Cav