Chiang Dao
From World travel guide
Chiang Dao (ชียงดาว) is a town in Northern Thailand.
Contents |
Understand
Chiang Dao literally means "City of Stars", although this small rural town is hardly a city.
Get in
Chiang Dao is 72 km north of Chiang Mai on Highway 107 to Fang and Tha Ton.
By bus
There are buses six times daily from Chiang Mai to Tha Ton, which stop at Chiang Dao along the way. 90 minutes, 29 baht.
Get around
See
- Chiang Dao Cave (Tham Chiang Dao). The best-known attraction here, offering 12 kilometers of stalactite-laden caves — although only five of the caverns are accessible to the public. Entry 10B.
Do
The town of Chiang Dao is adjacent to Chiang Dao National Park, which covers over 1000 sq.km. of the stunning craggy mountains in the area, including Doi Chiang Dao itself (2225m). 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 semitropical, 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 in the park.
- Chiang Dao Nest Tours and Trekking, [1]. Offers a wide variety of 2-3 day treks in the national park. Small, private groups led by local hill tribe guides, priced at roughly 1000B/person/day all-inclusive.
Buy
Every Tuesday the town has a market with many hilltribe people coming down to trade.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Accommodation in Chiang Dao is limited to a few guesthouses and hill resorts, mostly along or near the road from the town center to the caves.
Mid-range
- Chiang Dao Nest. Tel. +66 60171985, [2]. This self-proclaimed Mini-Resort run by English/Thai couple Stuart and Wicha offers 11 bungalows from 495B/night, with views of the mountains around and surprisingly gourmet food. Fan, attached bathroom, hot water.
Splurge
- Baan Krating Chiang Dao. Highway 107 Km. 63, tel. +66 19520067, [3]. A "boutique resort" with 10 villas on the banks of the Ping River, 10 km to the south of town. Each villa has aircon, attached bathroom, terrace. Villas from B900/1200 per night in the low/high season.
Get out
External links
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