8 Awesome Things to Do in Chiang Dao + Ultimate Travel Guide

Considering its proximity to Thailand’s northern powerhouse, Chiang Mai, it’s surprising how few tourists visit Chiang Dao. It’s even more surprising considering just how much this northern village has going for itself and how many awesome things there are to do in Chiang Dao.

Best of all, it’s still off-the-beaten-track, so you don’t have to worry about being surrounded by elephant pants and selfie sticks while you’re here. Chiang Dao is a great place to hang out in Northern Thailand for those who are looking for a mountainous alternative to the tourist-saturated hotspots of Pai and Chiang Rai. 

Chiang Dao: Overview

Chiang Dao is easily northern Thailand’s hidden gem and up-and-coming superstar. This little town, just a couple of hours north of Chiang Mai, has so much to offer. If you’ve visited all the best temples in Chiang Mai and are looking for a new adventure, then Chiang Dao is a great option.

What is there to do in Chiang Dao? Well, it’s home to Thailand’s third-highest mountain and arguably, its most beautiful. It has an astonishing complex of caves, which penetrate more than 10 km inside the mountain massif. There are superb food options, and to top it all off, it’s surrounded by various hill-tribe villages, lending it a unique cultural atmosphere. 

Read: The Best of Thailand Off the Beaten Track

When to Visit Chiang Dao

The best time to visit Chiang Dao is between November and late January. This window sits right outside Northern Thailand’s smokey season (February to May) and rainy season (June to October). 

You can absolutely still visit in the rainy season, you’ll just have some afternoon rain to put up with. While the big hikes will be closed for the year, the hot springs, cave and excellent dining will all still be available and are great options at this time. 

You can still visit in February, however, the smoke will be setting in and the views will be obstructed. The air quality will also be pretty poor, so this is a less-than-ideal time to visit. 

We visited Chiang Dao in both late January and early February, and we much preferred the late January visit.

Where is Chiang Dao?

Chiang Dao is located 72 km north of Chiang Mai. 

It gets a bit cooler up here, so our pro tip is to pack something warm for the evenings. Our Icebreaker fleeces were perfect for the temperatures here!

Explore Bangkok’s Coolest Neighbourhoods

How to Get to Chiang Dao

From Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao is very easy to get to. You can either self-drive, if you have your own wheels, or take a bus.

Self-Drive

If you have your own wheels, this is the best way to get to Chiang Dao. As we mention below, you’ll really want your own transportation while you’re here. The drive up is easy and takes you through a green, lush river canyon. 

Renting a scooter from Chiang Mai is a great option. We recommend Bamboo Bikes. (We are not affiliated with them, we have just enjoyed our experiences renting from them).

Of course, you’re not just limited to a scooter and you can always rent a car. In our experience, it’s cheaper and easier to rent online. Hop over to Discover Cars for the best deals – it’s what we use and recommend.

Take Highway 107 (the Mae Rim Road) north out of Chiang Mai and go straight for an hour or so. Stay left at the intersection to the south of town, which will take you towards the mountain and the cave (where all the guesthouses are located).

Bus 

Buses for Chiang Dao depart regularly from Chiang Mai’s Chang Phuak Bus Terminal (also known as the North Gate Bus Terminal). 

The fare is anywhere between 50 THB and 200 THB, depending on the type of service. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

If you would like to book your bus ticket in advance, you can do so here. 

The buses drop you off at the Chiang Dao Bus Terminal, which is located in the middle of Chiang Dao village. Most of the activities and guesthouses are further towards the mountain, so you will need to arrange a pick-up or hitchhike to get there from the terminal.

Want a southern Thailand adventure? Read our guide on Khao Sok National Park

Things to Do in Chiang Dao

There are so many things to do in Chiang Dao, plus, it’s also a great spot to just chill and soak in the mountain-nature vibes.

Chiang Dao Cave

The Chiang Dao Cave is the most famous attraction in the region and the only place that might be busy. It’s the most popular thing to do in Chiang Dao.

There are two parts to the cave: the main, lighted portion and the deeper, pitch-back portion. 

The sights in the lighted portion continue for only a few hundred metres. There are stalagmites and stalactites, along with hundreds of Buddha statues and other votive items placed there by devout Buddhists. You can see this portion in 15 – 30 minutes. 

If you want to explore past the lighted areas, you need to hire a local guide with a lantern. 

The guides cost 100 THB. 

Chiang Dao Hot Springs

The Chiang Dao Hot Springs, while simple, are fantastic. Literally constructed of a few concrete tubs just big enough for a couple of people, they’re set against a babbling stream. Each tub is a different temperature, allowing you to chop and change as you feel. If you pick just one thing to do in Chiang Dao, it should be this!

The springs are pretty popular with locals and can get quite busy, so if it’s peace and solitude you’re after, go early in the morning. Otherwise, join in on the Thai family vacation fun. 

Read about Phayao, northern Thailand’s best-kept secret

Wat Tham Pha Plong Chiang Dao

Two kilometres past Chiang Dao Cave is Wat Tham Pha Plong Chiang Dao, the “walking temple” of Chiang Dao.

From the parking lot, you walk 500 steps up to a golden pagoda. The walk takes you along the edge of the jungle, with introspective and spiritual quotes posted along the way.

It’s a very beautiful walk, slightly tempered by the prolific posters warning about the savage dogs that live on the temple grounds. 

We encountered said savage dogs and can confirm they are not friendly. They seemed to be guarding one particular section, however, and as long as you don’t trespass, you should be fine.

Tuesday Morning Market

Every Tuesday morning is Chiang Dao’s local market. You can find the usual suspects on sale, however, what makes this market particularly interesting is the chance to interact with hill tribe communities in an authentic manner.

Members from various communities come down from the mountains to do their weekly shopping, providing you with the opportunity to engage with them in a real-life setting, rather than in a zoo-like tour common throughout Thailand. If you’re looking for an authentic cultural encounter, this is a great thing to do in Chiang Dao.

Related: Lampang: Chiang Mai’s Cool Little Sister

Explore on a Scooter

The scenery in this part of Thailand is nothing short of spectacular and if you are exploring the area by scooter you are in for a treat! Heading off on the highway, it isn’t long before the markets and shops thin and you find yourself in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.

Our recommendation is to simply head for the hills and explore the beautiful mountain area. You’re guaranteed excellent views and there are numerous spots to take in the views and enjoy the scenery. Don’t miss out on this adventurous thing to do in Chiang Dao.

We have a fantastic 4-day road trip that starts from Chiang Dao

Climb Doi Luang Chiang Dao (2,240m) 

For the sake of completeness, we’ve added this in here, but if you think you can just rock up and climb the mountain, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

The centrepiece of Chiang Dao is Doi Luang Chiang Dao, Thailand’s 3rd highest mountain. It’s a beautiful peak towering over the jungle. 

However, in recent years, the procedure to climb the mountain has become ever more convoluted and confusing, with the result that for a foreigner visiting Thailand, it is damn near impossible. 

First of all, there is a very limited climbing season, from November to January. 

Then secondly, to our understanding, a spot must be booked no less than 6 months in advance. It is also unclear how these are booked. We made several inquiries and could not get any clear information. 

If you’re super keen, we suggest contacting Chiang Dao Koko Home well in advance or getting a Thai Speaker to contact the Wildlife Sanctuary on your behalf. 

If you do get the chance to climb the mountain, most people tackle the mountain as an overnight hike, staying at the summit for sunset and sunrise. 

We should also note that independent hiking in the general surroundings is also not really an option. You need a guide for any trail, even the 2 km nature trail that starts near the hot springs. 

If you really want to explore the area on foot, an organised tour is your best bet. Otherwise, it’s best to just kick back and enjoy the view!

Where to Eat in Chiang Dao

Yes, Chiang Mai has some great restaurants, but it’s not the only place in the north where you can eat to your heart’s content. For such a small place, Chiang Dao is stacked with seriously good food options. 

Eating delicious food is one of the best things to do in Chiang Dao. Come hungry!

Chiang Dao Nest

The most famous restaurant in Chiang Dao, Chiang Dao Nest serves up delicious and varied Western food. You can expect Italian, roasts and a full page of salads. 

It’s so well-known, that people travel from Chiang Mai just to eat here. It’s that popular of a thing to do in Chiang Dao.

It’s not cheap, but still good value. The surroundings are also exceptional. 

Chiang Dao Nest 2

The little sister to Chiang Dao Nest, Nest 2 serves up equally delicious Thai fare. It’s a bit cheaper and a little less famous. 

Aladin Pad Thai

We randomly found this little place whilst navigating on Google Maps, and omg, we are so glad we did.

This has to be one of the most unique and best bargain places we’ve eaten at in all of Thailand.

Aladin Pad Thai specialises in making different and unique versions of Pad Thai, such as Pad Thai wontons and Pad Thai sandwiches. They are all incredibly delicious. The best part? Everything costs 30 THB. 

They’re only open for lunch. 

Microkosmos Craft Beer

And finally, to round it all off, there’s also an excellent little microbrewery in Chiang Dao.

You can expect IPAs, stouts, and ambers.

If you’re peckish, they serve up burgers and fries (veggie burgers included). 

The setting is relaxing, with lounge chairs, a hammock and even an old Nintendo system that you can play.

How to Get Around Chiang Dao

Due to how spread out everything is, to fully enjoy the area, you really need your own wheels to get around. 

If you don’t have your own set of wheels, renting a scooter from Chiang Mai is a great option (see above). This will allow you the freedom to go where you want to go and explore the entire area.

Need travel insurance for your trip to Thailand? We love SafetyWing

Like this post? Pin it for later!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book anything through them, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us run this website and create comprehensive guides to help you get off the beaten track. We only recommend products and/or services that we use ourselves and trust.