Huai Nam Dang National Park - Thailand Travel Guide

Huai Nam Dang National Park



Huai Nam Dang National Park is a large park which is part of four districts over an area of approximately 1,300 square kilometres. The park is situated on top of a ridge of hills and highest peaks source streams that feed the Pai, Ping, and Taeng Rivers. The park offers excellent views of the mist and fog common to the area in the early morning, and is also abundant with a number of different types of flower and wildlife. The area is also home to the Lisu tribe.

Details: Huai Nam Dang is best visited in winter to fully experience the mist around the mountains. The temperature can go as low as 10 degrees centigrade from October to February but goes up to 25 degrees centigrade from March to April.




How to get there: Huai Nam Dang National Park is about 60 kilometres along the Mae Malai to Pai Highway from Mae Hong Son. Clearly, given the distance and the scale of the park, it might well be worth considering the tours that are available from Mae Hong Son.

Doi Pha Hhom bhog Chiang Mai - Thailand Travel Guide

Doi Pha Hhom bhog, the second highest mountain in Thailand, is about 2,285 meters
above sea level. Lying at the top of the mountain is a plain area which causes by
geological condition; there have thin layer of soil and stratum of granite lays
underground, and heavy blowing wind all the year round. From that place, traveler
can see wonderful sceneries such as Fog Sea and the road on the ridges of mountains
along with Thai-Burmese border. The road is constructed in accordance with adding
national security between the two countries. The forest is rainforest and the source
of water so that makes the place have the best natural environment and different kind
of biological organism, for examples, there are rare species of plants and animals
such as Impatiens jurpioides T. Shimizu, Imperial Butterfly, and Kaiser Butterfly.

Weather Condition
The temperature in this area is approximately 25 degrees Celsius all the year round;
it is about 14 - 19 degrees Celsius on November to February, the highest temperature
is 39 degree Celsius on April and heavy rain on May to September approximately
1,184 mm. of rain all the year round.

Restaurants and Dining in Chiang Mai - Thailand Travel Guide

Restaurants and Dining in Chiang Mai

One of the highlights of your stay in Thailand will be the excellent and delicious food.

Thai cuisine is increasingly regarded as one of the best and healthiest in the world, and rightly so.

Since literally everything can be grown in Thailand, a country that stretches almost two thousand kilometers from north to south and thus provides some variation in climate, ingredients of incredible variety have been introduced into Thai cooking over the centuries

While plants that prefer colder weather like strawberries, apples and carrots grow in the Himalayan foothills of Northern Thailand, the whole variety of true tropical fruits are cultivated at lower altitudes all over the country. The tropical sea of Thailand is home to delectable and healthy fish and seafood while all kinds of meat and poultry are available.

Chiang Mai is a true heaven for gourmets. Not only is the food superb and cheap, many restaurants also offer a unique banyaagaat (atmosphere) in elegant and tranquil settings, something that Thai patrons cherish almost as much as the cooking.

Some eateries are in fact wooden teak villas which may be situated by the banks of the Ping River or in a shady grove in tropical vegetation.

List of restaurants in Chiang Mai.

Visit Mae Jaem & Doi Inthanon Chiang Mai - Thailand Travel Guide

Visit Mae Jaem & Doi Inthanon

When looking around the Night Bazaar, Day Bazaar (Wararot Market) or window shopping for dress items and souvenirs, you will have noticed fabric lengths which form the wrap-around sarongs (Bha Zin in Thai) that many Thai ladies wear on best dressed occasions. The fabrics come in a range of various complementing colors and are distinguished by an intricate, geometric design at around knee level and a plain band of color, normally red, around the hem. Such sarongs are Dteen Jok design and are traditionally woven at the craft village of Mae Jaem. These beautiful sarongs are normally woven from cotton although silk is readily available for those requiring a more lustrous fabric. Indeed Dteen Jok patterned silk Bha Zin, highlighted with gold or silver thread, often makes the sarong of choice for ladies of means. Many ladies (and gentlemen too) like to visit Mae Jaem where they can see the Dteen Jok fabric being woven and to do so during festival days is an extra bonus as the ran ge of designs is superb.



Any day during the cool season textile lovers would enjoy a combination of two destinations, Mae Jaem and Doi Inthanon in one Trip. If not the cool season, visitors can settle on festive or ordinary days. However, the Mae Jaem Dteen Jok Fabric Festival, runs from 7 until 9 February this year, can easily be combined with a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailands highest peak at 8,514 feet or 2,565 meters above sea level). If you are taking your own rental vehicle (rather than with an organized car or tour), follow the road south of Chiang Mai which runs from Airport Plaza to Hang Dong, Sanpatong, Chom Thong and Hod (See the map in this magazine). Before reaching the township of Chom Thong, there is a large, English language, sign directing visitors to Doi Inthanon (Route 1009). This well surfaced road will climb up through the National Park (eventually to the radar installation near the summit) but if you prefer to call in at the Dteen Jok Festival prior to visiting The Top of Thailand, then make a left turn, after passing the Park Headquarters at around the Kilometer 38 marker, and continue 22 kilometers on Route 1192 to Mae Jaem.



The district town of Mae Jaem is snuggled into a valley, over one of Doi Inthanons many shoulders. The road winds picturesquely through wonderful scenery and pine-scented forests. As with any Thai festival, all the fun of the fair is on hand with parades, beauty contests, plenty of music, food-stalls and, of course, numerous exhibits of Dteen Jok fabric to see and buy. Mae Jaem is also a destination for white-water rafting especially between October and April. There are hot springs too 40 kms. away on Rte. 1088. Mae Jaem has at least seven ancient temples Wat Phratart Chang Kerng, Wat Gong Gaan, Wat Buddha En, Wat Yaang Luang, Wat Jiang, Wat Pa Daed, and Wat Gong Khaek. The last two temples have historic mural paintings that show daily life in the old days. There are Hot Springs too so visitors who can stay for awhile might like to enjoy these other options. Three guesthouses welcome visitors.

Climbing back up the road from Mae Jaem to rejoin the main road to Doi Inthanons summit, take time to enjoy the spectacular scenery all around. The slopes of Doi Inthanon are home to many of His Majesty King Bhumibols Royal Projects that are worked by many of the 3,000 Hilltribe peoples who live permanently at this high altitude. Most people are from the Karen or Hmong tribes (there is a large Hmong village near the Park Headquarters at Baan Khun Glang). They are engaged in Royal projects ranging from trout farming to coffee growing. Waterfalls, streams, abundant bird life (over 380 species including eagles and hawks), nature trails, cool temperature flora and fauna (winter nighttime temperatures can fall to 5 Centigrade) all combine to makeup the natural beauty of Doi Inthanon (many visitors like to spend a few days/nights on the slopes and bungalow accommodation may be pre-booked at the Park Headquarters, phone 053-311608). Twin chedies (jedees), dedicated to Their Maje sties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, rise high on the left of the summit road. Once at the summit; well, on a clear day you can see the Top of Thailand Forever? The summit of Doi Inthanon National Park is wonderful for a full-day excursion from Chiang Mai or longer if you have time to really explore the slopes and is a recommended extension from the Dteen Jok Festival at Mae Jaem. Happy, careful and safe driving during a wonderful day out !!

Wat Chedi Luang - Thailand Travel Guide

Built in 1391, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 8th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 44 meters (144 feet) wide and 86 meters (282 feet) tall and was the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred cultural treasure. Damaged during an earthquake in 1545, the structure is still impressive with a naga (water serpent) staircase on each of its faces and wonderful statues of elephants adorning the base. Legend has it that if the gum tree just inside the entrance ever falls, a terrible disaster will occur. A special pulley system allows visitors to leave offerings and prayers atop the chedi. The temple is located on Phra Pokklao Road and is easy to find, since the chedi is one of the tallest buildings in the old city.

Doi Inthanon Chiang Mai - Thailand Travel Guide

Doi Inthanon Attractions

Doi Inthanon National Park has much to offer visitors besides its natural beauty. For centuries the area has been home to various hill tribes who still reside there and maintain their ancient way of life. At the base of the peaks you will find Hmong villages, where the people continue to tend their fields as they have done for hundreds of years. The only change is the crop. Thanks to the Royal Project, these people have switched from cultivating opium poppies and now grow other commercial crops such as vegetables and flowers. Visitors are welcome to the Royal Project, which is located right near the rangers' station.

Try a trip to the Hmong Village, Khun Ya Noi, for a visit to the market and to admire the people's colourfully embroidered clothing. There are also several Karen villages, such as Ban Mae Ab Nai, where you can purchase fine examples of traditional Karen weaving and textiles and observe the quaint Karen way of life first hand. If you are up for a bit of a hike then check out Brichinda Cave, a beautiful limestone cave which is open to the sky. The cave is located in the middle of a deciduous forest, about an hour's walk from the road.

For those keen on trekking Doi Inthanon is a paradise, with four striking nature trails to explore. Nature trails are a great way to experience the fantastic scenery of Doi Inthanon up close and personal. Doi Inthanon nature trails take a few hours to walk and maps and guides are available at the ranger station. Near the summit of Doi Inthanon you will find two Chedis dedicated to Their Royal Majesties, the King and Queen. The Chedis are located on facing hills, about 100 meters (330 feet) from one another. They were erected to commemorate the King and Queen's 60th birthdays and each contain exquisitely crafted Buddha images as well as fine tiled murals. The views offered from the hills can be astounding on a clear day but there is often cloud cover or fog obscuring visibility.

Chiang Mai National Museum - Thailand Travel Guide

Chiang Mai National Museum is the Main regional museum of the north. The fine Arts Department has assigned this museum to be the centre of education and preservation of art and culture of Chiang Mai and upper northern Thailand, the old Lan Na Kingdom.
Their Majesties the King and Queen graciously presided over the opening of the museum on 6 February 1973. The museum is designed as a Thai style building with a traditional northern of Lan Na style rooftop.
On the occasion of the Celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of his Majesty the King's Accession to the throne, and the 700th Anniversary of the Esbablishment of Chiang Mai in 1996, the Chiang Mai National Museum has been under renovation. The museum building has been expanded to its original full plan and the permanent exhibition will be revised with new displays and additional information, enhanced by new technology. The revised exhibition will be divided into six topics.

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep - Thailand Travel Guide

The temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is certainly one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, as well as one of the most revered among all Thais. The temple is a major pilgrimage destinations during the important Buddhist holidays of Makha Buja and Visak. Its importance, as well as its location, owes much to the legend of its founding.

According to this legend, a Buddha relic, which some say glowed, magically replicated just before it was about to be enshrined in the big chedi at Wat Suan Dok. The "cloned" relic was placed on the back of a sacred white elephant, which was allowed to roam where-ever it wanted.


More details from around 1989.
The elephant eventually climbed to the top of Suthep Mountain, trumpeted three times, turned around three times, knelt down and died. This was taken as a sign that this was the spot where the relic wanted to be, so King Ku Na built the original of the chedi on Doi Suthep at the end of 14th century.


The chedi and courtyard after its first big renovation in 1992.
The temple grew and changed in the 600 years since its founding. In particular, it was extensively renovated in the economic "boom" years of the early 1990's. From our admittedly western viewpoint, a lot of the charm has been lost as everything was covered in granite and gold. However, the temple remains an important sight that first-time visitors to Chiang Mai shouldn't miss.

The chedi sits in a rather small courtyard at the very peak of the mountain. The courtyard building sits on a larger plaza containing several buildings as well as a lookout point from which you can see, weather permitting, all of Chiang Mai and the surrounding plain.



The chedi in 1999.
Among the buildings on the plaza is a small museum displaying old pieces of temple wares as well as some of the more ancient or unique monetary donations to the temple. Note that before entering the courtyard containing the chedi, you must remove your shoes. You must also be dressed appropriately, although the temple can provide some clothing on loan to cover up your naughty knees and slinky shoulders.

Now for the bad news: To reach the temple itself requires a climb up a naga staircase of 309 steps. For the faint of heart, there's also a funicular cable-car to the top which has just been re-built after several fatal crashes. The fare for the new improved funicular is 20 Baht.

At the base of stairs, where cars and motorcycles park, there is a large market of food stalls, jade factories and endless relentless souvenir sellers.

Chiang Mai-Thailand's Second City

Chiang Mai, 761 by rail, approximately 700 kilometers by road north of Bangkok, with an area of 20,107 square kilometers, is Thailand's second largest city and capital of the northern region. It is an entity unto itself. Chaing Mai counts among its attractions a famous night market, great hill tribe villages nearby and a host of world-class accommodation at less than Bangkok prices. It also has, alas, a reputation for world-class pollutions. The city, like Bangkok earlier is undergoing great strain as it strives to grow in both stature and size. That however does not seem to deter tourists and a veritable army of experts who prefer to call it home.
Chaing Mai, besides playing host to countless Wats and the world famous Ping river, is also a convenient jumping off point to other countries in the Mekong region, such as Laos and Southern China. Cheap and cheerful airlines with matching fares have made it much more affordable for folks to travel by air between the capitol, Bangkok, and Thailand's second city. For golfers Chaing Mai has plenty of variety www.thailandgolfmaps.com with courses designed to please most standards of golfers nearby.

Festivals
The Flower Carnival celebrates the period when Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and is characterised by colourful floral floats and parades.

Songkran celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran with special elation in a 3-day carousal of religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing.

Yi Peng is Thailand's loveliest festival when, under the full moon, people float away onto rivers, canals, lakes and streams banana-leaf boats bearing a lighted candle, incense, a flower and small coin to honour water spirits and float away the past year's sins.

Chiangmai Thailand Flower Festival Parade - Thailand Travel Guide

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Huai Nam Dang - Thailand Travel Guide

Huai Nam Dang Located on the joint border between Mae Taeng District of Chiang Mai and Pai District of Mae Hong Son. Total area covers 179.5 sq.kms Here the scenery is beautiful, especially the sea of flying mist in the morning. Many tourists like to come and pitch tents (there is minor charges for pitching tents), tasting the cold weather at the top of these high mountains whilst awaiting the dawn mists.

Interesting places are:

Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint
On the top of the hill, one can enjoy a panoramic scenery, stretching up to Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The view is very beautiful, especially in the morning, when the flying mist fills the whole valley, revealing just a sharp top of Doi Luang Chiang Dao. Be there and imagine how beautiful it would be.

Doi Chang Viewpoint
The highest spot of Huay Nam Dang National Park. Here is the origin of several waterfalls. Located in the north of Ban Huay Nam Dang, there is a famous viewpoint in the morning. You can look around a sea of mist and mountainous scenery, stretching away for about 20 kilometers. The route is still a laterite one.

Huay Nam Dang Waterfall
The fall originates from a canal, passing through 3-4 levels. Its height around 50 metres and width 10 metres.

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