14 Most Fascinating Sights In Doi Ang Khang (2024)

Doi Ang Khang Itinerary

If you are traveling along this route, be sure to pay attention to our tips for riders, read the article on why the brakes on the mountain descent can fail on an automatic scooter and how to avoid it, as well as pay attention to other unique and amazing routes to Phu Chi Fa or around Chiang Rai.

Pha Daeng National Park (Chiang Dao National Park)

This route passes in some places on very steep slopes, so we do not recommend riding a motorcycle in these places if you do not have enough motorcycle experience, especially if we are talking about motorcycles with a variator, the speed of which cannot be adjusted by the gearbox.

Also, if you are traveling with children, we strongly recommend renting a car instead of a motorcycle, since in our opinion, only madmen who do not care about the safety of their children can travel to these places on a motorcycle with children.

We recommend planning your trip to Doi Ang Khang for 2-3 days because there is so much to see and do along the way.

Chiang Dao Cave and Temple

The Chiang Dao Mountain has multiple caves in its crevices. The total length of the caves are said to be about 12 kilometers long, some that have, and have yet, to be explored with most of them being dark. Of the 12 kilometers of cave systems, a few of the caves are open to visitors and have well-lit ceilings and corridors that highlight the stalactites and stalagmite formations.

Most of the cave is inaccessible to tourists but the accessible parts are lead by local tour guides. The main atrium of the Chiang Dao cave is well lit and safe, however, it is advisable to take a small tour with a guide.

A little further from the caves is a temple that is built into the mountain cavern, surrounded by beautiful green scenery, it is a very small, humble place. This Buddhist temple is accessible from the caves although it is better to drive up to it, as parts of the cave route are restricted.

Wat Tham Pha Plong

Wat Tham Pha Plong is a cave temple that is located in Chiang Dao, atop a mountain. The temple is interesting because the actual shrine is within a cave, but the golden stupa is located in front of it. The temple is built in typical Thai style with a golden stupa and many Thai carvings on its walls.

501 steps that lead up to Wat Tham Pha Plong, they’re not too steep but can become a little tiring. The temple is usually quiet, with hardly any visitors and has a meditation hall near the main shrine for people who like to meditate.

Buddhist Pagoda of King Naresuan

Also along the route, you can visit the Buddhist Pagoda of King Naresuan (a Thai memorial for a great ruler – being dedicated to King Naresuan or Sanphet the Second).

The memorial is very well maintained and is a place of pilgrimage for most Thai locals. Behind the memorial, there are barracks that you can walk through to get a sense of the history behind the memorial and the great king it is dedicated to.

Sri Sang Wan Waterfall

Unknown to travelers, but stunning and wide waterfall with small cooling pools, located in Pha Daeng National Park among tropical flora, is ideal for a picnic. You have to pay a small fee to enter, but it is worth it.

The hot springs nearby and this waterfall are part of the same national park. Thus, by buying one ticket for 100 baht, you can visit both sections several times on the same day. Payment of the vehicle is made additionally.

There are toilets and changing rooms at the hot springs. Hot pools located in the shade of trees look natural and beautiful. The pools have different levels of seating, and the temperature of hot water in them is different. So each visitor can choose for themselves the most suitable option for relaxation.

Some travelers may complain that the water in the hot springs is not very clean. Still, you have to understand that these are natural springs in the forest, not a chlorinated pool in a sports complex in the middle of a bustling city, which is cleaned twice a day. In any case, nature lovers will really enjoy visiting this place.

Did you read our article about the best Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai?

Arunothai Village (Burma border)

The remote village of Arunothai is at the tip of Thailand’s border, north of Chiang Dao and along highway 1322 at the Burmese frontier. It’s a place that everybody should visit, (with your mode of transport – especially a motorcycle) because the drive up to this little village is picturesque and beyond compare.

The village is located about an hour from Doi Ang Khang with the best time to visit during the early hours of the morning. The locals have their morning bazaars before 9 am and is an experience that is worth waiting around for. Many little shops serve exceptional food – a must-try being the Chinese noodle soup and dumplings.

Doi Ang Khang

If you haven’t decided where to go and what attractions to see in Northern Thailand, read our Chiang Mai online travel guide.

Doi Ang Khang, the 15th highest peak in Thailand at approximately 1928 meters, is a breathtaking part of Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. Situated about a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai, this mountain is neighbored by two similarly towering peaks. A haven for bird enthusiasts, the area is teeming with rare avian species, making it a popular destination for tourists each year.

Doi Ang Khang is home to the Lahu and Palaung hill tribes. It’s not unusual to see members of these tribes adorned in their traditional attire, adding a touch of cultural charm to the scenic landscape. The climb on the Thailand side can be quite steep, so for a more comfortable experience, consider using a motorcycle with a manual or semi-automatic transmission. Alternatively, an all-wheel drive car is also a great option for navigating the challenging terrain and reaching the summit to enjoy the spectacular views.

Icy Weather

It can get icy here, with the temperature sometimes dropping below zero. Yeap, this is still Thailand, where the average daily temperature is +30 degrees Celsius.

Plan your trip and outfit in advance so that cold weather doesn’t catch you unawares. In the widget below you can see weather predictions in Doi Ang Khang for the next 4 days.

Things To Do

Sakura (Wild Himalayan Cherry) Blossom

Monson Viewpoint Camping

You can stay overnight in one of the guesthouses, or you can also choose a tent with a beautiful morning view of the boundless sea of fog at Monson Viepoint. You can make your reservation on Ang Khang Monson campground Facebook page (อ่างขางม่อนสน).

Amazing Sunrise

You must remember that the “sunrise” is the time when the sun has already risen above the horizon. Therefore, if you want to see the sun rise over the horizon – you should wake up about 1-1.5 hours earlier. Recommended time for getting out of bed is 4:30 – 5:30 am depending of the seasons (check here), if you are sleeping in a viewpoint camp.

Ban Khop Dong, Musoe hill tribes

If you are interested in the life of the mountain tribes of Thailand, then on Doi Ang Khang you can find the original mountain tribes of Musoe, Karen, and Lahu, as well as visit one of the mountain villages called Ban Khop Dong, the house of Musoe.

Mountain people of the Khop Dong village believe in spirits and ghosts, as well as in magic rituals. The village is lost among the mountain peaks and dirt roads, and it seems that time has stopped here.

Local Market, Cafe and Food

Agriculture and handicrafts markets and cafes are in the open air so if you are cold, then head into the cafe where you can buy something hot to warm up.

Bird watching

Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station and Royal Project

Ang Khang Royal Project started as a way to pacify the summit because at the time the only crop the farmers were growing was opium. The idea behind the project was to provide the farmers with other alternative crops that they could grow in the region.

Doi Ang Khang loop is a route that will take you through the tourist attractions in the Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. The loop is one of the ultimate northern Thailand experiences a traveler can experience and with all the above mentioned attractions, no traveler will be left wondering what to do!

Detour

Fang Hot Spring

The Fang Hot Springs is in the area of Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. The hot springs are amidst forests, mountains, greenery and are as close to nature as you can get. The National Park authorities have developed the area to attract tourists but at the same time manage to keep it as natural as possible. For instance, the pathways around the springs are all made of stone and the use of concrete and modern construction material has been kept to a minimum.

On the way to Doi Ang Khang, we suggest that you take a dip into the pools as the water in the pools is said to contain many vitamins and minerals that do the skin and body the world of good. If you are uncomfortable with the water quality, other mineral water pool options are available too.