Chiang Dao Cave

Though only about a 40-minute bus ride away from the center of Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao feels as though it is worlds away. A rural mountain village, Chiang Dao’s draw is its natural beauty and relaxing pace of life. Here, time seems to slow down and if you spend the night you’re sure to be early to bed and early to rise with the natural rhythm of the moon and sun. The region’s most impressive attraction, the Chiang Dao Cave, can be visited during an overnight stay or a day trip. Deep underneath the third largest mountain in Thailand, the Chiang Dao Cave is a complex system of four caverns that’s thought to go on for nearly 15 kilometers. Visitors can explore the first section, which is electronically lit, on their own but are required to pay for a guide to visit the others. The cave may not be the most unique or intricate compared to others in the country, but its imposing size is undeniable. Along with a number of striking stalactites, you will also notice several religious shrines, a common sight in Thailand’s caves thought to be auspicious places for meditation, and a temple at the cave’s entrance.