Khun Khan National Park ‘Waterfall, camping, cave, all in one place’

Getting into the middle of nature is good. You will have a chance of relaxing your stress. Even nice nature is hard to find nowadays, but there are still some tourist attractions called national parks, which you should go most. 

National parks are wood and mountain areas. They consist of water sources sometimes. They are conservative places, full of flawless natural and fresh air

Khun Khan National Park is one of those. It is a national Park in Chiangmai, with about 397-square kilometred area. It mainly consist of high mountains. Those mountains are about 500-1,708 metres higher than the sea level. Doi Pung Kia is the highest one. It’s also the river source of Mae Khan River and Mae Jam River, which both flow into Ping River.

Many forest areas are found at Khun Khan too. There are many kinds of forests there, for instances, mountain pine forest, mountain evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp forest etc. There are also various plants and wild animals. Therefore you must keep the area clean and tidy. Don’t drop trash on the ground. Don’t destroy the trees. Don’t tease the animals. Don’t ruin the sight of beautiful nature.

About the climate, the climate at Khun Khan is cold all year round. The highest temperature is 28 degree Celcius. The lowest temperature is 18 degree Celcius. The average temperature is 23 degree Celcius. If you want to go, you may want a jacket, a pair of gloved, a scarf, and a pair of sports shoes. Because if you dress in light thin clothes, you may get a fever or a cold later.

Still, there are many activites and minor tourist attractions within the national park. You can stay there as long as you want, if you have enough budget, of course. But you’re gonna love it anyway. You will fall in love with gorgeous natural scenery so much that you think the national park is your second home.

What are the activities and tourist attractions? For instances…

1. Mae Jam Forest : This is a sightseeing spot. It is located on both side of Samoeng-Wat Chan Road, just between the 36th and 55th kilometre. Take your camera with you and have fun. Take the photos of green trees as much as possible.
2. Luang Mae Sab Cave : If you have never been in any cave before, then let’s try this one. It is a medium-sized cave, about 150 metres deep. Inside the cave, you will find sparkling stalactites.
3. Huai That Waterfall : It may not be very big, but it’s beautiful. Its height is about 10-30 metres. The water flow all year round. You can go hiking within the wood area nearby. Or you can go sightseeing.
4. Pha Sam Nha : This is a high cliff, about 1,253 metres high. There are total 3 sides of it, which makes it’s called ‘Pha Sam Nha’. (**Pha = in English means cliff , Sam = in English means three, Nha = in English means side) You can set a camp up there, but don’t forget to contact the rangers first.

In case you want to spend the nights, you can visit the website www.dnp.go.th , which is the website of Department of National Park. You can look for more details and book a shelther for yourself.

Or, if you don’t want to stay indoor, you can set up your own camp. There are some camping spots within Khun Khan. You can take your own tent or rent one from the rangers. There are restrooms and bathrooms around, don’t worry. In fact, if you want to stay close to nature, setting a camp outdoor is the most suitable choice for you. You know, you sleep in the middle of grass and trees. In the morning, after you wake up, you will immediately see the sunrise as soon as you pull the zip of the tent down.

How to get there

 Khun Khan National Parl is located in Samoen district, Chiang Mai. 

There are two separated routes for you to go.

The first route is to start your trip from Chiangmai downtown. Just follow the Highway No.107(Chiangmai-Fang) for about 10 kilometres until you reach Mae Rim County. Then, after you find a junction, you turn left into the Highway No.1096(Mae Rim-Samoeng) for another 35 kilometres. Be patient, your destination is approaching. Not so long, you will see Mae Samoung County Office. From that point, you have to follow the R.P.CH. Road(Samoeng-Ban Wat Chan). Finally, you will find the office of Khun Khan National Park. 

The second route is to take the Highway No.108(Chiang Mai-Mae Sariang) for about 10 kilometres. Before you reach Hang Dong County, you have to turn right into the Highway No.1296 and keep going for about 48 kilometres. Soon you will reach Samoeng County Office. Keep going along the R.P.CH. Road(Samoeng-Ban Wat Chan). Finally, you will find the office of Khun Khan National Park.