Pha Daeng National Park ‘Let’s explore Pha Daeng Cave and Long Cave.’

Sunrise in the morning. Sunset in the evening. Foggy field all around you. These are something that you’re gonna love for sure. 

In fact, these are something that you can touch them by yourself at Pha Daeng National Park.

Of course, Pha Daeng National Park is a national Patk in Chiangmai. It’s very enormous, due to its over-1,000-square-kilometred area. Mostly, it consists of high mountains, for instances, Doi Tham Klab, Doi Hua To, Doi Pha Daeng, Doi Dan Fak etc. However, the highest peak is Doi Kham Fah, which is about 1,834 metres higher than the medium sea level.

On top of that, Pha Daeng National Park is also the river source of Ping River.  All natural environments are in complete state, really. There are many types of living things. Starting with the forests, there are mixed forest, pine tree forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest etc. You can find a lot of beautiful and interesting plants, for instances, bamboo, orchid, tamarind etc. For animals, there are many species too, deer, porcupine, monkey, squirrel, bird, etc.

To go to Pha Daeng National Park, you shouldn’t dress in sexy clothes or something short. On the contrary, you should dress in sporty-looking clothes, at least a jacket, a pair of sport shoes, a pair of trousers, or something like that. Remember, the air around Pha Dang national park is quite cool, about 20-25 degree Celcius in the average. But, during winter, the temperature can de dropped to 8-15 degree Celcius. Oh, you’re not hearing it wrong! Therefore, let’s repeat again that you should dress in anything that make you feel comfortable and warm. Not just to prevent you from a cold or a fever, but dressing like that will also let you do many activities, for instances, going hiking, walking along a waterfall, conveniently.

Talking about activities, the activities you can do at Pha Daeng are exploring the caves and waterfalls, bathing in a mineral pond, and going hiking. Here are some suggested minor tourist attractions within the area, which you can go and do these activities.

1. Sri Sangwan Waterfall : This is a medium-sized limestone waterfall. It’s about 10-15 metres high and 10-12 metres wide. There are total 3 stories of it. You can have a picnic or a sightseeing there. But, always keep the area clean, remember that.
2. Khun Nam Roo : This river source of Ping River is in fact a small stream floating from a mountain. It’s believed by villagers that Khun Nam Roo is a holy place. Therefore a sacrificing ritual and a wood-ordaining ritual are annually held before the farming season.
3. Yod Doi Tuai Sighseeing Spot : This one is located on the north side of the national park. This is the river source of the brook of Ping River, which is called ‘Khun Ping’. You will want to take a camera with you. Also, don’t forget a jacket or a scarf, because the air is cool.
4. Doi Kham Fah : This is, as you’ve been told, the highest mountain peak of Pha Daeng National Park, with about 1,834-metred height. This is a perfect spot for setting up a camp. Your dream of seeing fog and sunrise in the morning will come true. Or, you can also admire the beauty of the pine forest.
5. Klab Cave : This cave is about 10 metres wide. There are a lot of bats inside, beside of big and small stalactites.
6. Doi Klang Muang Cave : This is a big cave. It’s about 1 kilometres deep. The entrance is a high cliff, so be careful if you want to go inside. Pay attention to every single step of yours, or you will trip over and hurt yourself.
7. Lom Cave : The word ‘lom’ means ‘wind’ in English. You may wonder what ‘wind’ have to do with this cave. The answer is already in the name. That’s right. When you walk inside the cave, there will be a light wind blowing, which make you feel fresh and comfortable.
8. Pa Tong Waterfall : This waterfall is hidden inside a wood. Its beauty is unique, because the waterfall was originated from Khun Mae Ngai Waterway. There are a bunch of trees around the area. In fact, the forest at Pa Tong is a tropical rain forest.
9. Pong Ang Hot Springs : Here is where you can bath yourself in a mineral pond. It’s small but comfortable. The water there is about 70-80 degree Celcius.

In case you want to spend the nights, you can contact the rangers via 053-317498, 053261446, or phadang_np@hotmail.com, in order to ask for more details and book a shelter. There are many types of shelters at Pha Daeng National Park with various sizes of rooms. Just choose any one that fits you and your traveling friends. The price starts from 600 Baht to 2,500 Baht. 

Or, you can set up a camp at the available spots. This is good if you want to get close to nature.

How to get there

Pha Daeng National Park is located in Chiang Dao County, Chiang Mai. 

To get there, you should first start your trip in Chiang Mai downtown. Just follow the Highway No.107(Chiang Mai-Fang). Pass Chiang Dao County until you reach the 79th kilometres, then you turn left into the Highway No.1178(The head of Muang Ngai junction) and keep driving fro another 24 kilometres. Finally, before you see Ban Na Wai, you turn left again for about 159 metres. Lastly, you will reach the headquarter of Pha Daeng National Park.