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Everything You Need to Know about Chiang Dao Cave
- Things to Know
- Where is Chiang Dao Cave?
- How to Get to Chiang Dao Cave
- What to See and Do in Chiang Dao Cave
- Stroll around Wat Tham Chiang Dao
- Enter Tham Seua Dao
- Head to Tham Phranon
- Pay for a local guide to take you deeper into the cave system
- Capture stunning photos of the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
- The Cave Bar
- Jin’s
- Chai Cafe
- Where to Shop in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
- Chiang Dao Market
- Lotus’s Go Fresh Chiang Dao
- Eleven Chiang Dao
- Where to Stay in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
- Chiang Dao Nest 2
- Chiang Dao Hut Resort
- Ashi Guesthouse Chiangdao
- FAQs about Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao Cave, a cultural treasure and natural gem in Chiang Mai, is the stuff of legends. It’s a vast cave system (12 km long) boasting hundreds of caverns with unique rock formations and shrines filled with Buddha images and religious relics.
The cave’s illuminated and dark chambers offer a perfect balance of allure and challenge, so it’s equally attractive to casual travelers and serious spelunkers. However, err on the side of caution and hiring a guide through the cave is wise.
Chiang Dao Cave’s blend of natural beauty and rich Thai tradition and culture certainly makes it a must-visit. It is another major factor that makes the charm of Chiang Mai’s tourism more and more irresistible every day.
Things to Know
Phone: +66 53 455 855
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs:
- 40 baht (Adults)
- 20 baht (Kids)
Where is Chiang Dao Cave?
Chiang Dao Cave is at the east end of Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary. Its entrance is along Doi Luang Chiang Dao’s foothills and Wat Tham Chiang Dao’s temple complex.
How to Get to Chiang Dao Cave
Taxi: You can start your journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao Cave via taxi. This is highly recommended if you’re in a group as that allows you to save a ton.
Ride an airport taxi to Wat Tham Chiang Dao because the cave’s entrance is inside this temple’s complex. You can also stop the metered vehicle at Chiang Dao District and ride a tuk-tuk to the cave.
Taking a taxi directly to the cave from Chiang Mai is cheaper and will set you back around 1800 baht. However, this takes 10 to 12 hours, so it’s not ideal if you’re vacationing for a few days.
Bus: You can catch a bus to Chiang Dao District from Chiang Mai. There, you can pay for a taxi or tuk-tuk to take you to the cave’s entrance in Wat Tham Chiang Dao.
If you’re short on time, this is your fastest option. As such, this only takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Rental Car: You can also self-drive a rental car to Chiang Dao Cave from Chiang Mai City if you have an International Driving Permit. From Chiang Mai, head towards Highway 107 to reach Chiang Dao District.
Afterward, turn left to Highway 3024 and turn left again once you see the brown concrete signage pointing to Chiang Dao Cave. This unnamed road leads to Wat Tham Chiang Dao where you’ll find the cave’s entrance.
A rental car could cost you 900 baht, excluding fuel costs. On the other hand, you need about 250 baht to rent a motorbike.
What to See and Do in Chiang Dao Cave
Stroll around Wat Tham Chiang Dao
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The entrance to Chiang Dao Cave is within Wat Tham Chiang Dao, so it’s definitely worth exploring because it’s one of the most important temples in the district. It’s also an active temple, so expect to find Buddhist monks performing rituals and ceremonies.
In fact, many local devotees frequent this place to pray and pay their respects as well. But the temple’s biggest draw is its stunning cave setting with numerous Buddha images and shrines tucked within the Chiang Dao Cave system.
This complex also has colorful gardens, gilded temple structures, and a calm turquoise lake, so it’s great for pleasant strolls and sightseeing. If you like to take many pictures, you can also find numerous Instagrammable spots within the temple grounds.
Enter Tham Seua Dao
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Tham Seua Dao is one of the caves in the Chiang Dao Cave system that are open to the public. It’s nearest to the entrance and the guide station so expect plenty of LED lights inside its wide chamber, perfect for tourists who enjoy self-exploration.
This 540-meter cave has a shrine with several golden Buddha images, so many local visitors pray here as well. Its large and bright chamber is also great for tourists who like observing rock formations because you see the stalactites and stalagmites more clearly.
If you’re traveling on a budget, we suggest sticking to this cave since it doesn’t require a local guide.
Head to Tham Phranon
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Tham Phranon, also known as the cave of the reclining Buddha, is the main cavern in the Chiang Dao Cave system. This 360-meter cave is filled with shrines holding numerous statues and Buddha images, so most visiting devotees stay here to pray.
These statues and images date back to the 17th century during the Burmese invasion, so they’re also some of the oldest religious relics in Chiang Dao. This cave is also fully illuminated so you can self-explore its caverns or chambers without a local guide.
Its most popular cavern is called Jong Plaeng, which enshrines a unique reclining Buddha image with Burmese engravings. This image is known as Phra Phuttachao Kassapa and it lies on its back, unlike most reclining images lying on the side.
Pay for a local guide to take you deeper into the cave system
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If you want to make the most of your trip to Chiang Dao Cave, you must pay for a local guide to explore the deeper and darker caverns. This includes Tham Maa, Tham Kaew, and Tham Naam.
These parts of the cave system don’t have LED lights, so your guide will provide a gas lamp as your light source. They’re also more challenging to traverse because there are narrow corridors that you’ll need to crawl on your knees to get through.
Going through all three caverns takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, so be sure to wear proper hiking boots and bring enough water to keep hydrated while exploring. There will be bats as well, so wear a hat for protection against their droppings.
Capture stunning photos of the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites
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A spelunking trip in Chiang Dao Cave won’t be complete without snagging stunning photos of its unique stalagmites and stalactites. In fact, one of its most popular rock formations resembles a reclining Buddha, so that’s definitely worth taking a photo of.
The Buddha images and artifacts in the cave’s shrine are also great subjects for cultural and historical photos. Also, if you want to photograph the stalagmites and stalactites in the deeper caverns, don’t forget to bring a powerful flashlight.
You won’t have a good view of the higher cave ceilings if you only stick with the provided gas lamp.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
The Cave Bar
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Address: 273, Ban Tham, 3, Moo 5, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 81 892 0531
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for drinks
Website
The Cave Bar is a popular pub with a dimly-lit bohemian-style interior. It’s a place tourists visit to drink and have fun, so expect lively music, bar games, and a wide range of reasonably priced drinks.
This includes local and imported beers, cocktails, wines, spirits, and more. We also like their diverse selection of Thai and Western food, from pies to salads, local delicacies, and homemade ice creams.
They also sell recreational cannabis products and local Thai cigars. This pub is also a convenient option location-wise because it’s only 2 minutes away from the entrance to Chiang Dao Cave.
Jin’s
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Address: 384, Moo 5, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 86 917 3479
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours:
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Wednesday, Friday)
- 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Italian food, drinks
Website
Jin’s is arguably the best Italian food place near Chiang Dao Cave. Their best-seller is their signature custom pizza which lets you choose your preferred toppings, like ham, prawns, tuna, and more.
They have over 20 topping options so you can try various combinations!
Chai Cafe
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Address: Ban Tham, Moo 5, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 81 027 3519
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Wednesday – Monday)
Good to know: Good for breakfast
Website
Chai Cafe is a convenient breakfast and brunch spot near Chiang Dao Cave. It’s only 550 meters away so it’s a great place to get your daily caffeine fix or a filling Thai or English breakfast before exploring the iconic cave system.
The cafe has a casual open-air setting and lush garden view, perfect if you’re looking for a more relaxed dining experience. Don’t forget to try their specialty cafe latte that’s made from local beans!
Where to Shop in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao Market
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Address: Soi 19, Moo 6, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 90 550 9592
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 3 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs, fresh produce
Chiang Dao Market is a local morning market filled with numerous shops offering produce, clothes and accessories, and snacks.
These shops also sell at local prices, so it’s worth the 11-minute drive from Chiang Dao Cave. If you’re buying souvenirs, you can also haggle with the vendors to get a better deal, especially if you’re buying from them in bulk.
Lotus’s Go Fresh Chiang Dao
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Address: 493, 12, Chiang Dao District
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for groceries
Website
Lotus’s Go Fresh is a mini supermarket chain that operates like a convenience store, so you can swing by to shop at any time of the day.
They sell a variety of items, including the usual grocery finds, plus a wide array of local and imported snacks. Keep an eye out for their separate racks for items on sale!
7-Eleven Chiang Dao
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Address: Moo 6, Chiang Dao-Fang Road
Phone: +66 91 001 1988
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for essentials
Website
There are three branches of 7-Eleven in Chiang Dao, but this branch next to Toothmate Dental Clinic is the nearest one to the cave’s entrance.
This place is a convenient spot for a quick supply run since it has the usual essentials. Think cold drinks, snacks, batteries, sunscreen and more.
Just note that the prices here are more expensive than grocery stores or local markets.
Where to Stay in and Near Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao Nest 2
Address: 273, 11 Ban Tham, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 53 456 611
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers
Website
Chiang Dao Nest 2 is a popular resort near Chiang Dao Cave. It has a relaxing garden that offers plenty of walking space and a breathtaking view of the surrounding lush hills and rock mountains.
There are also numerous outdoor chairs so you can hang out during the day or gather around a bonfire at night with your companions.
What’s notable are their cozy rustic bungalows with traditional woven bamboo walls and ceilings. These bungalows are spacious, so expect a separate living room with a sofa and table, an en-suite bathroom, and up to two bedrooms.
Chiang Dao Hut Resort
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Address: 303, Moo 5, Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 53 456 625
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for backpackers
Website
Chiang Dao Hut Resort is a budget-friendly option that’s only a 2-minute drive from Chiang Dao Cave. With this, you can also get there on foot, perfect if you plan to sightsee around the neighborhood.
They also have a vast garden with a stunning view of the Doi Luang Chiang Dao and its lush foothills. If you like photography, you’ll also love the photo spots in their garden, from the cartoony statues to the colorful flowerbeds and wooden pergolas.
Ashi Guesthouse Chiangdao
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Address: 394, Moo 5 Chiang Dao District
Phone: +66 98 828 9528
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:59 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website
Ashi Guesthouse Chiangdao offers private bungalows and spacious dorm-style houses, so you can choose between an exclusive and a communal space.
Their dorm-style accommodation has bunk beds, which is perfect for a group. They also have a small camping area with LED lights and tents in case you enjoy stargazing or like to sleep outdoors.
But the highlight here is the Japanese hot pot dinner set which is great if you enjoy outdoor cookouts. You can have it in their restaurant’s lovely terrace dining area as well.
