The cave in Chiang Dao was not as big as I expected. More precisely, the cave may be big, but you only see a small part of it, if you go with a guide. Without it, you can also walk, but at your own risk, and ideally at least have a card, because I saw all sorts of different branches, really confused. On the other hand, why this is necessary, because you can get an idea, and so on stalactites look in the beaten places. But I am not a caver and not too big lover of the caves, that’s why it’s enough for me standard route.
The content of the article
- 1 Temple territory
- 2 Chiang Dao Cave – Chiang Dao Cave
- 3 Information to visit
- 4 On the map
Temple territory
The cave is located near the temple of Wat Chiang Dao. Territories small but pretty pretty sure to be like take a look. Behind the modern temple in the style of “Gzhel” stick two stupas and there are several Buddha statues in the niches among the stones and the jungle. These are probably the remains of an old temple. Looks interesting, straight piece the lost world.
The road from the highway to Chiang Dao is very beautiful
One can see the mountain of Chiang Dao
Modern temple in the style of Gzhel
Gzhel inside too
Remains of an old temple
Mossy stones, dried tree—
Monk in his battered house
The territory of the temple Chiang Dao
Buddha lost in the stones
Funny people spinning the wheel
Toilet for lamers — What did they mean?
On the territory of a small museum
Near the cave entrance there is a pond with crystal clear blue water This is rarely seen, usually the ponds in the temples are muddy and dirty. But here the mountains and the water flows from the mountains, flowing. Naturally, There are well-fed catfish in the pond, which can be fed.
Pond with emerald water
Pond with emerald water and sky reflection
Fatty soma
Chiang Dao Cave – Chiang Dao Cave
The cave is one, but there are many halls in it (Lablae cave, Crystal cave, Reclining Buddha cave). Some of them are lit, some are not. Accordingly, the lighted part can be easily passed. independently, the more it is dead-end, back and forth. Well, more precisely, not a dead end, the move goes further, just the light ends in the hall with the reclining Buddha. To save you can on this and finish and do not take a guide, because I will not say that the straight is not illuminated part some kind of special.
Chiang Dao Cave Map
Entrance to Chiang Dao Cave
The sun breaks through the cracks in the ceiling
Pioneers carry a bell somewhere
The first hall with guides and lamps
Left to go – you will find an elephant, to the right you will go – Buddha will meet
Kerosene lamp God forbid!
The guide takes you about 30 minutes and it depends on how for a long time you will be stuck at one or another stalactite, trying it to photograph. That is, in 15 minutes you can go, there is absolutely small distance. There are no difficult places on this route, crawl it is not necessary anywhere, the maximum is to go through on the haunches, that is, not get dirty And still warm clothes do not need, this is some “Wrong” cave, in it a little cooler than on the street. And then I I used to, which is usually about 4-10 degrees inside. Besides kerosene (the guide with the lamp goes) heats well too, straight the stove is real. Next to the guide, if you go, you will be all wet.
Small halls are replaced by large
Narrow lazy too, but not complicated
We meet on the road a group of other tourists
At the end of the way, an altar filled with toys
Illuminated Cave
Near every lamp is a riot of life
On the way there are stalactites.
Buddha remains on the sidelines
The last lit area and here the hall with the Buddhas
Gifts to Buddha from Visitors
Pitch black, long exposure on the camera and flashlight
By the way, almost all the formations on the walls (nodules and stalactites) have names associated with elephants, or guides in other words not they know whether the discoverer’s fantasy was not very rich.
Some kind of elephant, although it may be this particular and not the elephant, something well, not at all like
Floods on the wall with an elephant name
Information to visit
The entrance to the cave is 40 baht. Guide service 100 baht, kerosene lamp 100 baht, a total of 200 baht per guide is obtained.
Is it possible to take a kerosene without a guide, or a guide without a kerosene, not I know. But kerosene is really useful thing, lights be healthy. Have I had a very good headlamp with me, so it’s just zilch compared to this lamp. Basically 200 baht a bit, especially if divided by 2-3 people.
Guides are sitting inside, not outside, as you pass to the first hall, there literally 50 meters from the entrance. So on the street they do not need to look, as I originally tried.
And if you suddenly decide to spend the night, you can stop, as in Chiang Dao itself near the cave, and on the highway, for example, around Fanga. I spent the night in Chiang Dao, here in the bungalow hotel Chaing Dao Hut (here is my review), it is inexpensive and very simple. If needed something better, consider the Chiang Dao Roundhouses, it’s quite near the cave. In it, by the way, quite interesting bungalows, look at the pictures. Or, Baan Din Chiang Dao, it looks like the previous one, but far away.
Hotels in Chiang Dao →
I recommend to book hotels in advance. I decided to check in a day arrival, what else is available in the district, and a lot was already booked. Honestly, I was surprised, did not know what the place is popular. Finding hotels is easiest through RoomGuru, it will show hotels from all reservation systems, but it often happens that this or another hotel is only in Agoda, or only in Bucking, and prices are different.
On the map
Getting to your own transport is not difficult. Ride from Chiang Mai literally an hour and a half, a distance of about 70 km. Quite real for one day to meet (back and forth) and there is still time left. how option, after the cave go a little further to the hot springs in Fang.
A visit to the cave and the territory takes about 2 hours, but you can 30 minutes to run around, so if you go in the morning, then sources can have time to capture.
Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance
Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.
Insurance Rating
Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.
Discount hotels
