In this article you'll find a description of Ko Tarutao, one of Thailand's many hidden paradises, often overlooked by mainstream tourism.

Ko Tarutao, a lost paradise

In this article you will find good ideas for trekking in the mountains of northern Thailand.

The northern mountains, a paradise for trekkers

In this article you will find a description of Bangkok, the gigantic capital of the country and even of the continent.

Bangkok, the capital of a continent

The Khong Chiam region is still largely unaffected by tourism and, for those willing to explore it, offers spectacular scenery and the promise of peaceful days spent well away from the noise and chaos of the urban environment. With its waterfalls, cliffs and rock paintings, Pha Taem is the kind of place you simply never tire of exploring.

The magic of Pha Taem, north of Khong Chiam

Damnoen Saduak is a floating market that unfortunately has become too touristy and is no longer authentic.

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Damnoen Saduak

Kanchanaburi, in the west of the country, is a beautiful region visited mainly for the bridge on the River Kwai and for the national parks in the area.

Kanchanaburi

Situated to the east of Bangkok, Erawan is a national park that is best known for its turquoise blue waterfalls.

Erawan

Bang Pa In is a small village south of Ayutthaya Historical Park, mainly known and visited because of the royal summer palace located there.

Bang Pa In

A magical, mystical trip down into the bowels of the earth.

Chiang Dao

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I went on a three-day scooter tour of the Golden Triangle region, departing from Chiang Mai. I hadn't planned to stop at Chiang Dao, and visiting there was a nicely surprising experience. I had trouble finding accommodation in town, but the locals came to my aid. The big surprise was the morning market, where people from the different ethnic groups of the area north of Chiang Dao (the Hmong, Lahu and Akha) all come together. It's colorful and very interesting, even if the people don't smile much! You mustn't miss visiting the cave, which is located amid temples and mountains permanently shrouded in mist. It was wonderful! And the tour, despite the guide's broken English, is very instructive. You need to be a bit of an acrobat to get down into the cave's depths and properly keep up with the guide's lamp! The little added bonus: the very natural, countryside character of the region, which stands in contrast to the tourism and hustle and bustle of Thailand's south. The minor drawback: you have to pay for everything at the cave, i.e. the parking, the entrance, the tour, and even an electricity tax!

The cave and mountains of Chiang Dao, located 80 kilometers north of Chiang Mai in the middle of the Golden Triangle, make it a wonderful off-the-beaten-track place to visit and explore!

After descending a series of steps, you arrive at the cave of Chiang Dao, a kind of underground gallery in the mountain. As you proceed on the walk, there are numerous statues and mini-temples to discover. I wouldn't have been able to understood much about them without a guide, though they're still interesting to see anyway. The further you descend into the cave, the heavier and damper the air becomes. This continues right up to the part you can only visit with a guide and a lantern. I'll leave you to explore the rest for yourself; I didn't venture any further! The area around the cave, cool and fresh beneath the trees, is nice to visit. Chiang Dao Cave is <a href="/thailand/">definitely a place to go and see in this region of Thailand</a> . Plan to take half a day for the tour, then go for an elephant-back ride at one of the numerous centers located nearby.

A magical, mystical trip down into the bowels of the earth.

Chiang Dao Vacations

Chiang Dao: How to get there?

Chiang Dao: See when to go ?

Chiang Dao: For how long?

Chiang Dao: What to see nearby?

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