I’ve said this so many times and I’ll say it again … Chiang Dao is a hidden gem of northern Thailand. I’ve been to Chiang Dao three times and I always leave rejuvenated and in touch with nature. There are so many things to do in Chiang Dao! The rice fields, the hot springs, the mountain views, the forests — Chiang Dao is the home of a fairy family I swear lol. True jungle vibes.
Only a 1 hour drive north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao is well-worth it for a few days exploration. But, what can you do there when you arrive? You may feel like there’s nothing to do, and of course you can always just vibe in a hammock in a rice field the whole time, but I’ve found many worthwhile (AND FREE) things to do.
Most of these things are from my unabashed exploration, which you should do too! Use my guide as a baseline and make your own adventures on the way. See a cool temple and want to stop? DO IT! Find a tiny motorbike path that leads to a beautiful creek? STOP THERE! Chiang Dao is the best because hidden in every crevice and crack are beautiful adventures.
Check out my Chiang Dao guide for recommendations on accommodation, best restaurants, and how to get there. I also talk about hippie festivals hosted in Chiang Dao! But this post is specifically about cool things to do in Chiang Dao. So, let’s get started!
5 greatest things to do in Chiang Dao
1. Drive, drive, drive
Of course, you must DRIVE. I highly highly highly recommend either driving a motorbike to Chiang Dao, or renting one there (though this may be a little difficult if it’s not high season). For reference, high season is November – February.
Chiang Dao is the best place for a beginner motorbike driver — the roads are mostly empty, and the views are epic. You have 360 angles of mountaintops that feel SO CLOSE to you. The roads are so fun to drive, and you can go slow if needed. Here is a pinpoint location of roads that are the best to drive on that I found randomly while exploring.
The rice fields are best during or after rainy season. Rainy season runs July-October, so consider going then to get the most luscious views of rice fields and dense jungle!
2. Doi Lhung Chiang Dao National Park
Once you feel a bit more comfortable on the roads, drive 1 hour to the Doi Lhung Chiang Dao Viewpoint (through the National Park – there will be an entrance fee of 300 baht to be paid in cash). The roads leading to the viewpoint are winding and beautiful. When I’m driving on roads like these I get into a zen headspace, admiring the forests and mountains ahead of me. It is so relaxing and centering.
The viewpoint is absolutely stunning — bring a journal and headphones, or a canvas and paints. Sit here and be creative. The views and atmosphere get the creative juices flowing. Thailand, especially Chiang Dao, bring that out of you.
3. Hang with the locals at the hot springs
Hang with the locals at the Chiang Dao Hot Springs. It’s free, and the space is charged with positive energy. Remember I said that Chiang Dao is a fairy forest? Yeah, this is where you’ll see it.
Go early and bathe in the hot springs with the locals. Afterward, lie in the cool creek. It’s a spiritual experience, trust me!
4. Enjoy the coffee culture
Northern Thailand is famous for delicious coffee and hip coffee shops. Chiang Dao has some of the cutest, most relaxing coffee shops in all of Thailand! There’s usually only locals there, and it’s meant as a peaceful oasis where you can sip and read, or rest.
Hidden gem: My favorite coffee shop in Chiang Dao is called Hippocampus. It’s on a farmstead down a dirt road. The vibes are immaculate. Go here to spend an afternoon sipping and loving your life.
5. Do a jungle trek with a local guide
Go on a mountain jungle trek with local guides to an even tinier village in the National Park. My mom and I went on a half-day trek with the woman who owns The Cave Bar. Go to her and see if she’ll take you, it’s ~1.5 hours from Chiang Dao but she provided transport and a guide. She asks a local Thai man to help pave the path with his machete lol. It was hilarious because he showed up to do this crazy hike in FLIP FLOPS. We were laughing so hard, and he was so nice!
We were in the middle of NOWHERE in the mountainous forests –it’s definitely an immersive and authentic experience! We explored a stunning waterfall and trekked through incredibly rough terrain, literally in the middle of the jungle. Who knows what snakes and other creatures we were walking through but thankfully nothing popped out at us!
See, there are fun things to do in Chiang Dao!
Get your butt to Chiang Dao if you’re in northern Thailand! It’s magical, and not crowded. But shhhhhh, don’t let it get too popular!
xx Gracie
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