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If you enjoy spending time in nature, Doi Inthanon Park is a perfect destination for you in Chiang Mai.
This national park is a top-rated destination for day trips among both locals and tourists. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in this fantastic park, from hiking, watching the waterfalls to having an authentic Thai meal at a local restaurant.
1. What is Doi Inthanon Park
Doi Inthanon Park is one of Thailand’s largest national parks with many precious flora and fauna species.
The word “Doi” in Thai means the mountain. As the name suggested, this wonderful park locates on the famous mount Inthanon. Doi Inthanon, or as the locals call it, “the roof of Thailand” is part of the Himalayas and also the highest peak of Thailand with an impressive height of 2565 meters above sea level. Doi Inthanon National Park covers a vast 482.4 square kilometers, spreading over three districts of Chiang Mai province north.
The weather there is very humid and cold all year round, the perfect destination to hide from the heat of Thailand’s summer.
The mountain used to name Doi Luang but later, it is renamed in honor of king Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai. He realized the importance of the forests in the north of Thailand and wanted to preserve them. After his death, his remains were placed in the park as he ordered and the forest was renamed Doi Inthanon, taking after his name.
Doi Inthanon National Park suggests to tourists a list of joyful and exciting activities, suitable for every gender or age.
2. What to do in Doi Inthanon Park
Admire Wachirathan Waterfall
One of the first places you would want to visit on a day trip to Doi Inthanon Park is the Wachirathan Waterfall.
This magnificent waterfall will slowly appear after about 22km on your way to the top of Doi Inthanon Park. Come closer, you will be amazed by how powerful this magnificent cascade is. This is a wonderful spot to take a picture and share it with friends or family. The water falls from a height of 70 meters so sometimes you can get a little wet from the splashing drops of water. If you come here at a perfect time, when there is sunlight, you can even admire the rainbow at the feet of the waterfall. We can assure you that is a splendid scene that you can’t see every day.
Hike on Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
If the weather is nice and you don’t mind hiking, join the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail. This easy 2 hours hike will take you through a thick forest into a vast space on the mountainside where you can admire a panoramic and unobstructed view of the breathtaking landscape below.
The Kew Mae Pan trail consists of several stunning viewpoints including a waterfall, a beautiful heart-shaped rock formation, and also the view along the ridge. If you are there in the early morning, you might also witness a sea of clouds, which is quite a sight to behold. So prepare your camera, you will want to save these amazing moments to the photos.
The hike is great at any time of day, especially in the late afternoon or in the morning, when the sun starts casting its golden rays across the Doi Inthanon Park.
Visit the Twin Royal Pagodas
The park is also home to some temples just like any other destination or city in Thailand. If you are seeking serenity, stop by the Twin Royal Pagodas.
These two temples are on the main road, about 5 km to the south from the top of the main summit of Doi Inthanon. These two chedis (large towers enshrined holy relics inside) have been built on the edge of the mountain and are surrounded by spectacular gardens.
One of the Twin Royal Pagodas, Naphamethinidon, meaning “by the strength of the land and air” was built in 1987 to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. And the other, Naphaphone Phumi Siri, with the meaning “being the strength of the air and the grace of the land” was built in 1992 to honor the 60th birthday anniversary of Queen Sirikit.
Compare to the traditional temples in other parts of Thailand, the Twin Royal Pagodas in Doi Inthanon Park are younger, their architecture is also more modern but that can’t make these two temples less wonderful. The attractive appearance, the magnificent surrounding view, and the meaning behind these temples are undeniable.
Stand at Thailand’s highest point
As we mentioned before, Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and this National Park also includes the mountain peak. If interested, visitors can pay some of their time climbing up and checking in at Thailand’s highest point.
At the end of the road through the Doi Inthanon National Park, you will arrive at a military radar station where you can find parking and continue to the highest point in Thailand. After walking for about 50 meters more, you are 2565 meters above sea level and at the highest point that the Land of Smiles has to offer. There, you will find a large sign saying that you are in the highest spot in Thailand. You can take a selfie with the sign to mark this special achievement.
3. Visitor pieces of advice
Due to the distances between the attractions, visitors need a car or bike to move around the park. You can try walking along the main road but it will be quite far, so we don’t recommend this decision except when you have the ability and stamina to walk.
The park is generally much busier during the weekends and fewer people visit the park during the weekdays.
Be noticed that the weather in Doi Inthanon Park isn’t the same as in Thailand. So you might want to bring with you a jacket
4. Tickets and other practicalities
Entrance fees of Doi Inthanon National Park
For foreigners:
300 Baht for adults
150 Baht for children from 3 to 14 years old.
For Thai citizens:
60 Baht for adults
30 Baht for children.
Cars will be charged 30 Baht and bikes 20 Baht.
Opening hours:
From 5:30 am to 6:30 pm every day, all year round.
The main trail of the park – Kew Mae Pan Trail – is closed from June to October for annual forest recovery reasons.
The Twin Royale Pagodas are the only attraction inside the Doi Inthanon National Park that is not managed by the park, so an additional 100 Baht per person entrance fee is required if you want to visit them.
For more infomation, visit Thai National Parks – Doi Inthanon.
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