Doi Chiang Down
Doi Chiang Down and Doi Chiang Down Wildlife Conservation Centre are located in Chiang Down District, Chiang Mai. Its inverted coneshaped limestone mountain attracts scores of visitors year after year. Permission is required from the National Park Office, which, for the sake of safety and conservation, has also set stringent regulations. Doi Chiang Down's steep, jagged hills will test the strength, patience and determination of even the most seasoned trekkers. On its peak, visitors will witness the magnificent sea of mist descending on Chiang Doi District, Doi Sam Phe Nong and far away Doi Inthanon, well-worth the arduous climb. Additionally, Chiang Down Cave presents an equally demanding challenge to reach its furthest depths.
How to get there
From Chiang Mai, follow the Chiang Mai-Fang route on Highway 107 for a total distance of 77 kilometres to Chiang Down Cave. From there, take the Mae Na-Den Ya Khat route to Mae Na Village at km 7 1 - 7 2. Here, turn left to Pang Hong Village, Pang Hang, Dan Pi Tak, Ban San Pah Kiak Forest, and the intersection to Den Ya Khat, where the four hour hike to Doi Chiang begins.
Where to stay - Where to eat
Tents and campsites are available inside the park. For more information, please contact the National Park Office, or the Royal Forestry Department, tel. 579-4842. Many luxurious hotels are located in town along Mool Muang Road, Chang Klan Road, Huay Kaew Road, Kamphang Din Road, Mahidol Road, Chiang Mai-Lampang Road and Ratchdamnoen Road. Additionally, a good selection of mid-range hotels are available throughout the town. Chiang Mai is home to several good restaurants with an abundance of tantalising selections, from the chicken rice and satay pork of Khu Muang District, to the papaya salad at Sam Kasat Monument on Rachavidhee Road. Great curry with rice can be found near Phra Singh Temple, and a variety of local foods are offered at Pen Restaurant on Racthamakha Road. Try the noodles and meat balls prepared in the many noodle shops along Suthep Road, or Sri Ping sweet and sour noodle shop on Suthep road. Pun Suay Dok porridge is served in the vegetarian restaurants on Oom Muang Road, seafood porridge in front of the Bangkok Bank on Kaew Nawarat Road, and steamed Thai dumpling with crushed peanuts and Meng Rai Thai sausage at Meng Rai Memorial. Even McCormick's Hospital's stirred fried noodles with gravy puts most hospital food to shame.
Souvenirs
With so much to choose from, it's best to make a list of what you want to buy and where you can buy it before heading out. Naturallycoloured woven cotton is available in Hod District, Mae Jam District, and Jorn Thong District. Aunty Saengda Bunsit's famous woven cotton cloth has put Rai Pai Nguarn village, in Jorn Thong District, on the map. For high quality silk, visit the silk shops in San Kamphang or along Chiang Mai-San Kamphang Road. Clay pottery is crafted in Mhuangtung village on Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road. For local treats, such as pork rinds, Thai sausage, and fruit, try Varoros and Anusarl Markets, where local cloth and a range of hilltribe crafts are also available.
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