Kalayaniwattana District, Chiang Mai Province, is the 878th district of Thailand. It was originally part of Mae Chaem District. Later, three sub-districts, Ban Chan, Chaem Luang, and Mae Daed, were separated to form the present-day Kalayaniwattana District. ... That's enough general information for now, haha. From now on, I'll refer to this district as "Wat Chan".

There are two ways to get to Wat Chan this month:

1. From Chiang Mai, take the Chiang Mai-Pai route. Approximately 13 kilometers before reaching Pai, there will be a large, well-signposted intersection on the left leading to Wat Chan. This intersection also serves as a checkpoint (although checks are infrequent). Unless you are asleep, you will undoubtedly notice it. The 42-kilometer ascent from the intersection takes approximately one hour. The road is paved throughout, with occasional small and large potholes. Small vehicles like the Honda Jazz can navigate it comfortably. However, be aware that the road has steep and winding sections. The total travel time from Chiang Mai is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.


2. The route via Sa-maeng, accessible from Hang Dong or Mae Rim (via Mon Cham), was previously (2015) an unpaved dirt road. During the rainy season, only 4x4 vehicles could navigate it. Despite the challenging terrain, this route was 30 minutes shorter than the Pai route. In the future (unspecified timeframe), the road is expected to be fully paved, improving accessibility.


The road to Sa-maeng has been significantly improved since 2017. Most of the road is now paved with asphalt, and the red clay sections have been compacted to create a smooth surface. I was able to drive my Mazda 2 sedan up the road, and commuter vans are also able to make the trip. However, I would not recommend traveling on this road during the rainy season until it is fully paved. I will provide another update when the road is completed.


Public transportation options include yellow songthaews departing from Chang Phuak Bus Terminal twice daily (9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, although on some days only a single 10:00 AM departure may be available). However, there is no public transportation available on the mountain itself. The absence of transportation options makes it highly inconvenient to reach the summit without private transportation. Bringing your own vehicle, whether a motorcycle or car, is strongly recommended for ease of access.



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Assuming we are traveling from Chiang Mai, the scenic beauty begins to unfold as soon as we reach the junction leading from Mae Taeng to Pai.

Along the Chiang Mai-Pai route, you will encounter numerous curves, one of which is particularly striking and aptly named "Beautiful Curve."

During the winter mornings, the breathtaking sea of fog is a sight to behold.


Along the way, there will be rest stops for cars and people at intervals. There are also coffee shops and restaurants all the way from Mae Taeng to the junction leading up to Wat Chan.


From the Wat Chan junction onwards, there are no shops. There are some rest stops available.


Some sections of the road are lined with beautiful pine trees.

Approaching Wat Chan. (Photos are a mix, not all taken at the same time.)


The first place we will encounter is the "Op. Khun Wang Ban Wat Chan Project", located on the right-hand side of the road (if coming from the Pai route).

This landmark is a significant feature of Wat Chan. Accommodation can be booked online.


It is highly recommended to book in advance, especially during the winter weekends, as they fill up very quickly. http://www.fio.co.th/travel/watchan/


Lush greenery covers the entire Royal Project during this rainy season.

I visited yesterday. The rice is lush and green.


Still at the OP. (This picture wasn't taken on purpose, it fell on the floor and it's already yellow.)


Looking down from the ridge of the reservoir


The climax of the opera is the reservoir.


Is there anything else I can help you with?

The evening sky, some days it's golden, so beautiful. Don't you think?


Subsequently, it began to turn purplish and gradually darkened.


During the winter season, the reservoir offers breathtaking views.

Some say it's like Pang Ung in Chiang Mai, but I still want to go to Pang Ung anyway. I've never seen it before. 555

(I've been to both places. They're both beautiful in different ways. More importantly, Wat Chan has fewer tourists. Hehe.)


If you are a little late, you will get this.

However, if you go too early, you won't see anything.



However, the OP is not limited to this.



During this rainy season, the green maple leaves are vibrant and fresh.


During January and February, the scenery changes color, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Japan.


And if it's during the flowering season of the tiger lily, this place also has it, you know. You don't have to fight to eat, fight to take pictures, get stuck in traffic, burn your brakes and clutch. Hehe.


It wasn't as crowded as other places (maybe because we went late), but the photos turned out great. Hehe.


The winter sunset is breathtakingly beautiful.


After passing the OP, you will find the 80th Anniversary of Wat Chan Moon Chelimphrakiat Hospital on your right-hand side.


This is a 10-bed community hospital that has been in operation for 9 years.


If the OP is full, the hospital has affordable accommodation available.


The hospital has built a resort-like facility on a hill behind the main building. It's not as scary as you might think.

Accommodation options include double rooms, ten-bed dorms for groups, and a camping area with clean restrooms.


Please visit the hospital accommodation page for booking information. Contact details are available on the page.

Watch An Hospital Resort


On January 18, 2015, the Kalayaniwattana District, in collaboration with Chiang Mai Province and Wat Chan Hospital, ...

Jointly organized the "Galyani Vadhana Mini Marathon, 1st edition", which is expected to be held annually.

Let's run through the mist together in the years to come.


Follow news and updates about the Kanyanee Minimara Marathon on this page.


The climax for me wasn't the reservoir or the changing maple leaves.

This is the image…


Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

This is the first star photo I took with the Olympus OM-D E-M10 mirrorless camera and kit lens.

The first time I captured it on camera, I was incredibly excited.

This district doesn't have a 7-Eleven. Is that relevant?

Certain areas of this district lack electricity. After dark, venturing outside the hospital (where I work) onto the street plunges one into complete darkness.

Pitch black, with only the headlights of our car illuminating the road ahead. If we were to turn off the car's lights, the night sky (on a clear night) would be filled with stars.

Like an ocean of stars! It's so much!

After starting astrophotography, I went out to shoot stars almost every other day, or every other week.


However, during the month I started astrophotography, the center of the Milky Way had already set by early evening.


I was overjoyed when I captured this photograph.

This photo was taken in front of the hospital flat after the rain. The sky was very clear. (They turned off all the lights in the flat. 5555)


This photo is breathtaking! The Milky Way is incredibly vibrant and detailed. (Note: This refers to the Milky Way galaxy.)


There was a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in early July.


Good heavens, Robin! That's the Milky Way, clearly visible to the naked eye as a dense, white band. It's incredibly beautiful!


The brightly lit house on the left belongs to a hospital staff member.


Enviable! Just a few steps outside the house, the Milky Way is incredibly clear (it's very dark!).

Everyone who went with me got a great profile picture. 55555


Let's take a peek into the heart of the Milky Way. What do you see?


Add a picture... gazing at the stars in the Royal Project at Ban Wat Chan.


This is my favorite photo among all the nighttime photos I've taken. It was captured at the Royal Project at Ban Wat Chan, on the way up to the reservoir.


I'm sure someone will ask how I took this photo.


- Requires a tripod.

- Kit lenses can also take photos.

- Find a dark place without any light interference.

- Focus at infinity (Please refer to your camera's manual for instructions on how to achieve this).

  • ISO 1600-3200 depending on ambient light conditions (if shooting in the city, 800 will still show stars, but if it's too high, it will be completely white).
  • Widest aperture (lowest f-number) the camera can achieve.

- Shutter speed 20-30 seconds, depending on the ambient light conditions.

- To avoid star trails, please refer to this rule: http://www.manager.co.th/Science/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9560000154287

For more information, please refer to this thread for a detailed explanation of finding directions and photographing the Milky Way: http://pantip.com/topic/35641731



The strawberry picking experience at Wat Chan is not the only one in the district. There are several other Royal Projects in the area where you can also pick your own strawberries.

Eat as much as you want at the restaurant, but you'll be charged for anything you take home. 5555

This bag costs 50 baht!


"Where's the temple? I've been calling it Wat Chan for ages!"



"Wat Chan" does exist, but I couldn't find any pictures of it. Perhaps I don't visit temples very often. Haha.

Wat Chan is a temple that serves as the heart of the local community. It is situated in the center of the village.

King Rama IX once visited this place. (See the picture below.)

The name of this temple has become synonymous with a wide range of entities, including the Royal Project and the hospital.


The old chapel is nicknamed "Ray-Ban Spectacles Chapel."

The old temple houses a portrait of King Rama IX, who once visited this site.


This is the new building.


The principal Buddha image in the new viharn is truly impressive and leaves a lasting impression on all visitors. Its beauty is truly remarkable.


The old Reuan chapel on the night of the end of Buddhist Lent, 2015.


In this village, it is customary for locals to light incense sticks at the temple, around the temple grounds, around the pagoda, and in front of their own homes.

Besides Wat Chan, there is also "Phra That Chom Chaeng" on the top of the mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the entire Ban Wat Chan village.

For directions, you can ask the locals or shops near Wat Chan. Everyone knows each other there.


In the early mornings of winter, there is a sea of fog.

The sea of fog completely covers the entire Wat Chan temple.


The night offers a different kind of beauty, with a sky full of stars.


The Milky Way is visible (depending on the month and the waxing and waning of the moon).


The stupa is illuminated by 2560 lights.


The surrounding landscape has been improved and transformed into a beautiful viewpoint.




To summarize, here are some additional points to consider:

1. Accommodation: I recommend the "Royal Project Ban Wat Chan" as most of the scenic viewpoints in the photos are located there. You can inquire and book accommodation through the link provided. During the winter season and weekends, it is highly recommended to book well in advance. http://www.fio.co.th/travel/watchan/


If the accommodation at the Royal Project is full, you can stay at the hospital. There is accommodation available. https://www.facebook.com/watchanhospitalresort/ It is 3 km from the Royal Project. There are water heaters. The accommodation area is far from the hospital, so it will not disturb patients and has good privacy.


2. Regarding food, as far as I know, the Royal Project AOP offers breakfast and a buffet dinner. You can inquire with the staff when booking your accommodation to see if other meals are available. However, there are several restaurants in the village, including cooked-to-order restaurants, noodle shops, coffee shops, and grocery stores (but no 7-Eleven). Don't worry about starving. ... The location is as follows: Assuming you are coming from Pai, the Royal Project AOP is on the right-hand side. Continue straight ahead, and you will pass the hospital and come to a three-way intersection with "Wat Chan." Turn left and go a few meters. That area is where the restaurants are located. If that area is closed, there are several other restaurants a little further down the road. You can ask the locals for directions.


3. For cars, it is recommended to come from the Pai direction. For the Sa-merng route, it is recommended to use a pickup truck. Motorcycles of all sizes are allowed.


Thank you all for visiting.

For more information and pictures, please contact me privately.

Chanawin Photography

https://www.facebook.com/watchancnx



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