Enchanted by the Charm of Small Towns in the Valley: "Samaeng-Muang Khong, Chiang Dao"

During my recent trip to Chiang Mai last October, I had the opportunity to explore two charming small towns that I had never visited before. Both offered unique experiences, from artistic and welcoming accommodations to the warmth of the local hosts. I spent two nights in each location, and while they were quite different, both left me with a lasting impression.

Samaeng:

  • Pan Din Resort & Art: This artistic resort provided a welcoming and creative atmosphere.
  • Phra That Doi Nok: This temple offered stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Ui Gaew Coffee, Khun Samaeng: This charming cafe served delicious coffee and local snacks.

Muang Khong, Chiang Dao:

  • Muang Khong Ai Dong Homestay: This homestay provided a warm and authentic experience, allowing me to connect with the local community.

While these two towns are distinct, they share a common thread: a captivating charm that will leave you wanting more.

"Once you visit Samoeng, you'll fall in love with it forever."

So they say.
Everyone knows Samoeng as the top strawberry-growing region in Thailand. During the winter season, people flock here to buy strawberries. However, our trip wasn't during the winter or the strawberry-growing season. Instead, we went at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter, when the strawberry plants had just been planted. We wanted to experience a different side of Samoeng, away from the tourist season.

Embark on a journey to Samoeng, where our destination for the night is "Pundin Resort and Art," where we have already secured accommodations. The route from Chiang Mai city to Samoeng is adorned with natural beauty on both sides.

A Tranquil Retreat in the Mountains: Pan Din Resort & Art, Samoeng

Nestled amidst the picturesque slopes of Doi Nok in Samoeng, approximately 7 kilometers from the town center, lies Pan Din Resort & Art. This eco-friendly haven offers a serene escape into nature, where art and tranquility intertwine.

As you approach the resort along the road leading to Yang Moen, charming cottages grace the right side of the path. Pan Din boasts seven unique wooden houses, each crafted with recycled pallets, reflecting the resort's commitment to sustainability.

Step inside and discover the beauty of open-air bathrooms, where nature's embrace extends even to your personal space. The resort's dedication to cleanliness ensures a comfortable and hygienic stay.

Pan Din is more than just a place to rest your head; it's an artistic sanctuary. Immerse yourself in the creative spirit that permeates the resort, where art and nature converge in perfect harmony.

In addition, there are also adorable activities for art lovers, such as clay sculpting, to make guests feel warm and cozy.

Let's take a look at the guest room. It's very stylish, decorated with the homeowner's artwork. There's also a TV to keep you entertained.

This is the gallery zone, which features sculptures, paintings, and an art activity room for customers.

As the sun sets, it's time for dinner. There's no need to worry about feeling lonely here, as there's a stargazing platform at the foot of the hill behind the accommodation. You can have a barbecue dinner or order local food through the accommodation. The owner of the house is also very kind. He sits and talks with the customers, playing the guitar and singing songs to entertain the guests. We learned about the origin of this place from the owner, a young man who makes clay sculptures. Knowing that he wasn't suited for a regular job, he set out on a journey and chose to visit this place. After staying here for a short time, he fell in love with the mist and the cold wind of Mae Sa Mai. Today, this young man's dream has come true. On an area of about an acre, there is a unique accommodation that blends art and nature perfectly.


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In the morning, there is another activity that I highly recommend: watching the sea of mist at "Phra That Doi Nok". Last night, I talked to Arm, the owner of "Pan Din Resort & Art". Behind the resort is the Phra That temple located on Doi Nok. You can watch the sunrise with a beautiful sea of mist. However, during my visit, the road leading up to the temple was blocked by fallen trees and landslides due to heavy rain before my stay. Therefore, I had to use another method by walking up the stairs near the resort.

The "Phra That Doi Nok" is a sacred Buddhist stupa situated atop Doi Nok in the Mae Sa Plong village. Perched at an elevation of 740 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by lush evergreen forests and rugged terrain. Despite the challenging ascent, reaching the Phra That Doi Nok is considered an immensely rewarding experience. The site offers breathtaking views and a refreshingly cool atmosphere, making it a truly worthwhile destination.

Offering panoramic views of the Sa-moeng district, this location provides a breathtaking vista. During the winter season, early risers who ascend the mountain around five or six in the morning are rewarded with a spectacular display of mist and the rising sun, ushering in a new day.

After descending from "Phra That Doi Nok," we will head to the Samoeng Market for breakfast. There are fewer customers during this period, so we can enjoy a special treat. We will not only have breakfast but also experience the way of life in Samoeng.

"The Three-Way Junction Sameng Porridge Shop is a place that Arm recommends. If you come to Sameng, you must try it."

In addition to congee, there is also soy milk and deep-fried dough sticks to eat. Everyone is full this morning!

Here is the delicious-looking jok sa-meng and crispy pa thong ko with sweetened condensed milk, perfect for a pleasant morning.

A short walk from the porridge shop, you will find the municipal market, or fresh market in the morning. On Mondays, it is particularly lively as it is a market day where villagers and hill tribe people come to sell their goods.

The atmosphere of the market in Sa Maeng is simple and peaceful. The people are friendly and always smiling.

Walking around the market, they bought a set of hill-tribe clothes and immediately changed into them to walk around the market.

Before bidding farewell to Arm, the owner of the artsy Puen Din Resort, I stopped by "Khum Sa-Meang" for a cup of coffee.

"Oh, the coffee cup" at the branch in front of "Khum Sa-meng"

The shop is a wooden house with a lush atmosphere. There are many corners to sit and drink coffee, located in the front zone of "Khun Saeng Muang, Chiang Mai."

The shop is decorated in Lanna style. It serves coffee and cake.

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After that, I ordered a coffee and sat down to enjoy the lush greenery of the big trees and the wonderful fresh air.

This place also has a Thai-style onsen, which will be open to the public. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to soak in it today because I had to continue on to Kong.

**Directions:** Upon reaching the three-way intersection facing the Samerng District Office, turn left. Proceed straight for 500 meters. The destination will be on your left, a large and impressive building.

"Experience the tranquility of Pundin Resort and Art, a haven nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Baan Pundin and Samaeng. Immerse yourself in the slow-paced lifestyle, where tranquility reigns supreme.

"Embark on a unique journey, where art and nature converge, creating an unforgettable experience."


After our return, we have been following the page of "Pundin Resort and Art". I would like to say that now, Arm has adjusted the decoration of the resort to welcome customers who want to experience the cold weather in a beautiful and artistic way. We would like to ask permission to share the latest clay sculpture images from the resort's page.



Relaxing seating with music by the small pool


Front yard lobby


Stargazing balcony, a spacious area for barbecue parties with friends.

Treehouse Art Gallery


A hammock is provided for you to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Note: Thank you for the beautiful pictures from Pundin Resort and Art. Seeing this, I don't know where to stay this winter. I must try this place. It's more than just accommodation.

Slow Life in the Mountains: "Muang Khong"

"Muang Khong" is a city of rice fields. There are only rice fields alternating with mountains and rivers. The huts at the end of the homestay are located in the middle of the valley. Visiting Muang Khong, the terraced rice fields, and the way of life are in perfect harmony with nature. It is a very livable city, closest to nature.

Our journey began in Samoeng, where we set off towards Chiang Dao district in search of the enigmatic "Kong City." Prior to our arrival, we had heard whispers of this hidden village nestled amidst the mountains.

The journey to Muang Khong, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, follows the same route as to Ban Na Lau Mai (Rabeang Dao). However, Muang Khong is approximately 27 kilometers beyond Ban Na Lau Mai. If you are using a private car, continue driving past the intersection to Rabeang Dao. The road is paved the entire way and is not difficult, but it is winding and narrow, so be cautious of oncoming traffic.

The journey from Samaeng to this location took almost 5 hours. Initially, I was concerned about getting lost because the route beyond Baan Na Lao Mai was surrounded by mountains and forests. The internet connection was intermittent at times. However, upon seeing the houses, I felt relieved. As I continued driving, I came across a grocery store and inquired whether I was on the correct path. They confirmed that I was, but that I needed to drive another 3 kilometers. Ai Dong was kind enough to call periodically to check on our progress.

Upon arriving in Muang Kong, I booked a stay at "Muang Kong Ai Dong Homestay." During my visit, it was the rice paddy season, so I had to book my accommodation in advance.

Upon arrival at Kong Homestay, we were greeted with a warm welcome. As dinner had not been prepared in advance, we ordered food from Ai Dong. However, there was no need to worry about going hungry, as the homestay boasts an organic vegetable garden where guests can pick fresh produce to cook their own meals.

This unique bamboo house is located at the edge of the village, next to a rice field. It has a simple bedroom and a bamboo balcony where you can enjoy evening activities. The house has several sizes, with four bamboo houses in total. The small house can accommodate 5 people, while the large house can accommodate 10 people.

The shared bathroom is owned by the kind-hearted Ai Dong. The accommodation fee is 350 baht per person per night.

The signature dish of Baan Ai Dong, Krua Ka Krua, is a kitchen open to the view of the rice terraces. On that day, we picked fresh fiddlehead ferns and stir-fried them with oyster sauce. There are also a variety of vegetables that Ai Dong grows around the house, which can be picked and cooked for meals.

"Stir-fried Mangetout with Oyster Sauce"

The sentence translates to:

"Having obtained some mangetout, the dish "Stir-fried Mangetout with Oyster Sauce" came into being."

A new day dawns in the city of Kong. As you wake up and open the door, you are greeted by a lush green rice field, the fragrant scent of rice plants filling the air, invigorating your senses.

The weather is a bit chilly, so let's boil some hot water and warm ourselves by the fire.

This morning's breakfast can be ordered with an additional set of local dishes.

This morning, we are still impressed by the Ai Dong's snow pea pods, so we have to stir-fry them with oyster sauce for another meal.

Breakfast has arrived. A staff member named Dam will deliver the food in a tiffin carrier and serve it on a tray in front of your room.

After a satisfying meal, we decided to take a walk to aid digestion. A friend who had stayed at the village before recommended visiting the beautiful wooden suspension bridge at the end of the village, known for its fresh air. We couldn't resist the allure and set off on the path they described.

A Walk to the Canal at the End of the Village

A walk to the canal at the end of the village offers a glimpse into the local way of life. The tranquility of the surroundings is immediately apparent, with a simple and peaceful existence. Lush greenery and vibrant flowers adorn every house, creating a serene atmosphere.

In this area, people work diligently on bamboo weaving. Almost every house you pass by will have residents sitting with their heads bent, each working on their individual piece.

Thank you, Muang Khong Ai Dong Homestay, for creating a place to stay that is nestled in nature, in the embrace of the mountains in Chiang Dao district. Muang Khong, try it and you will truly fall in love.

- https://www.facebook.com/pundinarm/

There are 7 houses in total, priced at 1500 baht per night.

  • https://www.facebook.com/dingdongmuangkhong/

The bamboo houses are available in two sizes: small houses that can accommodate 5 people and large houses that can accommodate 10 people. The room rate is 350 baht per person, with shared bathroom facilities.

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#chiang mai#chiang dao
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