Review: Chiang Mai Day Trip - 3 Mountains, Temple Visits, Hot Springs, and Onsen This review details a one-day trip in Chiang Mai, encompassing visits to three mountains, temples, hot springs, and an onsen experience.

A Day Trip to Chiang Mai: Three Mountains, Temples, and Hot Springs

This short trip offers a taste of Chiang Mai's diverse offerings, encompassing mountain scenery, temple visits, and hot spring relaxation. Ideal for a day trip, it allows for a fulfilling experience without requiring an overnight stay. However, due to the significant distances involved and winding mountain roads, renting a car is highly recommended.

The journey begins at Maya Shopping Mall, Rin Kham Intersection, Highway 121 (or 107). Turn left onto Highway 1096 and continue straight through Mae Rim District. Follow the road until you see the sign for Mon Cham (Rural Highway Chm. 4051). Signs are clearly visible throughout the route. The road is paved and in good condition, except for the section from the entrance of Mon Cham onwards, which has narrow shoulders and numerous curves. Be cautious while driving.

Along the way, there are many strawberry farms. During this hot season, some farms have stopped operating, but some remain open. Visitors can pay an entrance fee to pick and taste strawberries at their leisure. The most popular variety is the 80.

On a weekday, #Mon Cham is less crowded. You can drive your car up to the main parking lot. The weather is cool until 11 am with a gentle breeze. The viewpoint and strawberry farm are popular among tourists. There are cafes, but they are expensive. Local products are available for purchase, but buy only what you can eat as carrying them back to Bangkok can be tiring.

The review of Mon Cham is well-documented, so I won't elaborate further. However, it's worth noting that there are numerous nearby attractions, including adventure activities, resorts, and camping sites.

2. Mon Cham - Pong Kwao

From Mon Cham to Pong Kwao Hot Spring

The next destination is #Pong Kwao Hot Spring. Follow the same highway (Chom Thong 4051) and you will see signs at the village intersections. It takes about 45-50 minutes. The road from Mon Cham to Ban Pa Lan to Ban Pong Kwao is a new, well-maintained 2-lane concrete/asphalt road with a slight incline. Eco cars will have no problem. After Ban Pong Kwao, the road narrows to a gravel road for the last 1 kilometer. Don't worry, you're on the right track!

The Pong Kwao Hot Spring covers an area of 7 rai and is managed by the community enterprise. Please note that there is no electricity available; instead, they utilize a solar energy storage system. A new parking lot has recently been completed in front, although the surface remains gravel. The entrance fee is 40 baht for children and 80 baht for adults, which includes a towel and a pair of shorts for soaking. This price is considered reasonable.

The bathing service offers a variety of options, including: * **Single rooms (depth 0.69-0.72 meters):** These private rooms are ideal for individual relaxation. * **Group rooms (depth 1.15 meters):** These rooms can accommodate 4-5 people and include private bathrooms. * **Shower rooms (separate for men and women):** These rooms provide a convenient option for those who prefer to shower. * **Outdoor communal pool:** This pool offers a refreshing experience with a comfortable water temperature. **Note:** The water temperature is not hot, unlike the much hotter springs in Sankampaeng. You can jump right in without testing the water first. It is recommended to soak for 15-20 minutes for optimal relaxation.

In addition to the hot spring pools, there are also restaurants, resorts, and guesthouses with prices starting at 1,000 baht per night. There is also a camping area that charges 200 baht per person (or 300 baht including bedding). The facilities are convenient. The staff said that the most popular time for tourists to visit is during the winter. On the day I went, there was no one there, so I was able to enjoy a private onsen in a large room.

3. Pong Kwao - Sa-moeng

After finishing my onsen bath, it was already past 1 pm. I chose to return to Mae Taeng District via Highway 4021. The road surface is in excellent condition, but there are many curves, so please drive carefully. Entering Mae Taeng District, I stopped for lunch at a restaurant in front of Mae Taeng Hospital. The food was delicious and affordable. This area is the main market, commercial district, government center, hospital, and district school. There is also a 7-Eleven, which was relatively quiet during the day.

There is a strawberry farm nearby called Wongwan, but it is not the season now, so I chose to go to another place instead.

4. Samoeng - Doi Nok Temple - Chiang Mai

The Doi Nok Stupa is a small temple located on the summit of Doi Nok mountain, approximately 9 kilometers from Mae Taeng district. To reach the temple, follow Highway 1349 until you see the sign for the Doi Nok Stupa. The access road is a 1-kilometer gravel path. During the rainy season, the road may become impassable, requiring visitors to park at the roadside and climb stairs to reach the temple. Parking is limited to 2-3 vehicles at the summit.

The temple grounds feature a pavilion housing a Buddha statue where visitors can pray for blessings, a relaxation pavilion, and the main stupa. The air is fresh and pleasant. From Doi Nok Temple, one can enjoy panoramic views of the community, verdant mountains, and even a thin layer of morning mist during the early hours. (Note: There are 3-4 dogs on the premises that can be quite aggressive.)

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Highway 1349 leads to the Doi Chang Royal Project - Kalayaniwattana District (92 km). The road is now complete. Personally, I would like to go there next time.

After completing the task, I returned to Chiang Mai city via Highway 1269, driving along the foot of the mountain. Along the way, I encountered numerous resorts and cafes, exceeding 20 in number, even though I was outside the city. I also made a stop at Phra That Doi Kham temple. I arrived in Chiang Mai city at 4 pm, but the journey wasn't over yet.

5. Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai

With energy to spare, we continued our journey to Doi Suthep. In the late afternoon, the crowds were sparse, ample parking was available, and the weather was pleasant. This provided an opportunity to admire the stunning views of Chiang Mai at dusk. There's no need for elaborate descriptions here. After paying respects at the temple and enjoying the panoramic vistas, we descended as twilight settled (around 6:00 PM).

This concludes our one-day trip to three mountains, where we enjoyed scenic views, hot springs, onsen baths, and temple visits. This itinerary is perfect for those who have rented a car and want to explore the outskirts of Chiang Mai on a day trip. Farewell! :)