The Royal Project at Ban Wat Chan, Chiang Mai

"Phu Waen Chom Dao"

Nestled amidst the mountainous terrain of Galyani Vadhana District, Chiang Mai Province, lies the serene "Phu Waen Chom Dao." This enchanting locale draws visitors seeking respite amidst the verdant embrace of nature, particularly during the rainy and winter seasons.

During the rainy season, the landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of emerald hues, as lush vegetation flourishes under the nourishing showers. In contrast, the winter months unveil a mesmerizing spectacle of dense fog blanketing the sky, reflecting upon the tranquil waters and towering pine trees. The changing colors of maple leaves add to the picturesque charm of this season.

This trip took place during the New Year of 2016 with four friends. We drove from Mae Hong Son, winding our way down to Pai, and planned to continue our journey to Chiang Mai. While on the road, we browsed reviews to find interesting places to visit before reaching Chiang Mai, as we had ample time. That's when we stumbled upon a review of Baan Wat Chan.

After reading the reviews, we immediately headed to Wat Chan Moon. We were eager to see the beautiful fog contrasting with the morning sunlight and the maple leaves.

However,

On the day we went to the mountain, it rained (sad for a moment, it rained on New Year's Day, shouldn't it be cold? TT). So we encountered a lonely and gloomy atmosphere.

Upon arrival, we approached the staff to inquire about room availability, the number of guests, and the inclusion of dinner and breakfast. This is because the accommodation charges additional fees for meals.

The entrance is located before the information desk. Across from it is a small souvenir shop.

After settling into our room, we relaxed and waited for dinner.

We stayed at Baan Son Khao, which cost around 1,200 baht per night. The rooms have balconies and private bathrooms. The Dtac network signal was weak, but True had full 4G coverage. We're not sure about AIS, as no one in our group used it during our trip.

The room features four single beds and two bathrooms. One bathroom is for showering, while the other is for private use. The sink is located outside the bathrooms. (We didn't take any pictures because we were exhausted and went straight to bed after entering the room.)

I initially planned to take a short break and go out to take some photos, but it started raining, so I decided to take a nap instead.

As the evening approached and the rain subsided, we ventured out for dinner. The restaurant offered both indoor and outdoor seating, and the ambiance was pleasant. However, due to the dampness, we opted for a table inside. Upon entering, we were greeted by a table with our name written on it. The buffet spread was extensive, featuring a variety of dishes (apologies, I did not capture it on camera as I forgot to bring my camera). The food was replenished regularly, and we indulged in multiple rounds, savoring the delicious flavors.

After finishing their meal, they chatted for a while before going their separate ways to sleep, hoping that the next morning would be sunny and rain-free.

As expected, it didn't rain, but the sun didn't come out either. 5555 Can I cry? But even though the sun didn't come out, we didn't care. We went out to take pictures as usual. The gloomy atmosphere gave us gloomy pictures, but we liked it. It looked dark and cool.

As we walked towards the reservoir, we were greeted by rows of pine trees lining the path, their leaves glistening with morning dew.

Keep walking and you will find the entrance to the reservoir.

This place is stunning. We plan to return if we have the chance. We would love to see the sunrise over the reservoir.

We spent a considerable amount of time taking photos together before continuing our journey.

Getting There

This location is accessible by both public transportation and private car. If you are driving, we recommend taking the Pai-Galyaniwattana route, as it is paved throughout and offers easier travel compared to the Sa-mae-ing route.

The Royal Project at Wat Chan is another place that can be visited all year round, as it enjoys cool weather throughout the year. During the winter months, around January to February, the maple leaves change color. On clear nights, the sky is filled with stars.

Cost breakdown for this trip:

• Dinner: 150 baht/person
• Breakfast: 100 baht/person
• Accommodation: 1,200 baht/4 people

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