Tham Chiang Dao

Cave

Extensive cave complex beneath Doi Chiang Dao in northern Thailand, Tham Chiang Dao features stalactites, Buddha shrines and guided tours through caverns; many combine cave visits with trekking on Doi Chiang Dao and visits to hill-tribe villages.

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Tham Chiang Dao essentials

Address: Tham Chiang Dao (Chiang Dao Cave), Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
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About Tham Chiang Dao

Tham Chiang Dao is a limestone cave system at the base of the Doi Chiang Dao massif in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. The cave contains multiple chambers with stalactite and stalagmite formations and several built Buddhist shrines and statues inside accessible chambers.

Visitors can enter sections of the cave on guided or self-guided visits to view rock formations and religious images; some chambers are large and well-lit while others require a short walk or steps. The cave sits at the foot of Doi Chiang Dao, a prominent limestone peak and protected area that provides the surrounding karst landscape.

The site has long been used for religious purposes, with shrines and offerings in several chambers. It lies in the northern lowlands of Chiang Mai province and is commonly reached from Chiang Mai city by road.

  • Distance from Chiang Mai: Located roughly 60-75 kilometres north of Chiang Mai city, making it a common day trip from Chiang Mai.

Exploring Tham Chiang Dao

This huge cave complex is a must-see for cave enthusiasts. The caverns are only partially lit and can be wandered at your leisure or explored with a lantern-equipped guide; the latter is the better choice, as not all the caverns are lit. All the caves are marked and signposted, and the tracks often make the going fairly easy.

One of the caves open to the public is Tham Maa, which extends over six kilometres into the mountain and requires a guide as it is unlit. A more accessible option is Tham Phra Non, lit for all of its 300 metres. Guides are mostly available at weekends. The caves lie a little over halfway between Chiang Mai and Fang (about 72 kilometres north of Chiang Mai), and six kilometres west of the main road, Route 107. Day trips can also be arranged through travel agents in Chiang Mai.

Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Tham Chiang Dao

The cool, dry period (November-February) is the best time to visit for comfortable conditions and safer access to caves and mountain trails.

Cool, dry season
Nov-Feb · 15-28°C
Clear, cooler weather makes cave and mountain visits pleasant; trails and roads are typically more reliable.
Hot season
Mar-May · 25-38°C
Hotter, humid conditions at lower elevations; outdoor activity is best early or late in the day.
Rainy season
Jun-Oct · 24-32°C
Frequent heavy rains can make trails and access roads slippery and may raise water levels in caves - exercise caution.

Weather & Climate near Tham Chiang Dao

Climate

Tham Chiang Dao's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 12°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1184 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 85 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 12° - 27° 20° 4 mm mostly sunny 69% 0.7 m/s 1.5 high 11.0h
February Ideal 14° - 30° 22° 7 mm clear 57% 0.8 m/s 1.8 very high 11.4h
March Excellent 18° - 34° 26° 24 mm mostly sunny 54% 1.0 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
April Very Good 21° - 35° 29° 55 mm some cloud 58% 0.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.5h
May Acceptable 22° - 33° 30° 170 mm overcast 76% 1.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.9h
June Acceptable 23° - 31° 27° 136 mm overcast 83% 1.2 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.2h
July Good 23° - 30° 26° 200 mm overcast 86% 1.1 m/s 1.9 very high 13.1h
August Good 22° - 30° 26° 236 mm overcast 89% 0.9 m/s 1.9 very high 12.7h
September Good 22° - 30° 26° 191 mm overcast 89% 0.8 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
October Very Good 21° - 29° 25° 99 mm partly cloudy 87% 0.7 m/s 1.7 very high 11.6h
November Excellent 18° - 28° 23° 46 mm some cloud 83% 0.7 m/s 1.6 very high 11.1h
December Ideal 14° - 26° 20° 16 mm mostly sunny 78% 0.7 m/s 1.4 high 10.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Tham Chiang Dao

Tham Chiang Dao (Chiang Dao Cave) is in Chiang Dao district north of Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai take Route 107 north toward Chiang Dao - the road distance is about 60-75 km and the drive usually takes 1.5-2 hours. Regular minivans and local buses depart Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station for Chiang Dao; once in Chiang Dao town the cave complex is a short tuk‑tuk or motorbike ride (or roughly a 1 km walk) from the town centre.

Tips for Visiting Tham Chiang Dao

  • Arrive early in the day to avoid tour-bus crowds and the midday heat; early mornings are quieter for exploring the main cave chambers and surrounding trails.
  • Hire a local cave guide at the entrance if you plan to explore beyond the well-lit main chamber-guides know safe routes through the deeper passages and will point out key formations and Buddha images that many visitors miss.
  • Combine a cave visit with a short walk to the nearby hilltop temple/meditation areas and viewpoints-many visitors only see the main cavern and miss the adjacent shrines and scenic overlooks on the limestone massif.