Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon falls within the Himalayan mountain range and boasts the highest peak in the Chiang Mai Province of Thailand. At 2,565 meters above sea level, the peak offers spectacular landscape views of the Doi Inthanon National Park. Covering 482.4 square kilometres Doi Inthanon National Park is best visited from December to February during the cooler months when you can observe the beautiful Siamese sakura flowers, commonly known as cherry blossoms, all around.

The park is well known among tourists and students alike for its magnificent variety of bird life with no less than 362 bird species being documented by The Centre for Wildlife Research at Mahidol University. Other main attractions to the park are its several waterfalls, walking trails and the two Chedis, or Stupas, dedicated to the king and queen’s 60th birthday anniversaries.

Doi Inthanon was named after one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, King Inthawichayanon, who was honored for his concern and efforts for the preservation of the forests of northern Thailand. After his death, his remains were placed in the park as he requested, which was then renamed to Doi Inthanon.

For birdwatchers and other nature lovers alike there is much to feast the eyes on in this wonderful natural splendor that is Doi Inthanon. Another splendid attraction is its beautiful waterfalls which are mostly accessible from the main road and generally they flow all year round. They are however most impressive during the rainy season which extends from around May to November each year. One of the most impressive of these waterfalls is the Mae Ya waterfall which is a tiered waterfall with a total height of 250 meters and a magnificent 100 meters wide.

Tham Bori Chinda cave is yet another wonder not to be missed. Located near to Namtok Mae Klang, it features dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations. For visitors looking for alternative attractions, there is much to be seen at the Doi Inthanon Royal Project in Khun Klang village. Established in 1979, it was initiated to assist the local tribes to produce cash crops other than opium and to train them in modern cultivation methods.

There are many more features to this unspoiled piece of natural splendour and to document all of its glory would require volumes. There’s something magnificent to be seen for everyone visiting Doi Inthanon with its splendid fauna and flora, caves, waterfalls and other wonders of nature.