Doi Inthanon National Park
This is perhaps the most famous national park in the Chiang Mai region. It's also the location of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. The park is known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, and bird watching opportunities.
Doi Inthanon National Park is a national park in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It is named after Doi Inthanon, which is the highest mountain in Thailand, standing at 2,565 meters (8,415 ft) above sea level. The park is a part of the Himalayan mountain range and encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, including evergreen cloud forests, sphagnum bogs, and montane savannas.
Established in 1972, Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of over 482 square kilometers and is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. You can find hundreds of bird species, making it a paradise for bird-watchers. Mammal species such as wild boars, gibbons, deer, and serows can also be found in the park.
Doi Inthanon is also known for its stunning waterfalls, including Mae Ya, Mae Klang, Wachirathan, and Siriphum falls. Trekking and hiking are popular activities, with trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. The park's higher elevations offer cooler climate conditions, providing a respite from Thailand's tropical heat.
One of the highlights of the park is the two chedis (pagodas), Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri, near the summit of Doi Inthanon. These were built to honor the 60th birthday anniversaries of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The chedis are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Doi Inthanon National Park also features a Royal Project initiative that supports local agriculture, providing villagers with alternatives to the cultivation of opium poppy and helps to conserve the natural ecosystem.
Visiting Doi Inthanon National Park offers opportunities for birdwatching, nature photography, hiking, and absorbing the culture of the hill tribes living within the park's boundaries. The best time to visit the park is during the cold season, from November to February, when the weather is most comfortable and the flowers, such as rhododendrons and Siamese sakura cherry blossoms, are in bloom.
Established in 1972, Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of over 482 square kilometers and is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts. It is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. You can find hundreds of bird species, making it a paradise for bird-watchers. Mammal species such as wild boars, gibbons, deer, and serows can also be found in the park.
Doi Inthanon is also known for its stunning waterfalls, including Mae Ya, Mae Klang, Wachirathan, and Siriphum falls. Trekking and hiking are popular activities, with trails ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. The park's higher elevations offer cooler climate conditions, providing a respite from Thailand's tropical heat.
One of the highlights of the park is the two chedis (pagodas), Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri, near the summit of Doi Inthanon. These were built to honor the 60th birthday anniversaries of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The chedis are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Doi Inthanon National Park also features a Royal Project initiative that supports local agriculture, providing villagers with alternatives to the cultivation of opium poppy and helps to conserve the natural ecosystem.
Visiting Doi Inthanon National Park offers opportunities for birdwatching, nature photography, hiking, and absorbing the culture of the hill tribes living within the park's boundaries. The best time to visit the park is during the cold season, from November to February, when the weather is most comfortable and the flowers, such as rhododendrons and Siamese sakura cherry blossoms, are in bloom.