Doi Luang Chiang Dao National Park

This park is home to Doi Chiang Dao, which is the third-highest peak in Thailand. It is a rugged mountain area popular with trekkers and climbers, who are drawn to its limestone peaks and diverse ecosystem.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao National Park is located in the Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. The park is named after its most prominent feature, Doi Chiang Dao Mountain, which is the third highest mountain in Thailand, standing at an impressive 2,175 meters above sea level. The mountain is a limestone massif and is known for its unique and rugged karst landscape.

Established in 2000, the national park covers an area of approximately 1,123 square kilometers and includes diverse ecosystems ranging from lowland tropical forests to high-altitude cloud forests. This diversity of habitats supports a rich variety of plant and animal life, with many species being endemic to the region.

One of the notable attractions in the park is the Chiang Dao Cave, a large cave system that extends several kilometers into the mountain. It is famous for its stalactites and stalagmites, and parts of the cave are accessible to tourists with local guides.

The park is also a popular destination for bird watching, as it is home to a wide range of bird species. Trekking is another common activity in the area, with a variety of trails available that cater to different levels of fitness and experience. Some trails lead to hill tribe villages, providing an opportunity for cultural interaction and insight into the lifestyles of the local ethnic groups.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao National Park is characterized by its impressive views, natural beauty, and the tranquility it offers to visitors. The area is a crucial watershed for surrounding agricultural lands and plays a significant role in the region's ecology and biodiversity conservation efforts.