Doi Wiang Pha National Park

Doi Wiang Pha national park is located in Chai Prakan Distict and Fang District, Chiang Mai with a total area of 583 square kilometres and the height of 1834 metres above sea level. Due to its biodiverse forests together with cold climate and amazing scenery, it is the right place for those who wish to learn about the natural world. Most of the forest in the National Park is hill evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest. There are also dry evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp forest and pine forest. Additionally, Doi Wiang Pha Peak is where several rare plants are found. When cool season comes, all of the azaleas and the white roses will bloom simultaneously. The peak is also the habitat of different kinds of wild animals, most of which are small and medium-sized mammals, for example, squirrels, rabbits, wild boars, palm civets, barking deer, serows, Asian golden cats, porcupines, Asian black bears, etc. Apart from mammals, birds such as sunbirds, White-rumped Shamas, Asian barbets, woodpeckers and Scarlet Minivets are found within the area of Doi Wiang Pha. A major tourist attraction is, without doubt, the Doi Wiang Pha View Point, where visitors overlook fascinating landscapes with the sea of fog in the morning. Moreover, there are a number of waterfalls in the area of the national park and the most accessible one is Huai Sai Khao Waterfall. Located near the national park’s office, it is a small waterfall with a small lake where tourists can swim. In dry season, the waterfall has little water but is full of turbid water in May, when monsoon season often begins; the water, however, becomes clear after monsoon season. At the upper level of the waterfall is a basin full of sand from the erosion of sandstone in the upstream area. Furthermore, as a result of the humidity, mosses are found around the waterfall area. As for the accommodations and facilities, the national park provides two bungalows. For more information, please contact the national park on 05-331-7535, or contact the office located in Moo 8 Si Dongyen Subdistrict, Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai. To get to the national park from the city of Chiang Mai, drive about 125 kilometres along the highway no. 107. About 2 kilometres before reaching the town of Chai Prakan, you will see Si Dongyen School on the left side and the road to the national park is on the right side, opposite to the school. Turn right, drive 12 kilometres along the road and you will reach the destination. For those without private cars, Chaing Mai-Fang bus and minibus services are available at Chang Phueak Bus terminal, leaving every 30 minutes. Get off at Ban Tha Market in Chai Prakan District and then take a charter transport service to the national park’s office.