Doi Inthanon National Park Chiang Mai

Doi Inthanon is thailand's most famous national park that cover 1005 square kilometers and is located between amphoe chom Thong, Amphoe San Pa Tong and Amphoe Mae Chame of Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain that stands 2565 meters above sea level, is part of the park. The park has the largest tract of upper mountain forest that originates in the main tributaries of the Mae Ping River, forming beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya. The moist and dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids and offers marvellous sights featuring chestnuts, oaks, magnolias, epiphytic flowers and wild orchids. This national park is a paradise for birdwatchers where many kinds of birds are found such as Blue-winged Minlas, Green Cochoas, Red-headed Trogons, Green-tailed Sunbirds and Ashy-throated Warblers. Many endemic species of mammal can also be found in the park such as the Szechuan Burrowing Shrew.

Doi Inthanon National Park itself lies roughly 90 minutes drive southwest of Chiang Mai and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views. You can drive all the way to the top, where stately chedis have been erected in honour of the present King and Queen of Thailand. The climate up at the top is almost alpine and cool at all times of the year, with sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures in winter.

On the top of Doi Inthanon are the Royal Chedis, from where you can have sweeping views of the valley below, especially Mae Chaem. However, cloud cover is the norm and visibility may be poor. The chedis commemorate the 60th birthday of the King and Queen and contain Buddha images and tiled murals.