|
Chiang
Dao Caves
The
Chiang Dao Caves are located 72 km north of Chiang Mai city
along the way to Fang and Tha Ton and 5km west of route 107.
The
cave complex is thought to extend for 10-14km into Doi Chiang
Dao Mountain and from the summit of Doi Chiang there are magnificent
views. In fact the whole surrounding area is largely unspoiled
and quite scenic.
Admission
to the overall cave complex is inexpensive at 5 baht. The
interior cave formations are very spectacular and over 100
of them have been named. At present only the following caves
are open to the public:-
Tham
Maa - 7,365 m
Tham Kaew - 477 m
Tham Phra Nawn - 360 m
Tham Seua Dao - 540 m
Tham Naam - 660 m
The
two main caves that are easily explored on one's own are Tham
Phra Nawn and Tham Seua Dao, as they are electrically illuminated.
Both these caves contain many religious statuary and sacred
Buddha images.
In
order to explore Tham Maa, Tham Kaew or Tham Naam caves visitors
must bring or hire their own lights and lanterns as these
caves have no electric lightning. Oil lanterns and local guides
are available at 20 baht per cavern. To explore the deepest
recesses a local guide is essential.
There
is a Thai legend that says the Tham Chiang Dao Caves served
as the home of a 'reu-sii' (hermit sage) for a thousand years.
According to the legend, the sage was on such intimate terms
with the deity world that he convinced some 'the-wadaa' (the
Buddhist equivalent of angels) to create seven magic wonders
inside the caverns: a stream flowing from the pedestal of
a solid-gold Buddha, a storehouse of divine textiles, a mystical
lake, a city of nagas, a sacred immortal elephant and the
hermits own tomb.
The
locals say that all the magic wonders are very deep inside
the mountain - beyond the furthest illuminated areas, so cannot
be found! The locals also say that if anyone removes even
a singular small piece of rock from any of the caves, they
will forever lose their way inside the eerie passageways.
 |
Check
our featured natural attractions index across Thailand
and discover great ideas for your next trip |
Back to Top
|
