Doi Inthanon – One of the largest national parks in Chiang Mai – Thailand.

Known as the roof of Thailand, this place has many rare animals and plants. It is also an ecological area with dozens of waterfalls, caves, old forests… of nature.

Table of Contents

Information about Doi Inthanon.

Built in 1972, Doi Inthanon National Park has an area of over 482 km2. If you love heights, this place is an interesting experience for you to conquer, where Inthanon Peak is 2,565m high and is known as the roof of the Golden Temple Country. Doi Inthanon National Park has two main roads, the plants in the park are all engraved with names and some information about their origin. If you are a plant lover, when traveling here, you will definitely learn many new things.

The special thing about Doi Inthanon National Park is its biodiversity. It is home to many rare and endemic species of flora and fauna that you can discover on your journey. This includes the presence of a variety of bird species.

The climate in the National Park is cool, the temperature is always maintained from 10 – 15 degrees Celsius. But in winter days it will drop to around 5 – 7 degrees Celsius. Therefore, when exploring this park, remember to prepare warm clothes.

Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand. Photo: Collected.

In addition to exploring the natural life, Doi Inthanon also takes you into the world of Thai culture and history through beautiful temples and the cultural language of the indigenous people, the Karen. You can learn about local traditions and customs, and participate in activities such as mountain climbing, picnicking and enjoying local cuisine.

When to visit Doi Inthanon National Park.

The best time to visit Doi Inthanon National Park is during the rainy and winter seasons (November to February).

During this time, Doi Inthanon is usually cooler and more temperate. This makes it more suitable for sightseeing and trekking.

Blooming flowers: Winter is the most beautiful blooming season on Doi Inthanon. Cherry blossoms and rhododendrons are in full bloom, creating a majestic and poetic landscape.

Avoid the rainy season: in this area, from June to October, it often rains a lot in the afternoon and evening. Choosing to go in winter will help you avoid rain and unpredictable weather.

Best picnic and trekking: Winter is also the best time.

The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Photo: Collected

Please prepare warm clothes when you come in winter, especially in the evening.

Doi Inthanon National Park Admission Fees and Opening Hours.

Doi Inthanon National Park welcomes visitors daily from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Entrance fee for foreigners:
Adult: 300 Baht/ticket
Children from 3 to 14 years old: 150 Baht/ticket
Entrance fee for Thai citizens:
Adult: 60 Baht/ticket
Children from 3 to 14 years old: 30 Baht/ticket
Twin Towers entrance fee: 100 Baht/ticket
Vehicle ticket price:
Car: 30 Baht/ticket
Motorbike: 20 Baht/ticket

Beautiful nature of this place Photo: Collected

Explore inside the national park.

1. The Stupa of King Inthawichayanon

In Doi Inthanon National Park, there is a stupa that holds the bones of Chao Inthawichayanon – the last king of Chiang Mai. Near the stupa, there are many ancient trees that are hundreds of years old. When walking around here, you will definitely feel like you are lost in a fairyland in a story. Each area in the National Park will create thousands of virtual photos, so remember to prepare your camera and a lot of free memory to take beautiful photos. You can book with us: Thailand – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai Tour to visit the Stupa of King Inthawichayanon during the upcoming April 30 holiday.

The Stupa of King Inthawichayanon

2. Conquering the Roof of Thailand.

When entering Doi Inthanon National Park, the first journey for visitors is to explore the peak of Doi Inthanon, the highest peak not only in the park but also in Thailand. The road leading to the top of the mountain is winding but offers a wide view with an unobstructed view of the trees. On this stretch of road, visitors need to drive carefully to avoid falling into the drainage ditches on the side of the road.

Doi Inthanon peak is 2,565 meters above sea level. It is worth mentioning that you do not need to climb the mountain to reach the top, but only need to drive 48km on provincial road 1009 to reach the top of the mountain. After parking, you need to take a short walk of a few hundred meters through wooden paths through the forest to reach the exact location of 2,565m. However, because this location is often covered by clouds and mist in the morning and has many trees blocking it, many tourists who want to enjoy the sunrise on Doi Inthanon often choose to follow the Kew Mae Pan route.

Climbing Doi Inthanon Photo: Collected

Admire the Beautiful Waterfalls.

In the majestic mountains of Doi Inthanon, this national park boasts majestic and beautiful waterfalls. Some of the famous waterfalls here are: Mae Ya, Vachrithan, Sirithan and Mae Klang. Mae Ya Waterfall, with a height of up to 260 meters, is the highest waterfall in the national park, while the remaining three waterfalls are located along the main road of the park and can be easily checked in.

The waterfalls in the park always have water flowing all year round, but the rainy season from May to November is the time when the water is at its highest, creating a beautiful scene. If you come here in the dry season, although you will miss the waterfall scene, you will have the opportunity to get close to the waterfall to admire the gentle white water, and you can also bathe in the clear water hole below.

Admire the Beautiful Waterfalls. Photo: Collected

Unique Cultural Experience in Ethnic Village.

At Doi Inthanon National Park, visitors can visit the villages of the Hmong and Karen indigenous people, creating a unique cultural experience. One of the interesting stops is Sobhad village, where the Hmong people live. Here, you can learn about their customs and daily life.

Enjoy colorful ethnic performances, and try unique traditional Thai dishes. In particular, you can admire the rare beauty of Karen ethnic women with long necks at Doi Inthanon National Park.

In addition, this journey also brings you closer to the lives of the Meo and Karen people, by participating in their traditional markets and discovering the unique features of indigenous culture. Buying handicrafts here also helps support the livelihood of the local community. These experiences will make your trip to Doi Inthanon a wonderful and memorable journey.