Chiang Dao , Northern Thailand. Chiang Dao, literally translated 'the City of Stars', is North of Chiang Mai en route to Fang / Tha Ton. There is more to Chiang Dao than just it's famous caves.
Chiang Dao town centre still has some charming old style wooden shops flanking the highway. The soon to be opened bypass should make it a very pleasant place to visit.

Many of the people around Chiang Dao are involved with agriculture, and most are asleep by 8.00pm! They tend to rise very early for work. The morning market starts at around 3.00am finishing at about 8.00am. It is an interesting to see the locals shopping here. Every Tuesday Chiang Dao has a bustling and colourful market where people from the surrounding area, including many different groups of mountain people (hilltribes) come to buy and sell their wares. Not intended for tourists and well worth experiencing.

While the centre holds some interest the natural beauty is found away from the Highway. The area near and beyond the cave are regarded by many as the most beautiful in Northern Thailand.

Chiang Dao's most striking feature is Doi Chiang Dao, Thailand's 3rd highest mountain at 2225m which plays host to an abundance of wildlife and nature. It is one of the lesser-visited, but nonetheless interesting Thai birding sites.
Chiang Dao is an ideal base for people touring the area, whether on foot, cycling, in rented cars, or on motorbikes.

Elephant centres and river rafting are situated close by. A wide variety of hilltribe villages are dotted around the nearby mountains which can be reached independently or as part of a tour or trek. There are also some hiking trails through the forest, or up the mountain.
It is also a great place to unwind. Meditation , relaxing in a hammock, drinking a beer, or reading a book. It's such a beautiful, peaceful place, doing nothing is always an option.

Info by

ChiangDao.com

ThaiBirding.com

Chiang Dao Wildlife Santuary, is Thailand's third highest mountain at 2225 metres and, viewed from Chiang Dao village, is one of the most spectacular sights in the whole country.

This limestone massif has a number of peaks and ridges over 2000 metres in a horseshoe shape and has a series of forest types that change with altitude. The variety of forest types and altitude of the mountain combined with its close proximity to Myanmar result in a large number of exciting birds found here as well as some excellent views and a relaxing atmosphere.

The forests of Doi Chiang Dao are very intact, although there is a small hilltribe population in one corner of the park, but most of this area is too steep for it to come under much threat. Periodically the Thai government come up with plans to build a cable car to the summit, but currently this appears to be forgotten - thankfully!

Chiang Dao Birding

Mrs Hume's Pheasant Photo by : Ayuwat

Two species are the main target birds for most birders here: Giant Nuthatch and Hume's Pheasant. Both of these occur around the higher areas of the National Park where they are regularly seen. Another highly sought-after bird which seems to be fairly regularly encountered at the higher altitudes is Scaly Thrush. Be careful not to mistake female Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush (which is quite common) for this species to which it bears a passing resemblance, especially if not seen well.

Grey-headed Parrotbill, Crested Finchbill, various Thrushes and Black-tailed Crake are other memorable birds that have been seen higher up the mountain.

Giant Nuthatch Photo by : Puthai Praiwan

The lower levels of Doi Chiang Dao offer the opportunity to see a different set of forest birds and some open country species. In the "spring" months Streaked Wren Babbler is easily spotted near the temple, around the limestone outcrops. Don't confuse this with the similar looking calcicola subspecies of Limestone Wren Babbler which is only found in the region of Saraburi province.

In the gullies and damp patches around the base of the Chiang Dao massif, secretive species such as Slaty-bellied Tesia, Scaly-breasted Partridge, White-crowned Forktail, Hooded Pitta and Rusty-naped Pitta can be discovered with patience.

If birders spend time at the top of the mountain, around the bottom and visit some of the farmed areas, then a very high number of species will be seen.

Click here to Chiang Dao Birding Service.