The Nam Tok Mae Klang Waterfall
lies 66 km southwest of Chiang Mai city at
the foot of Doi Inthanon Mountain. This unusual
waterfall has been visited by Thai people
for many years and is easily Chiang Mai's
most photographed
waterfall. Visitors continue to come in large
numbers on any sunny day in the year to swim
or simply unwind in this beautiful natural
setting.
The waterfall is reached via Highway 108 to
km 57 (just 1 km before the village of Chom
Thong). Turn right onto Highway 1009 and continue
8 km to where the road forks. Mae Klang is
300 m straight ahead. The summit road forks
to the right, reaching Park Headquarters near
km 31 and the summit of Doi Inthanon at km
48. Once there, the waterfall provides a picturesque
setting for picnics and relaxation. The area
is fast becoming popular with many international
visitors as well as local Chiang Mai families
who own homes along the riverside.
The rapids and waterfall spill over a wide
exposure of granite and can be approached closely.
Rocky paths climb up beside the 30 m high falls
and if you reach the top there is a fine view.
Visitors are asked to exercise caution around
the waterfall area and while swimming either
above or below the falls. There are food, drink
and souvenir stalls at the entrance and below
the main falls. Across the bridge are the beautifully
laid out gardens of the northern branch of
Wat Chai Monkon, a famous Bangkok temple. In
the grounds is a spectacular chedi containing
a lift. There is also an enormous Buddha statue
made out of one piece of Canadian greenstone.
A well-maintained trail leads up the side of
the waterfall and continues to the Visitor
Center and beyond.
