Travel Guide: Grand Canyon Chiang Mai

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
If cliff jumping excites you, chances are you have heard about the Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai—a favorite destination, especially among adventurous backpackers, in Northern Thailand. Officially named the Hang Dong Canyon, the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon is actually a huge group of quarries, where materials were taken from for the extension of Chiang Mai airport’s runway. But with its striking similarity to the iconic American attraction, it has attracted a lot of tourists from all over the world—and indeed, if you are visiting Thailand, this place is a must-see.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
Situated in Nam Phrae, less than an hour away from the center of Chiang Mai, the Grand Canyon is a picturesque destination where travelers can simply relax with some food and music or unleash their adventurous selves by jumping and swimming into the water. Even if you don’t have plans to conquer your fears and dive off the quarry walls, this place is still worth a visit.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
I’m lucky that I have adventurous friends like Via, because if she hadn’t mentioned this place, I wouldn’t have known about it at all! Read on to find out more about Chiang Mai’s Grand Canyon.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide


When to Go

November to February is the best time to visit Thailand, as the weather is quite cooler and the rains have reduced. As for the Grand Canyon itself, the crowds start arriving at around noontime, so if you wish to have some quiet moments, you better get there early (suggestion: 9:00AM, which means you have to leave Chiang Mai center at 8:00AM), or go there late, around 3:00PM, when most people would’ve gone already. 

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How to Get To Grand Canyon Chiang Mai

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
From Chiang Mai:

By songthaew (taxi): This is the easiest way to get to the Grand Canyon, especially if your navigation skills are practically nonexistent, like mine. We got mine for 900 THB ($28.26/PhP1,433) (there were 3 of us), two-way, for three hours—that’s 300 THB ($9.42/PhP478) per head. We simply asked our hostel’s front desk staff for help to get us a nice driver, since we had limited time and we couldn’t risk getting lost around Chiang Mai if we took other means of transportation.

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By motorbike/car: If you are used to driving around with a car or motorcycle, just search for “Grand Canyon Chiang Mai” in your Google Maps or any other map app, and follow the directions. See also the detailed instructions I found here.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
From Bangkok:

The fastest way is to take the plane. Air Asia flies directly from Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) to Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai International Airport)—travel time is 1 hour. When we went, we were able to book a one-way flight for approximately 1,200THB ($37.68/PhP1,910.75). You can find cheaper flights than this, especially if you’re not buying at the last minute.

Your alternatives are the train and the bus, which would take you around 12 hours and 9 hours respectively. For more information on train and bus options, see this article

From Chiang Rai:

If you’re coming from Chiang Rai like we did, hop on to a Green Bus –travel time is about 3.5 hours and tickets cost 166THB ($5/PhP257) each. Check out the bus schedules here


Where to Stay in Chiang Mai

We stayed in a place called Your Space Hostel Chiang Mai, a lovely accommodation situated in a quiet side of the city, but a short distance away from the night markets. Our room was very charming and comfortable, and the staff are super friendly! Full review to follow.

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How Much Money to Bring

Aside from the songthaew, the only thing you need to pay for at the Grand Canyon is the entrance fee, which is just 50 THB ($1.50/PhP77) per head. Other than this, you only need to worry about your food, drinks, and souvenirs (if you wish); parking is free, if you have a car.  I would say budget around 200 THB for food ($6.28/PhP318)—so a total of 550 THB ($17.30/PhP876) should be enough for your whole Grand Canyon visit.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide


Things to Bring

Suntan lotion
Waterproof case/bag for gadgets
Comfortable sandals or shoes
Camera/action camera


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Further reading:

PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Researching your destinations, booking your transfers, choosing accommodations, and shopping for the essentials.
 ITINERARY & BUDGET
Our 10-Day itinerary across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam; useful tips; plus our budget breakdown!
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Things to Do

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
For adrenaline junkies, the two best activities here are swimming and jumping into the canyon’s deep, cool waters. Years ago, the park just allows everyone to jump and do their own thing, but after several instances of drowning (dear people who can’t swim: please don’t dive), they now won’t allow you to go into the water without a life vest. If you attempt to remove it while in water, someone will whistle at you and reprimand you. There are bamboo rafts floating around where people can chill and do some sunbathing.

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On one side of the park is a rock climbing installation—not sure if it has opened now, but when we went there, it was still under construction. Guests can rent kayaks as well and paddle around the area.

grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
I saw on Facebook that one side of the Grand Canyon has been turned into a water park—complete with inflatables and all. While I think it is completely tacky and totally ruined the natural beauty of the place, this development certainly attracted more tourists (i.e. families).

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photo credit: Grand Canyon Water Park

For someone who prefers to chill in places like this (like me), the best thing to do around here is just grab your own lounge chair, sit back, and enjoy the views and the warm weather. The landscape is stunning—to be honest, I couldn’t stop looking at it and marveling at how the trees seem to crown the reddish clay walls. If anything, I just wished they hadn’t placed a Grand Canyon sign on top, and didn’t put floating things around.

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The Tuang Thong Canyon View Restaurant serves a variety of delicious Thai food alongside coffee, smoothies, and ice cream popsicles. You can choose to eat in the lounge chairs nearby, or grab a table in the restaurant deck, where you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the canyon. There are some stalls as well selling refreshing coconut juice.


grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide
grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide


grand-canyon-chiang-mai-travel-guide

Now What?

Check out bus schedules from Chiang Rai here
Or, book your flight from Bangkok here.
Check affordable Chiang Mai hotels here.
Do a side trip to White Temple in Chiang Rai and read my guide here.
Plan your whole Thailand itinerary by reading my Indochina travel guide.


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Related Stuff:

THAILAND FOOD GUIDE
Here are the things you shouldn't miss when visiting Thailand!

WHITE TEMPLE CHIANG RAI
A guide to visiting Thailand's "most lavish" temple.
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Grand Canyon Chiang Mai
244 M.3 T.Namphrae A.Hangdong, Chiang Mai




Have you been to Chiang Mai? Would you jump at the Grand Canyon?

If you like my posts and would love regular updates on travel photos, food finds, restaurant reviews, dance articles, and drunken tales, follow Pepe Samson on Facebook!

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