Thailand Cave - Meung On Cave, and 2 Hot Springs, not far from Chiang Mai(To return to my page about Chiang Mai, click here) 40 kilometers to the north-east of Chiang Mai is Meung On Cave and 2 hot springs. Use the rough map below to help you find them. You can also use my Chiang Mai map to help...head east on Road 1006, past the train station. The cave is well worth the trip. It's not a huge cave, but it is big and deep. Be careful heading down the many steps (at one point you have to duck under rock so I wouldn't recommend the cave to everyone). The cave is lit up well throughout so you won't need a torch. It opens into a large chamber where you'll see a long reclining Buddha and another sitting Buddha.
I've been a couple of times and both times there's been just one or two other visitors so you may well have the cave to yourself. There are 200 or so steps up to the cave entrance. If you're feeling energetic, think about walking further up to the very top of the hill. There are perhaps 500 more steps and it's well worth it as the views are amazing. While I was there, in February, 2009, monks were busy making a temple up the top so it should be finished now. Entrance is 20 baht for foreigners, 10 baht for Thais.
Once out of Chiang Mai, the roads start to become quiet and after about 20 kilometers, you're really into the countryside. Some of the views along Roads 1006 and 1317 are breath-taking, with hills and mountains in the distance.
There are 2 hot springs further on from the cave. San Kamphaeng is the more advertised and well-known. I didn't go to see this one as it was getting dark. I've heard you can buy eggs to cook in the hot spring yourself! I've also heard that there is some water you can bathe in (although I was told it was rather dirty). Cost for bathing in the water is about 30 baht. Entrance is 40 baht for adults, 20 baht for foreigners (Thais - 20 baht / 10 baht).
Roong Aroon Hot Spring, nearby, I did visit a few years ago. It's set in some beautiful gardens. Hot water sprays high up in the air. I don't remember there being anywhere to bathe in the hot water here, but I may have missed it. Entrance is 90 baht. I'm not 100 percent sure but I think the springs are open until about 8pm.
GETTING THERE I don't remember seeing even one bus along Road 1317. Easiest is to hire your own motorbike or car from Chiang Mai. A taxi or tuk tuk will be relatively expensive - perhaps 1000 baht if the driver waits and takes you back to Chiang Mai. As you're traveling along Road 1317, you'll see a mountain on your right. I didn't go in this direction but it certainly looks like it could be an adventure! Use the rough map below to help you.
AccommodationThere's accommodation at both hot springs. I didn't see the rooms myself - I heard that you can have your own private hot mineral spring near your room. Here are the contact details:
If you look on the map, in the center-right, I wrote about a nice resort with tree style accommodation. It's easy to spot this place (see pics below). I don't have any contact details sorry! The other place mentioned on the map is a campsite that has other kinds of accommodation. Again, I don't have any contact details or prices but this would certainly be the budget option. It looks peaceful here, at the foot of a hill, unless there are groups of scouts staying, then it may not be quite so! Whilst traveling around the area of the hot springs, I saw 2 or 3 resort style places to stay that were probably quite expensive. Sorry I can't be more help on this!
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