Why You Should Visit Mae Kampong Village
Mae Kampong Village is an adorable destination renowned for its emphasis on ecotourism and traditional agricultural life. The village is approximately an hour east of Chiang Mai into the mountains bordering the Lampang province. While it’s not as high as Doi Inthanon, the highest elevation in Thailand, Mae Kampong, is 4200 feet above sea level. It’s known for its sanctuary for gibbons (monkeys), the Mae Kampong Waterfall, hiking trails, and rice fields.
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Wander the Narrow Streets
Mae Kampong is situated on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, approximately 55 kilometers away, and can be easily accessed by car or public transportation. Visitors can enjoy strolls along the interconnected streets, discovering niche shops, cozy cafes, and charming local restaurants.
Sample the Local Foods
Numerous street vendors and stalls offer locally produced goods, meats, and various products. Among the standout offerings are honeycombs, served alone or atop some cake, and Sai Ua La Wan, a coiled pork sausage filled with aromatic herbs and spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and red chili paste. Unfortunately, a lot of the street foods included pork. We were lucky to find this great restaurant serving chicken, beef khao soy, and beef noodle soup with beef meatballs.
Dip your Toes in the Mae Kampong Waterfall
You can hike up the hill to the Mae Kampong Waterfall, which is quite the hike. Or hire a driver, a local with an automobile. We hired Doi for 40 Baht each person. He took us up the waterfall and waited for us. He then took us to the Chomnok Chommai Cafe and returned to take us back into town when we were done. The waterfall is a series of cascading falls you can walk across. Take the steps adjacent to the waterfall if you feel more adventurous.
Address:
San Kamphaeng Huai Kaeo, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
https://goo.gl/maps/DNan9Sdg1CAAyXuz6
Take in the View at the Local Cafe
Chomnok Chommai Cafe– Bird’s Eye View
Most people call this rustic cafe the cafe on the hill with the best view of Mae Kampong, and indeed, both descriptions are true. Additionally, the two-story cafe offers the absolute best view of the valley below. It also has delicious coffee and homemade cakes. I inhaled the coconut cake a little too quickly. Fortunately, I am still feasting on the view hours later.
Address:
69 Huai Kaeo, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
https://goo.gl/maps/Q7rPCb2uM7AQ7nx57
Teddu Cafe– More Waterfalls
As we were heading out of town, I spotted a long suspension bridge peeking out from the forest. Intrigued, we doubled back to check it out and discovered Teddu Coffee Cafe. It turns out the bridge used to lead to the now-defunct zipline. However, you can also head down a long staircase to the jungle floor to reach the Teddu Coffee Cafe. After we grabbed a couple of ice creams, I climbed another set of stairs to the suspension bridge to take a few pictures.
Address:
Teddu Coffee Cafe, 85 5, Huai Kaeo, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
https://goo.gl/maps/iGSDTT7eYFmGyJcm8
Soak in the Sankampaeng Hot Springs
Or boil eggs in a thermal hot spring? So I did both. I also loved having my very first onsen experience. Sankampaeng Hot Springs is known for its geothermal springs that emit mineral-rich hot water. Visitors can enjoy soaking in the warm pools, which are believed to have therapeutic properties due to their mineral content. The area also features beautifully landscaped gardens, foot baths, and private hot tubs. It costs 100 Baht per person and another 40 Baht for the vehicle. I paid 85 Baht for 15-20 minutes (max suggested) to steam in the hot thermal waters. And, of course, I met a couple of fellow soakers from South Korea who helped me enjoy my bath.
Address:
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, 1 Ban Sa Ha Khon, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
https://goo.gl/maps/fxbvbH26b6vLrQ6G9
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