3 hidden gems in Chiang Mai Province. A perfect day trip motorcycle ride in the outer regions of Chiang Mai, (Samoeng, Ban Pong & Mae Wang), incorporating 3 unusual hidden and lesser-known gems.
I planned to take a few hours out for a quick ride/explore in the Samoeng area of Chiang Mai province, but I was enjoying myself so much that it turned into a 9-hour ride/explore. I had a brilliant day looking around, including finding a hidden Vietnamese temple in Samoeng Neau Valley.
3 Hidden Gems
Route Map
I began this ride just before 8 am and headed north with the plan of doing an anti-clockwise loop. If you wish to follow the same loop, I recommend starting early.
The quieter roads tend to bring up some fun and interesting sights. Such as this peacock sign:
..and of course the obligatory cows on the road.
The morning then took an amazing turn, due to this incredible hidden temple in the Samoeng Neua valley….
1: Hidden Temple
I am proud to say that I put this hidden gem temple on the motorcycle map. It truly was tucked away and hidden from sight and it was purely by exploring nooks and crannies that I found it. This temple now has a cleared entrance and more visitors have been to see it.
Cực Lạc Cảnh Giới Tự / Wat Pa Sukawadee
It is easy to miss the entranceway, so keep an eye out. (In fact, I had ridden past the entrance many times over the years and had no idea the temple was there.)
Riding through the entrance gates to this hidden gem feels a little like walking through a Narnia wardrobe into a forgotten time and place!
There was nobody around at this time, except for some well-looked-after dogs. At first I wondered if it was abandoned due to the condition of the temple, but it certainly had signs of life, (albeit odd random ones, such as a vacuum cleaner in the deck area).
Dotted around are solar panel lights and speakers, and many of the lights are done in beautiful and interesting ways, such as cherry blossom flowers and lotus leaves in the water.
The speakers quietly chant in Vietnamese, which makes for a surreal experience.
When the sun sets this area looks beautiful, with the soft solar lighting. I found this image from this Vietnamese website of how the temple looks lit up. Hopefully, the lights still work well enough to recreate this beautiful scene. (Update: Unfortunately, this website now seems to be offline)
I tried to find more information about the temple after my ride via Google, and the best source I came up with is this fantastic video from 9 years ago (update: unfortunately, this video has now been made private). The video shows the temple buildings (without the statues) and why it was built (as a meditation and training place for monks).
There used to be also a couple of websites with info, but in Vietnamese:
WEBSITE 1
WEBSITE 2
– but sadly now also offline.
There is, however, an active Facebook Page.
Areas have been left unfinished and it would seem it’s been that way for many years. The whole area is quite overgrown and full of slippery moss.
Signs of life…
From my research, it would seem that the temple originally began construction in 2005 with a budget of 3 million USD
Very interesting, very hidden, but yet right under our noses in Chiang Mai! I have passed by this entrance many times and yet, had no idea it was there.
I enjoyed walking around the temple for a while, then when a coffee craving hit I left in search of a coffee shop.
On the way to get my morning coffee, I saw this interesting new temple stairway being built. Location HERE.
I stopped for coffee at one of my favourite coffee shops in the area.
As an aside, around this area is a great off-road track, leading to Wat Luang Khun Win and out to Mae Wang. The dirt track info is HERE
After coffee, I had a bit of an exploration for a few hours.
2: A Train Resort
The Royal Train Garden Resort is a pretty hidden gems resort with a view of lush rice paddy fields and features interesting old trains. It is a perfect place to stop for lunch.
After lunch, I rode onwards to Mae Wang via back routes to visit the huge four-standing Buddhas at Wat Doi Sapphanyu.
En route this happened…
3: Buddhas & Bees
Wat Doi Sapphanyu is a stunning hidden gem temple with three large standing Buddhas.
The walk up is quite a climb but the view at the top is stunning. (Alternatively, you can ride/drive around the side and up to the top instead of walking)
The Buddha statues are huge!
Normally, bees live under one or more of these statues. Buddha is taking care of the bees. Isn’t that just lovely!
On the way down I noticed the Naga dragon was holding some Baht notes.
I also met with a rather frightened Green Tree Snake.
In my opinion, this is a great day out. I hope you will visit these hidden gems and hopefully, the trip report has provided you with some ideas. For more on the route, check out the video compilation.
Safe travels!
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I love your reports khun Zed . You seem to ride whit out a big strict plan, explore what comes up during the ride.
I am sure I will see you around some next corner I come on my” path ”
Looking forward to your next adventure and what the west turn out to be
Per
I am glad you enjoy them Per..and I am sure we will cross paths some time when out and about!
As for planning, I tend to have a loose idea about what my riding goal or route is for each ride, but then allow room within the plan (or allow the plan to be scrapped if something better comes up).
In that way rides are fun and more spontaneous in my opinion.
Too much can go wrong or be stressful if a strict plan is in place. Riding for me should be about adventure and fun..and a too rigid plan can take away from that I think.
Safe travels.. I really enjoy reading your reports also!
Thanks Zed, another couple places I will consider for my next ride there. Actually I started working on the routing for it this week and I think I will detour to see that wat. Regards, Warren.
Great stuff as usual! Keep it up! Please fix the PayPal donation button when you have a chance – it forwards me to PayPal with $5 in the shopping cart, no matter what amount I select (macOS, Chrome 77)
Thank you so much for letting me know about the button. I “think” I have fixed and thank you for wanting to do that for me! I am not so great with the website side of things, so I messed up the code.
Really appreciated 🙏