Pha Chor one of the main attractions of the Mae Wang National Park

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

Pha Chor Canyon was created after Ping River changed its course many years ago. The passing of time can change the topography of a place and can create strange sights. First the shift created a hill and after time passed the hill eroded and changed into cliffs and soil pillars.

If you have visited Phae Mueang Phi in Phrae, Phang Ta in Doi Phu Nang National Park, Phayao, or Lalu in Sra Kaew, you can also see the same kind of rock sculptures at Pha Chor.

Today those pillars are 30 meters high around a canopy of forest and covers a large area.

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

Once parked you’ll see a cafe up here, so you can get a bite to eat and cold drink. Before you make the round trip lead down left of the cafe, which is an estimated 45 – 60 minutes max and 400 meters each way.

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

About 20 minutes walk along the paths is pretty chilled out on the way, with the final staircase taking you to the viewpoint.

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

Once at the top, there is a spectacular panoramic view point that overlooks the rugged Pha Chor canyon. When you reach Pha Chor, it was so wonderful that you will forgot your tiredness. Now it’s time to take a photos. The viewpoint is cool as you look over the 30 metre cliffs. Head on down into the area surrounded by the cliffs and get some cool selfies or whatever is your favourite shot.

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

Heading back, you must walk down another long series of steps to the floor of the canyon. From here, an extremely narrow path, takes you on a loop through the eroded rock beds before returning to the foot of the hill for a hot, steep climb back to the car park.

Pha Choi canyon is a great place for family fun or just to take friends to experience one of the most unique parks in norther Thailand. This place is at Mae Wang National park, take about 1 hour drive from Chiang Mai city. It’s the new attraction for hiking & trekking.

 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand
 pha chor, phar choi, chiang mai attractions, attractions in chiang mai, national park in north of thailand

On the way back, you can visit Mae Wang River. Easily accessible from highway 108, When you see little river along with the road then you’ll see homey restaurants on roadside, ask them for a raft floating. Bamboo rafting, tubing and kayaking are all popular on the Mae Wang River while the surrounding hills, home to traditional Hmong and Karen villages, hold excellent trekking possibilities.

How to get to Pha Chor Canyon?

If travelling under your self, Drive from Chiang Mai on Route 3035, until you reach a crossroads with Route 1013. Straight on continues to Chom Thong; left leads to Sanpatong and Lamphun while right is signposted Mae Wang. A couple of kilometres up the Mae Wang road you’ll reach Ban Kat village and a kilometre further you’ll see another turning on the left clearly marked Mae Wang National Park. It’s signposted all the way and the entrance lies approximately 12 kilometres from Ban Kat.

Unfortunately, There is no public transport to the park itself. You can hire a taxi from one of the travel agencies in Chiang Mai, or The nearest you can get is Ban Kat by songthaew from Chiang Mai, which costs 30 baht. From here you’ll have to take a moto taxi whose driver you’d negotiate with in front of Ban Kat market.

Entrance fee & opening hours : The entrance fee for a foreigner is 100 Baht, plus a fee for a motorbike of 20 Baht. Open from 08.30 am. to 04.30 pm.

Note : Not accessible for wheelchair user

Our services :

For this tour you can combine with other program for 1 day tour.

Example for Nearby area  : Grand Canyon Chiang Mai, Baan Tawai, Royal flora Ratchaphruek, Chiang Mai Night Safari, Doi Kham temple

Please Contact Us.

Pha Chor Map