Day trip to the Bua Tong waterfall in Chiang Mai
In Thailand, one does not look at a waterfall more or less. How many would there be in this country? One hundred, two hundred or maybe a thousand, ranging from imposing majestic waterfalls to simple, but no less impressive down streams.
I can endlessly enjoy that flowing water, it is soothing and makes you realize how beautiful nature can be.
Bua Tong Waterfalls
An English friend of mine, who recently made a number of day trips from Chiang Mai with his Thai girlfriend, told me about this waterfall. It is not a spectacular example of a Thai waterfall, but they still spent an entertaining afternoon.
There are 5 levels and each of them is a great place to sit and enjoy your surroundings. The rocks mainly consist of limestone with an almost creamy white color and because of the limestone the water also appears crystal blue. The whole forms a beautiful contrast with the green trees.
There are no places to swim, but you can cool off just by sitting in one of the small 'pools' at the base of the falls. But do not sit alone, because the intention is of course that the visitor climbs to the top of the waterfall. That trip then goes upstream over the rocks, which are not slippery due to the limestone so that it is easy to climb. You don't even need shoes with those rocks, which sometimes feel like pumice, but can also be a little prickly at times. Some help is provided by a rope along the route, but count on not keeping it completely dry.
The top of the waterfall
The prize for the climb is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and forests. It is the picnic spot for Thai visitors and even has a small pool for children to enjoy.
Holy place
Once at the top, keep an eye out for the signs that lead to a sacred spring, Nam Phu Chet Si. The crystal clear water in this source is said to have a beneficial effect. There are sticks with cups available and water to draw from the spring, not to drink, but to pour over you. Whether it indeed has a beneficial effect remains to be seen, but in any case it provides some cooling when the weather is warm.
Directions
From Chiang Mai, take road number 1001 towards Phrao. You pass Mae Jo University and a few villages, where you can rest, eat and drink. With about 18 kilometers to go the waterfall is announced on a metal sign, then a while later another sign indicating that you should now turn right. After that, one cannot miss the waterfall.
Finally,
There are several websites that provide information about the Bua Tong waterfall. On the Blond travels site, of which I have also used parts of the text, there are a number of beautiful photos, see: www.theblondtravels.com/bua-tong-sticky-waterfalls-chiang-mai
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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If you go to the waterfall, make a stop 1 km before you reach the waterfall.
On the right is a temple, after a steep climb you can also visit a beautiful cave.
If you want to end the day nicely, turn right after returning to the main road. After about 10 km, turn right under a temple arch. A few km further you will come to a beautiful temple in Lanna style.
Greetings Wim.
Was quite fun to do, would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area.