Lake Sao Hin Phayanak with a Cave near Mae Sai

Very close to the monkey temple (Wat Tham Pla) there is a really romantic place: a lake that seems enchanted in the evening or early morning hours with a rickety wooden bridge to the other shore, where a relatively small, semi-dark cave is waiting.

Stefan in Thailand am Sao Hin Phayanak See bei Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, NordthailandIn the morning there is often fog over the lake. Then the lake looks particularly beautiful with the jungle-covered slopes in the back. As far as I know, the bridge is maintained by the nearby temple to maintain access to the cave with Buddha. Again and again new planks or wooden poles are nailed to the wooden bridge to make it last. In a small shop run by the temple you can buy fish food and enjoy the many catfish.

I was told that a dragon lives in the lake. Is that why nobody goes swimming here?

UPDATE 2018: The picturesque wooden bridge is now replaced by a stone bridge. It was too much work for the temple to renew the bridge every year after the rainy season. A pity, but understandable.

Extra Tip

Bambushain-sbCross the bridge and follow the path to the right to reach a fairly flat spot on the lakeshore. A little further up the slope is a mighty bamboo grove. The single trunks are more than arm-thick and you can see very nicely how they all grow from one root.

Place on Google Maps

Food and drink

Small pavilions at a restaurant invite you to feast and chill out.

BACK to the overview of sightseeing trips around Chiang Rai and Mae Sai

Eingang Tham Sao Hin Phayanak-sbTham Sao Hin Phayanak-sb

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