380 kms return via Chiang Rai or 400 kms return via Lampang. See map.
Routes 118, 120, 1 & 118. Chiang Mai – Phayao is a great ride over 2 lots of mountains. Phayao is a pretty town beside a large lake. The road Wang Nua – Phayao has magnificent forest cover and beautiful panoramic views of the Phayao lake. Wat Si Khom Kham by the lake in Phayao has some bizarre statues of life in Buddhist hell to bewilder the farang, and is highly recommended for a look.
Night time in Phayao is nice with lots of restaurants beside the lake, to eat and drink at and watch the sun go down in a relaxed atmosphere.
The recommended route to Phayao is Chiang Mai – Mae Kachan – Wang Nua – Phayao; but there are three choices back from Phayao:
- Phayao – Chiang Rai – Wiang Pa Pao – Chiang Mai, the northern route.
- Phayao – Ngao – Lampang – Chiang Mai, the southern route.
- Phayao – Wang Nua – Lampang – Chiang Mai, the indirect route
We prefer to return to Chiang Mai via the northern route Phayao – Chiang Rai – Wiang Pa Pao – Chiang Mai. The recommended stop on this route is Charin Garden / Coffee shop on route # 118, 15.3 kms south of the T junction of routes # 1 & 118 / 6 kms north of Mae Suai. The best coffee & home made cakes & pies in North Thailand!
To see some GT Rider photos & trip reports on the Phayao loop:
1. Phayao and Return.
2. Weekend Blast to Phayao.
3. Phayao – Phrao – Chiang Dao.
4. Phayao Brownie Points Trip.
5. Chiang Rai – Phayao – Chiang Mai.
6. Phayao – Chiang Mai the long way home.
The Phayao loop can be done as a overnight trip from Chiang Mai or as part of a 3-4-5 day Golden Triangle Loop from Chiang Mai. Phayao is on the GT Rider Golden Triangle Loop map.
From Phayao you can also carry onto Nan for a couple of days. See Phayao – Nan Explorer ride.
THE GT RIDER GOLDEN TRIANGLE LOOP MAP
Covers: Chiang Mai – Fang – Tha Ton – Doi Mae Salong – Doi Tung – Mae Sai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Saen – Chiang Khong – Chiang Kham – Phayao – Chiang Mai. Perfect for 4-7 days touring around the Golden Triangle & top end of North Thailand.
This map is a first for the Golden Triangle with
The topography nicely shaded in to give the renowned best selling B&B North Thailand guide map a run for its money.
However the colours in the GT Rider map are arguably more beautiful & carefully selected to make the map significantly clearer than the B&B map.
THE GT RIDER GOLDEN TRIANGLE LOOP MAP DETAIL
9 City Maps on the Golden Triangle Loop. Maps for all the main tourist towns.
1. Fang
2. Tha Ton
3. Doi Mae Salong
4. Mae Sai
5. Sop Ruak (Golden Triangle)
6. Chiang Saen
7. Chiang Khong
8. Phayao
9. Chiang Rai
These city maps feature all important hotels / guesthouses / restaurants / temples / local attractions.
PLUS UP COUNTRY ATTRACTIONS
Elephant Camps on the Golden Triangle Loop
1. Chiang Dao
2. Huay Mae Sai
3. Mae Ping
4. Mae Sa
5. Mae Tamann
6. Ruam Mit
Waterfalls on the Golden Triangle Loop
1. Buathong
2. Champathong
3. Huai Klang Pla
4. Huai Kon
5. Huai Ma Hin Fon
6. Huai Mae Sai
7. Huai Meng
8. Jaeson
9. Mae Sa
10. Mon Hin Lai
11. Phong Pha Bat
12. Pu Kaeng
13. Pusang
14. Tat Luang
15. Tharn Thong
16. Tharn Thong
17. Wang Kaew
Hot Springs on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Fang
2. Huai Sai Kao
3. Jaeson
4. Mae Chan
5. Mae Kachan
6. Nong Khrok
7. Pong Din
Caves (Tham) on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Buddha
2. Chiang Dao
3. Mae Suai
4. Muang Nga
5. Luang
6. Pha Ngam
7. Pet
8. Pla
9. Pong Tham
10. Tub Tao
National Parks on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Chiang Dao NP
2. Chiang Dao WS
3. Doi Luang NP
4. Doi Suthep – Pui NP
5. Doi Wiang Pha NP
6. Hua Mae Kham Forestry
7. Jaeson NP
8. Lum Nam Kok NP
9. Khun Chae NP
10. Mae Fang NP
11. Mae Puem NP
12. Mae Takrai NP
13. Phayaprai Forestry
14. Phu Nang NP
15. Sri Lanna NP
Temples (Wat) on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Analayao
2. Chalerm Prakiet
3. Chedi Anusorn
4. Chedi Luang
5. Doi Kham
6. Doi Mae Pang
7. Doi Nang Lae
8. Doi Saket
9. Doi Suthep
10. Doi Tung
11. Hua Kuan
12. Huai Bong
13. Jee Kong
14. Lampoeng
15. Muen Buddha
16. Pa Ngao
17. Phrao Jao Ton Luang
18. Phu Khao
19. Pong Pha Bat
20. Rong Khun
21. Santikhiri
22. Tha Fa Tai
23. Tha Ta Fa
24. Tham Pa A Cha Thong
25. Tha Ton
Hotels – Resorts – Guesthouses on the Golden Triangle Loop
1. Aeng Doi
2. Anantara
3. Ang Khang Nature Resort
4. Baan Din Laguna
5. Ban Ai
6. Ban Krating
7. Chaeson Hill
8. Chalisa
9. Charin Resort
10. Chiang Dao Hill Resort
11. Chiang Saen Lake Hill
12. Chinda
13. Deva Montra
14. Do Doi Suay
15. Doi Farang
16. Doi Hom Fah
17. Doi Saket Resort
18. Fondcome
19. Four Seasons
20. Golden Pine
21. Granary
22. Green Lake
23. Happy House
24. Holiday Resort
25. Horizon Village
26. Huai Hin Fon
27. Huay Khum
28. Imperial
29. Kang Hang
30. Karen Lodge
31. Khum Chao
32. Laan Tong
33. Labiang Chom Fah
34. Lakehill Park
35. Lanna Princess
36. Lao Lee
37. Log of Paradis
38. Mae Chan Resort
39. Mae Kham Villa
40. Mae Yao Resort
41. Malee Nature Lovers
42. Marissa
43. Mohn Mye Hom
44. Mountain Lodge
45. Mountain View
46. Muang On Homestay
47. My Dream
48. Naga Hill
49. Noks
50. Oriental
51. Pa Nam
52. Phowadol
53. Phu Chai Sai
54. Phu Chi Fah Hill
55. Phu Chi Fah Kun Ton
56. Phu Chom Dao
57. Phu Sawan
58. Pun Luang
59. Pupet
60. Rainato
61. Rai Phu Fa
62. Rai Saeng Arun
63. Rim Chan Resort
64. Rim Doi
65. Rim Taan
66. Rom Fah Siam
67. Roong Aroon
68. Rom Yen
69. Royal Ping Garden
70. Ruan Plai Fah
71. Ruen Mai Phai
72. Ruan View
73. Rujira
74. Rung Tawan
75. Season Nam Kon
76. Sila Manee
77. Suan Kaeo
78. Suk Santi Lodge
79. Taad Luang
80. Tao Garden
81. Tharn Tong
82. Trekker Lodge
83. Suan Thip Vana
84. Wang Nam Yard
85. Wang Tharn Resort
The 85 up-country hotels, resorts / guesthouses, out of the cities, provide people with multiple options to spend their nights in traditional rural towns & villages, out of the urban environment.
Restaurants on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Cabbages & Condoms
2. Charin Resort
3. Coffee De River
4. Mekong Balcony
5. Nai Mai
6. Palm House
7. Rim Khong
8. Rim Tang Miang
9. Thai Kitchen
10. THB
11. Yoong Khao
Other Attractions & Points Of Interest on the Golden Triangle Loop.
1. Akha Outreach
2. Capt Jensen Memorial
3. Chiang Rai Winery
4. Chiang Saen Lake
5. Doi Ang Khang
6. Doi Chang Mup
7. Doi Chiang Dao
8. Doi Langka
9. Doi Luang
10. Doi Mae Salong
11. Doi Mod
12. Doi Phahompok
13. Doi Pha Ngam
14. Doi Pha Mon
15. Doi Phaya Pitak
16. Doi Tung Royal Palace
17. Don Xao Lao Island
18. Fisheries Research Station
19. Golden Triangle
20. Hall Of Opium
21. Huay Hong Khrai
22. Huay Sak Dam
23. Huay Thung Tao
24. Khun Huai Khok
25. Khun Nam Nang Ngon
26. Khun Sa Museum
27. Lahu Museum
28. Mae Fah Luang Garden
29. Mae Fah Luang University
30. Mae Cho University
31. Mae Kuang Dam
32. Mae Mao Dam
33. Mae Ngat Dam
34. Mae Puem Dam
35. Nam Lu Spring
36. Nong Hang Lake
37. Nong Leng Sai Lake
38. Nong Luang Lake
39. Opium Museum
40. Pha Daeng Camp
41. Phayao Lake
42. Phu Chi Fah
43. Pratu Siam
44. Prem Centre
45. Rak Akha
46. Rajabhat CR
47. Raming Tea
48. Sao Hin Lake
49. Speedway Chiang Mai
50. Thai Lue Museum
51. Tiger Park
52. X-Centre
Golf Courses on the GOlden Triangle Loop.
1. Chiang Mai Highland
2. Chiang Mai Lamphun
3. Gassan
4. Green Valley
5. Lanna
6. Royal Chiang Mai
7. Santiburi
8. Waterford
Road Elevation Profiles on the Golden Triangle Loop.
Profiles of the GT’s greatest steepest winding motorcycling roads! These profiles are an absolute winner for cyclists pedaling the Golden Triangle.
1. Route 1340 Arunothai – Doi Ang Khang road
2. Route 1249 The Doi Ang Khang roadf
3. R1130 & R1234 The Doi Mae Salong road
4. R3051 & R4032 Akha Sam Yaek – Thoed Thai Mae Moh road
5. R1334 The Thoed Thai –Doi Tung road
6. R1093 The Phu Chu Fah road.
Take a Golden Triangle Loop map with you to make the most of your ride ‘n tour. You can buy a GT Rider Golden Triangle Loop map here.
