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	---> MORE Destinations: _________________________________ New Perspective of Chiang Rai at Latitude 19 VISITING A BORDER TOWN: Mae Sot – then and now The Poy Sang Long Festival in Mae Hong Son The Samoeng Strawberry Festival Far Out and Cool in Fang District PICTURE PERFECT Mon Jaem Chiang Mai Reflections and a Night Safari Adventure Wat Palad: The Temple below the Temple The Bua Tong Waterfall Park The Cave and Hot Springs of the Mae On Area A DAY TRIP TO DOI INTHANON Two wheels good four wheels…er… The Sino-Thai Dragon Temple of Wat Tha Ton Doi Inthanon - Thailand’s Highest Mountain Kad Mua - an all-you-need market Chiang Dao High! Chiang Mai’s Red Cross and Winter Fair Loy Krathong at Tak A RETREAT TO... Kwan Yin Bodhisattva Hall Living with nature: Galyani Vadhana District Treasures of Myanmar A Journey to Shangri-La Pha Wing Choo – A Lover's Cliff Wiangtakan – The Past Remains Rural Life and Natural Mystery in Chaiprakarn Taking Aim at Chiang Mai's Shooting Gallery Chiang Mai - Maerim - Samoeng Route Hot Springs (and eggs) Ratchaphruek Festival 2009 The 5th Lanna - Japan Festival 2009 Make a Day of it at the New Look Night Safari Mae Sa Snake Farm Marine Lives in a Mountainous Zoo X-Centre Mae Hong Son, Pang Oong and much more along the way... Mae Kampong Village Tiger Kingdom Pai: The Hub of Joy Flower Festival Annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival at Bo Sang Village Wiang Kum Kam: The Underground Ancient City Loy Kratong: The Town's Joyful Festival Monkey Centre Maerim, Chiang Mai Baankwai Thai Maerim Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden THE ROYAL PALACE ON DOI SUTHEP The Night Safari Ban Saonak Chae Son National Park Lamphun's Wat Chamathevi Doi Tao Lake Mae Sai Bai the Beautiful Wieng Kum Kam Mae Klang Luang Village Doi Pui - Hmong Tribal Village Nan Province Wat Suan Dok Chiang Saen: a city in myth and reality One Night in Chiang Rai and a day across the border A trip full of tour guides Two Days and a Night in the Country The Sumptuous Angkhang Gourmet Tour AWAY FROM IT ALL IN NEARBY MAE WANG Children's Day at the Westernmost Point of Thailand To Lamphun Along the Road of Histories ESCAPING TO PAI A WINTER TRIP ON THE PING RIVER To the Back of Beyond, right on your doorstep Visiting the Shrine of the Elephant-Headed God Visiting Samui Back to Nature at Opkhan National Park Lost in the Chiang Mai Zoo Three Days through the Northern Countryside DOING A NINE-TEMPLE KARMA TRIP - Right Here in Chiang Mai An Early Summer Trip to the Thi Lo Su Falls Nan: Forest, Temples and the Salt of the Earth TREKKING AND TUCKING IN: Wawee Coffee Plantation Mai Long Yee - Lovely Whatever Else You Call It Magnificent Creatures at Wat Changkham Off to See Some Mural Paintings in Lampang The Salawin and the People of Tha Tafang A Hike in the Forest A Journey back in time A Long Night of Luxury in the Chiang Dao Valley Ice-cold in Omkoy A Quick Visit to a Karen Wedding Strawberry Fields Forever A quick ride to Jaesorn National Park A Journey to Wawee A Birding Trip for Newbies Nam Bor Phi Cave A Breath of Sea Air Shopping With a Difference: Kad Luang Airport ELEPHANTS AND ORCHIDS AND THE SNACKS IN BETWEEN Monsoon Miscellany MAE RIM LAGOON AN IMPRESSIVE TRIP - to the Sukantara Resort Visiting Luang Prabang, the Pearl on the Mekong River Phrae: refreshing trip, auspicious visits Up on the Mountain (again) at Khun Wang UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THUNG LUANG SINGAPORE - City of Parks A Short Sight-Seeing Trip to the Monkey Centre GIVE PAI A TRY! You won’t regret it A BUSY DAY’S VISIT TO SANKAMPAENG A Rainy Day Outing to Phrao Monsoon Miscellany TRIPPING AND TASTING ALONG THE HANDICRAFT HIGHWAYS

Pha Wing Choo – A Lover's Cliff

If you’ve ever been to the Grand Canyon and can still see the stunning, natural beauty of it in your mind, then you can imagine this issue’s recommended destination, Pha Wing Choo. While not as grand as the one found in America, you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to see this natural phenomenon, located right here in Chiang Mai’s Hod district, about 100 kilometers from downtown.

Actually, there are several places in Thailand with a similar kind of superb, natural beauty. For example, the Pae Mung Phi in Prae, or Sao Din Nanoi in Nan. However, Pha Wing Choo is situated on the banks of the Ping River. Geologically speaking, it’s a high rock cliff covering an area 250 meters west of the river and 25 meters high. Tourists often venture up the cliff to catch a bird’s eye view, which offers a picturesque look at the pole-shaped rocks in strange formations against a backdrop of a clear blue sky, the slopes of Pui Mountain and the flow of the Ping River, making it a favorite destination for photographers.

Legend has it that once upon a time two forbidden lovers ran away, riding a horse to Pha Wing Choo. There, the runaways ended their lives together, jumping off the high cliff to the bottom of the Ping River. This legend is probably the inspiration for the name of this famous destination. Pha (rising tone) is the Thai word for cliff, wing means run, and choo could be referring to choo rak, which means lover. In addition to being a great family destination, the cliffs are also cherished for their dramatic, romantic energy. Lovers can be found gazing at the sun as it sets behind the mountain, or watching the rainfall over the lush green grass. Nothing could be more romantic!

In addition to Pha Wing Choo, Hod district is home to other worthy tourist destinations. For example, the giant Buddha image, Phra Chao To, which was built by the quasi-historical Princess Chamadevi in memory of the townspeople who perished during one of her wars and the hardship that followed. Princess Chamadevi established the town of Hod, once known as a transportation hub due to its proximity to the river, and ruled over it for three years before returning to Hariphunchai (her old capital - now Lamphun).

To get to Pha Wing Choo from Chiang Mai city, take the Chiang Mai – Hod road. When you reach Hod district, where the road swings right for Mae Sariang follow the 1012 south to Hod – Nalung. You’ll pass Baan Dong Dam and Baan Hod Luang, and three kilometers after Baan Hod Luang, turn left at the intersection. Follow the road across the bridge to Baan Dong Dam. One kilometer past Baan Dong Dam, turn left at the intersection toward Pha Wing Choo. Another route to Pha Wing Choo is the Hod – Doi Tao road, no. 1103. Fifteen kilometers from Hod, or around kilometer 53, turn right at the intersection toward Baan Dong Dam. Drive for three kilometers and turn right onto a rocky road. After about one kilometer you’ll arrive at Pha Wing Choo. Don’t worry if you get lost. Just follow the road heading to the Ping River and you’ll find - and enjoy - it.