Phrao

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The small market town of Phrao has few formal "attractions" -- save a hilltop temple -- but no shortage of tranquillity to offer travellers.

Precious few foreign travellers make it to Phrao -- partly because it isn't covered in many guidebooks, in itself surprising given just how accessible it is to Chiang Mai and even to Chiang Dao.

Set in a stunning wide, rice-filled valley, Phrao is reminiscent of Pai many years ago, particularly when the rice is just about to be harvested, giving the valley an emerald green sheen.

The surrounding area is dotted with interesting small villages where day to day rural life can be observed at a relaxed pace.

You can walk or cycle from village to village, tour a smattering of small wats and hike up to great hilltop viewpoints.

While the main accommodation is a little out of town, again that's half the attraction -- as the main town itself has little of interest.

Set at the crossroads of Route 1150 and 1001, around 100km from Chiang Mai, a visit to Phrao works in well if you're travelling under your own steam and are looking to keep off the main roads between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for example, or Chiang Dao and Phayao if you're travelling east west.

A highly underrated destination.

Text and/or map last updated on 11th August, 2009.

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Phrao reviews

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Phrao is an absolutely stunning and scenic countryside village to visit. I've been living here for the past month doing volunteer work for Warm Heart Worldwide, which is located in Phrao. One of the best parts of living here is just being surrounded by such natural beauty all day. You can explore batcave temples, beautiful waterfalls, temples with mountaintop views of the valley, and dinosaur wats--all while embracing the scenic drives of the rice paddy-lined roads. The best part of being here is that you feel like you have these sights all to yourself as there are completely no tourists around these places.

In the town of Phrao itself which consists of four or five main streets, there is a central market where you can buy food and small housewares, a well-run massage spa (1 hour Thai massage will cost you 129 baht), a very cute and inexpensive coffee shop called Coffee Green owned by two sweet sisters, a 24-hour Tesco and 7-eleven, and a handful of good restaurants (some of which even have English menus).

There's not much nightlife outside of the town's one karaoke bar as pretty much shuts down after 8PM, but you're here for the beautiful scenery during the day anyway. There are a handful of bungalows and hotels such as 83 bungalows in Phrao which have air conditioned bungalows for about 600b a night, Phradit Hotel near the hospital, and Amdoi Resort which is a beautiful resort compound a few km away from Phrao. Rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai and make the hour and a half drive here. It's a straight shot down 1001 from Chiang Mai. It will be worth it.
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- I'll be back (or not)
By adventuregeek (dabbler)
Written on 20th September, 2011 after a visit to Phrao in September, 2011

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