Independent hotels in San Kamphaeng

San Kampaeng is a district to the east of Chiang Mai which is most famous for its silk umbrella industry and a wide selection of outlets selling lovely handmade jewellery and souvenirs. The district is also home to golf courses, a holy cavern complex and curative hot springs. Due to the diverse nature of San Kampaeng’s attractions it is a rare occurrence for tourists to pass up the chance of visiting.

The so-called Handicraft Highway and Bo Sang Village are the most important of San Kampaeng’s tourism delights and only 12kms from central Chiang Mai. Heading away from the populated areas towards Mae On and its outdoor activities venues, the route passes the entry roads for Muang On Cave and San Kampaeng Hot Springs. The cavern complex features a long serpent-sided stairway and a large number of shrines. Two hot springs locations provide bathing in rejuvenating waters.

For golfers, the Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort boasts one of the best courses in the country and has stunning views from every fairway and green. In the Tonpao sub-district of San Kampaeng, a well-designed mini-golf course provides fun for the whole family. Wat Pa Tung is the finest of several Buddhist temples in this area of Chiang Mai province.

Eating options in San Kampaeng District are primarily limited to Thai cuisine although there is the occasional restaurant with an expatriate co-owner with Italian or Swiss dishes on the menu. The small restaurants serve the usual staples of noodle soups and rice dishes with spicy meat. Choosing a larger establishment usually provides more choice, with gourmet freshwater-fish dishes and other specialties available. Most eateries sell alcoholic drinks, but there are few bars in the vicinity.

Shopping is the principal reason many visitors travel to San Kampaeng and the choice of quality handmade articles is truly amazing. Products sold in San Kampaeng are generally cheaper and more varied than in Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar or shopping malls. Silk parasols and fans with bamboo frames are the typical Bo Sang memento. Other excellent San Kampaeng souvenirs include celadon pottery jars, wood carvings, ornate lacquerware, silver jewellery and sa paper notebooks and greetings cards.