Doi Inthanon National Park, about 80 kilometres southwest of Chiang Mai, contains Thailand's highest peak (2,565 metres) and some of the most dramatic scenery in the north. The summit is cool and often wreathed in mist even when the city is hot; temperatures can drop below 10°C in December. The contrast with the Thai lowlands is striking.
The park is most famous for its waterfalls — Mae Klang, Wachirathan, and Siriphum are the most visited — and for its bird life, particularly around the summit where hill evergreen forest gives way to stunted trees and mossy ground. Two royal chedis built by the Thai air force in honour of the king and queen stand near the summit with panoramic views when the clouds part. Most visitors come on day tours from Chiang Mai; a jeep or motorcycle is needed to reach the higher trails.