San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

The San Kamphaeng Hot Springs are a popular destination for both locals and tourists, located about thirty to forty minutes east of the Chiang Mai city centre. Like many of this area’s best attractions, the easiest way to visit the springs is to rent a car in Chiang Mai through Drive Car Rental. 

Our convenient location at Chiang Mai Airport allows travellers to fly in and drive away immediately. Once you’re behind the wheel, you can see the San Khamphaeng Hot Springs and other notable sites within an hour’s drive. 

Things to See on the Way to San Kamphaeng

The easiest route to San Kamphaeng is to head east on Highway 1096. Along this road, various attractions can be found, such as:

Bo Sang Umbrella Making Centre

Thailand has a long-running programme known as ‘OTOP,’ which stands for ‘One Tambon, One Product.’ Under this programme, various small towns across Thailand specialise in a particular type of handicraft. In Bo Sang, the product is handmade mulberry paper umbrellas. 

For more than a century, this handicraft has endured in Bo Sang. Visitors to the umbrella-making centre can see local craftspeople making these amazing umbrellas entirely by hand. Each step is completed by a specialist, including the final painting stage, which makes these umbrellas come alive with intricate floral patterns. 

Muang On Cave

This natural limestone cave is set into a large limestone karst that stands alone above the nearby landscape. Like many caves across Thailand, there is local Buddhist lore and small shrines dedicated to it. 

Visitors can see small Buddha images, enter the cave, or climb to the top of the karst for an excellent view of the valley. The opening is a short climb up stairs that lead from the parking lot, and visitors can descend into the hill some hundred metres or more. 

There are stairs inside, and it is well lit. Inside the cave, you’ll find Buddhist shrines and artwork. 

Rural Restaurants and Coffee Shops

Perhaps one of the best things about driving through rural Thailand are the restaurants and coffee shops that dot the roadside. Everything from casual local fare to fine dining is available in the area. 

Most of these stops are surrounded by nature or gardens. Flowers, plants, koi ponds, and fruit trees are the norm out here. 

Have a look on Google Maps to see which respite might whet your appetite. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is right between the rainy and dry seasons, around the end of October and just before the tourist high season. 

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

The hot springs are located just to the northwest of the Muang On Cave. Entrance fees are reasonable, at around 300 Thai Baht, or less than £7.50. 

The grounds of the hot springs are fairly large, with a small stream, gardens, cafes, and a number of vendor stalls and shops selling handmade items, skincare products, and herbal remedies. Guests are encouraged to purchase fresh eggs in a simple bamboo basket and boil them in the scalding hot water of the main springs. 

For a small additional fee, visitors can swim in a warm spring-fed pool where they can relax their tired muscles. Just make sure to bring a bathing suit and towel. If you want to stay in the area overnight, Mae Kampong village in the nearby mountains is just forty-five minutes away.

Go Further With Drive Car Rental

Drive Car Rental has locations across Thailand’s major tourist hubs and provincial capitals. We have a wide selection of vehicles, including SUVs, sedans, compacts, luxury vehicles, and electrics like BYD and Tesla. If you’re planning on visiting during the tourist high season of November to April, make sure you book in advance to get the best selection and rates. 

Long-stay tourists, expats, and business travellers can take advantage of our discounted monthly and annual rentals that come with free maintenance and roadside assistance. Visit our website today to see our full selection of vehicles and locations throughout Thailand!