[TRAVELS] Phu Sang National Park / อุทยานแห่งชาติภูซาง @ Phayao, Chiangrai
On the second day of my Chiangrai/Chiangmai trip, the owners of Upcountry Bungalow brought both Vivienne and I to Phu Sang National Park to view the waterfall and hot springs after our yoga, meditation and breakfast sessions. This is another portion of the 2,000 baht tour package other than our Phu Chi Fa tour that I previously wrote about.
Phu Sang National Park
Mu 10, TambonPhu Sang,
AmphoePhu Sang Minor,
Phayao 56110
0 5440 1099
Phu Sang National Park is about 20-30 minutes / 22.3km away from Upcountry Bungalow. When you first alight at the national park, you will be able to see the locals having picnics on the grasses, the water fountain flowing down (7th-10th pictures) and the children swimming in the waters. Remember to bring a hat when hiking at the park as it is very hot, particularly in April (36 degrees). Just for your enlightenment, the park comprises of both a dry evergreen forest and peat swarm forest. The dry evergreen forest has many taller trees such as the ones depicted in third to sixth pictures. Since this is a closed canopy forest, this makes the hiking trail shady and cool. Prior to entering the peat swarm forest, you will be able to go through the Ecotone area, which is the transition zone between the dry evergreen forest and the peat swarm forest. The peat forest is inundated with freshwater and has lesser green plants. The end point of this trip is definitely the hot springs shown in the last two pictures. The pool is about 35 degrees Celsius and 5 meters deep. April is such a hot time to be dipping your hands into the hot springs as the deeper the hot springs, the inner the Earth’s core, the temperature increases.
The explanation of the origins of the hot springs is as follows:
“The meteoric water on the surface percolates deeply into the crust of rocks through the Earth. As water comes into close contact with the molten rock, the high temperature gradient near the molten rock causes the water to be heated and erupted to the surface of the Earth.”
After our arduous hiking trip, we walked around to check out the miniature bazaar around the park. These stalls sell traditional costumes of the native Thai/Laos people. Lastly, we had lunch right beside the park and Nuna ordered sticky rice, som tam, grilled fish, chicken and pork. The som tam was too spicy for me but I love it! Grilled fish was so tasty but I cannot say the same for the chicken and pork. The texture of the pork is too hard for me to chew since I am putting on braces.
OPENING HOURS: 6AM-6PM
PAYMENT METHODS: CASH ONLY! Phu Chi Fa trip coupled with another afternoon trip the day before = 2,000 baht (CAD$73.15 / SGD$77.48/ USD$57.08)
I would definitely recommend hiking at Phu Sang National Park when the weather is cooler during the winter. You have to sweat your heart out of you come during the dry season.
*swisscheese
