Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is a nice place to get away from the city and crowds

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is a lovely place to chill for the lazy day. On a sunny day, this is a luxurious place for swimming, fishing and relaxation.

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir a man made reservoir at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, just a few kilometers north-west of the Chiang Mai city center. The lake is used for swimming and is a well known picnic area.

Chiang Mai doesn’t have a beach (er obviously), but what it does have is this peaceful reservoir at the foot of the mountains. It’s the ideal place to head on a hot day, with cool water and amazing views.

There’s plenty of food to be eaten there, of varying standards. Where you eat will depend on which little wooden hut you choose to while away the afternoon in by the water. After choosing your Bamboo huts location, some on stilts above the water and some floating on rafts. Both ideal for a relaxing day out of the baking sun. Each hut belongs to a restaurant, however in true Thai style you only have to order drinks, you are free to bring your own food if you like. Or you can order typical northern Thai dishes such as sticky rice, papaya salad, grilled or fried pork and chicken. They also serve whole fish by weight. You can buy beer and cold drinks, too.

The restaurant’s menus are written in both Thai and English. However, the staff doesn’t speak much English, so pointing and holding up fingers is the way to order if you don’t speak restaurant Thai. There are also vendors who walk around selling fruit, fried insects and ice cream.

Its ideal to take the bike and cycle around the lake on the circular road around the perimeter of the lake. There is a zip-line experience which is good fun with a final zip line trip across the end of the lake (where you’ll probably get wet!), a bit expensive but ok for fun. A picnic at the lake is ideal. There are some water playthings for kids, pedal boats, etc.

This little known gem is Huay Tung Tao Reservoir, only a few miles outside the city. It also happens to be absolutely beautiful.

Operating day : Monday – Sunday

Operating time : 09.00 – 17.00

Address : Don Kaeo Sub-District, Mae Rim District   Chiang Mai 50180

There is a park fee : 50 baht per foreigner and 20 baht per Thai person.

How to get there :

Huay Tung Tao is about 20 minutes from Chiang Mai city centre. If you have a car, it’s an easy drive. Just follow Canal Rd. to the east until you pass the Chiang Mai Convention Centre and then the 700 Year Stadium. The lake is about 2km on the left. Look for a large blue sign. You can also rent a sangthaew (the red pickup buses) to the lake and arrange a time to be picked up. This will cost around 400 – 500 THB, so its best to go with a group.

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