Huai Tueng Thao Lake near Chiang Mai
Huai Tueng Thao Lake near Chiang Mai is one of our favourite places to visit when we are in the area. Slightly off the regular tourist route, it has a bit of everything: good walks, plenty of wildlife, family fun, abseil route across the lake and a LOT of places to eat – it is Thailand after all!
Sunday Dinner
In our travels we have found out that many countries enjoy a special family dinner on a Sunday – and this lake is where locals go to meet family and friends on their days off. The first thing you notice when you arrive at the lake is the little huts on stilts right around the edge of the lake - these are where you eat. Choose a hut with a view, take your shoes off and sit on the floor around the low tables – someone will soon come with a menu ready to serve you.
We were invited to join a Thai/Burmese family as three generations plus friends met up for a Sunday afternoon feast. We left food ordering up to the locals - and the food kept coming – poached fish, grilled chicken, grilled frog legs, shrimp rice, tofu soup, tempura morning glory and a series of spicy sauces to accompany each dish. In addition, grandma had bought a few of her speciality dishes – spicy ant egg salad, pickled mini aubergines with dry fish and a fermented cabbage salad. All the food was put in the middle, shared and washed down with copious amounts of Thai whisky (a rum) served with soda and ice.
The family was very impressed that we tried everything and could cope with the spice – for me the most challenging dish was the tofu as I really was not keen on the texture of the boiled tofu balls. We felt very honoured to join in this family tradition.
On a Sunday (and holidays) these huts are full of locals. The children enjoy playing in the water - the roped off bit is very shallow and it is nice to pop in and out of the water from the huts. Predictably I was the only adult without a child to go for a swim.
Our other two visits to the park were on weekdays where it was very quiet. On both occasions we enjoyed food and a beer in the huts. We love Thai food and when we are in Chiang Mai city there are many restaurants that serve Thai food but more aimed at westerners. At Huai Tueng Thao the food is aimed at locals and can be quite challenging – I loved the ‘hundred year eggs’ but found some of the offal in the laarb impossible to eat! Laarb is a herby, spicy meat salad which is normally a favourite dish, but when it includes intestines I am not so sure.
Huai Tueng Thao waterfall walks
This lake area is not just about food. It is a glorious place to walk – the perimeter path around the lake is nice enough on a quiet day giving views across the lake and up to the mountains. You are likely to see plenty of birdlife too – look out for kingfishers, bee eaters and red-wattled lapwing. On the far side of the lake there are several paths up through the forest and to the waterfalls. The first time we went we had a very enjoyable walk without ever finding the most spectacular waterfall.
This year, however, we once again joined the local walking group - read about the Porcupine Walk here Starting at the King Kong end of the lake (turn right at the entrance) you head out with King Kong and the other animals to your right past the toilet block and follow a very obvious path up the hill. Sign posts will take you up to the very pleasant waterfall, where, in the dry season at least, you can enjoy a refreshing shower where the water tumbles over the rocks. This is an easy out and back walk, although it is quite a climb on a hot day.
King Kong and the animals
There is plenty for all the family at Huai Tueng Thao Lake, as if swimming and pedalos are not enough there are several large animal statues to explore – including King Kong, elephants and birds. They are huge – large enough to have steps inside and to be used as climbing frames. They also offer perfect photo opportunities – something else that Thai people love. It all makes for good fun and as this leisure area is still being expanded a reason to return again in the future.
Getting there
The lake is about 13 km outside Chiang Mai and easy to reach if you have hired a scooter or motorbike – as long as you are happy on the hectic roads. We opted for a taxi booked via the Grab app, which was fine taking us there, but rather tricky getting someone to bring us back. We learned our lesson the second time and booked the driver who took us there to come and pick us up later. There is a small fee to enter the Park, but parking and toilets around the lake are all free.
