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The Mae Kachan Hot Springs is located in Ban Pong Pa Tong, Village No. 14, Mae Chedi Mai Subdistrict, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province. It serves as a popular rest stop for travelers on the route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai to Phayao.
The hot springs feature natural geothermal pools with temperatures reaching 90°C, hot enough to boil eggs. Mae Kachan Hot Springs is a naturally occurring thermal area, with historical significance according to local elders from Ban Pong Nam Ron village.
In the past, before the village was established, the area was a dense forest, once known as Pong Din, where both small and large animals frequently came to consume the mineral-rich soil. Additionally, the hot springs were part of an ancient trade route between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, where merchants traveled on horses and oxen along the mountain ridges. Due to its open flat terrain and the presence of natural hot springs, it was commonly used as a resting place for travelers to stay overnight.
If you’re traveling to Chiang Rai or heading back to Chiang Mai, don’t miss the chance to stop and relax at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs, located at KM 64-65 on the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai route.
In the past, if you were driving from Chiang Mai, you would see the hot springs on the right-hand side, which is the original, historic site of Mae Kachan. However, the area has since been expanded and improved, with a new, spacious, and beautifully developed site on the left-hand side. This newer area offers restaurants, cafés, OTOP product shops, jewelry stores, wood carvings, and souvenir stalls for visitors.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to explore both sides. The left side has a modern and well-maintained atmosphere, while the right side offers a more natural setting, nestled against the mountain slopes.
One of the must-try activities here is boiling eggs in the hot spring pools, where visitors can cook chicken eggs and quail eggs in water heated to around 80°C. The eggs are ready in just 3 minutes, making for a fun and unique experience. Additionally, there are designated foot-soaking areas where travelers can relax their tired feet, as well as mineral bath services for a more rejuvenating break.
