Mae Kachan Hot Spring (Mae Ka Chan)

Found along the main route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, the Mae Kachan Hot Spring makes a welcome pit-stop for travelers between the two cities. Day trips to Chiang Rai or the Golden Triangle often include a visit to the hot springs along the way.

After admiring the park’s centerpiece—a small geyser that shoots water up into the air—spend some time relaxing at one of the many restaurants or soak your feet in one of the steamy pools. The highlight, of course, is the chance to boil your own egg in the natural springs.

• There is an admission fee to enter the hot springs; a number of vendors sell raw or cooked eggs.

• The hot springs are not really suitable for bathing—most visitors opt to soak their feet.

• Facilities include restrooms, souvenir shops, and a number of restaurants and food vendors.

• The site is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

The Mae Kachan Hot Spring is located just off Highway 118, about 45 miles (73 kilometers) northeast of Chiang Mai. Driving or joining a day trip is the best way to go.

The hot springs are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Most tour buses arrive in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when the small site can get quite crowded. It’s also a popular spot for lunch, with a number of restaurant options.

Thailand’s northernmost city, Chiang Rai is a popular day-trip destination from Chiang Mai. After stopping at the hot springs along the way, head straight to Chiang Rai’s most memorable attractions—the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seur Ten). Many day tours here include Singha Park for hiking, ziplining, and tea plantation visits; or a trip into the Golden Triangle region, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet.

The best time to visit Mae Kachan Hot Spring is first thing in the morning when it opens to the public. The busiest time is between mid-morning and mid-afternoon when tour buses bring in loads of people. If you're visiting independently or on a private tour, arrive early.

Yes, there is an entrance fee to access Mae Kachan Hot Spring, although some tours that stop at the springs may include admission fees. You may want to pack cash to buy eggs to boil or to pay for snacks or souvenirs.

You don’t need to bring much when visiting Mae Kachan Hot Spring. You can buy eggs on-site to boil in the hot springs water. Swimming isn’t a thing, so don't bring a swimsuit or a towel. Wear sandals that are easy to slip on and off to soak your feet.

Yes, there are facilities at Mae Kachan Hot Spring. These include restrooms, souvenir shops, and vendors selling eggs that you can then hard boil in the thermal waters. Plenty of food vendors also sell snacks and full-on meals, including proper restaurants that draw in lunchtime visitors.

No, you cannot swim in the hot springs at Mae Kachan. Most of the pools are too small for swimming and are more suited for egg cooking or feet soaking. Many visitors dip their feet in a trough-like thermal pool for a relaxing soak.

Yes, there are nearby attractions and activities to combine with a visit to Mae Kachan Hot Spring. Tours connecting Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai often include a stop at the springs before visiting attractions such as the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple).