Phayao Lake
Hans Ostertag
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This trip takes you to Phayao Province, northeast of Chiang Mai, with the journey offering scenic mountain roads and excellent riding opportunities. The provincial capital, Phayao, sits beautifully by the large Phayao Lake, known for its great lakeside restaurants, perfect for a leisurely lunch.
On the way, you’ll cross two mountain ranges, one rising to 1,100 m above sea level (ASL) and the other to 900 m ASL, with the valleys at about 250 m ASL. This is one of the few trips where you can truly enjoy a powerful bike like a BMW 1250GS, as Highways 118 and 120 offer wide, smooth curves and fantastic riding conditions.
Keep in mind that while the speed limit is theoretically 90 km/h, the roads are very tempting for faster rides!
Tags:
- Mountain Roads
- Fast Motorbike Riding
- Viewpoints
- Lake-Side Restaurants
Tour Details:
- Route (via Google Maps): 118 → 120 → 118
- Road Conditions: Good asphalt roads and highways
- Distance: Approximately 290 km
- Driving Time (without stops): 6 hours
- Tour Map: Google Maps Link
Itinerary
Starting Point:
R118/R11 Superhighway Junction (near the bus terminal)
Head northeast on R118, a wide divided highway with 4-6 lanes. After about 15 km, you’ll reach the Doi Saket junction, where you can make a quick detour to Wat Doi Saket, beautifully situated on a hill overlooking rice paddies.
After Doi Saket, R118 climbs into the mountains with sweeping curves and smooth pavement, perfect for motorbike enthusiasts.
Optional Detour: Turn right onto R1252, a fantastic mountain road that leads to Jae Son National Park (Tour #38).
Mae Kachan Hot Springs: About 35 km past Doi Saket, as you enter Chiang Rai Province, you’ll find this popular rest stop featuring hot springs, coffee shops, restaurants, and souvenir stalls. It’s an ideal spot to take a break after an exhilarating ride.
Nearby, you’ll find the quirky “Angkor What?“, a somewhat unusual tourist attraction worth a quick look.
R120 to Phayao
Continue 15 km through the valley before turning right onto R120. This stretch takes you through agricultural areas with rolling terrain and offers another fantastic mountain climb.
Waterfalls: Just before the ascent, you can stop at two waterfalls:
- Tan Tong Waterfall
- Tat Mok Waterfall
The next section features a 9 km climb to the Dinosaur Viewpoint, where you’ll cross into Phayao Province. On clear days, the viewpoint offers stunning vistas of Phayao Lake (Khwan Phayao) in the distance.
From the viewpoint, descend via 10 km of twisty roads before another 10 km to the R120/H1 junction. Turn left, and after 8 km, turn left again to reach the lake.
Phayao Lake
The lakeside area is perfect for lunch, with many excellent Thai restaurants and cafés to choose from. A unique attraction is Wat Tilok Aram, located on a small island in the lake, accessible via a short boat trip.
For those staying overnight, Phayao offers a relaxing atmosphere, especially in the evening, with options to explore small roads around the lake and enjoy the tranquil lakeside setting.
Recommended Accommodations:
- RerkDee Bed and Breakfast (budget-friendly)
- Chai Kwan Hotel (mid-range, pleasant)
- M2 Hotel Waterside (upper range, great lake views)
Return Journey
If it’s a day trip, retrace your route back along the same roads for another thrilling ride through the mountains.
This trip emphasizes great riding over sightseeing, making it perfect for motorbike enthusiasts looking for well-maintained roads, stunning views, and a bit of adventure.