Mae On

Where is it? Heading southeast out of the city towards San Kampaeng, it’s just 45 minutes to Mae On, another rural little town surrounded by fields, coffee and cocoa plantations and a mountain that’s popular with rock climbers. 

Why we love it: If rock climbing is your thing – this is the spot. Within said rock, tucked into the mountainside,  – a humbling 187 steps up – is popular devotional site Wat Tham Muang On, a cave temple that’s a must visit. After ascending the staircase through the forest, the cool limestone cave filled with Buddha statues and stalactites is an extremely peaceful and slightly mysterious space to meditate or make your offerings. The views are well worth the climb too. Mae On is also the home of the confusingly named San Kamphaeng Hot Springs (it’s on the border of the two districts really). This rather large hot spring park has steaming geysers and several mineral water pools. Soak your feet in the public foot baths, book a private bath or relax in the bigger, public swimming style pools fed by the hot springs. There are also shady picnic areas and little streams where locals love to chill out for the afternoon. If you like your soaks a little fancier, Mae On’s Sense Onsen is happy to provide private piping hot baths, ready and waiting before or after you indulge in the spa’s lengthy massage menu.

Time Out tip: Our faves at Skugga Estate, a classy restaurant and cafe situation, grow their own coffee and cocoa on site, as well as a sizable, albeit still in the test stage, vineyard. Snacks there are best enjoyed with one of their artisanal hot chocolates or  iced coffees, or go for the Sunday brunch menu for unlimited food from 10am-4pm, best paired with their own wine.