Rating: 3.4/5 (13 votes)

Open Days: Generally open daily (recommended to visit during daytime and avoid periods after heavy rain, as the cliff is subject to ongoing erosion and instability)

Opening Hours: Generally 08:00 – 17:00 (depending on area management and weather conditions)

 

Pha Wing Chu is a natural and geological attraction located in Ban Dong Dam, Hod Subdistrict, Hod District, Chiang Mai Province. What makes this place distinctive is not only the scenic cliffside views, but the opportunity to observe a “landscape that is still in motion” — shaped by active geological processes occurring in real time. Pha Wing Chu clearly reflects the relationship between the Ping River, fault movements within the Earth’s crust, and continuous erosion caused by wind and rainfall.

 

In terms of physical geography, Pha Wing Chu is a steep cliff situated along the left bank of the Ping River. Facing downstream or toward the south, the cliff extends approximately 250 meters in length with an average height of around 25 meters. The cliff face slopes westward, while the opposite riverbank forms a relatively flat floodplain. This contrast is central to understanding the origin and formation of Pha Wing Chu.

 

The most well-known viewpoint lies along the ridge of the cliff. From this vantage point, visitors can observe sharp, pillar-like rock formations rising from the ground, some topped with unusual rock masses that resemble natural sculptures. Beyond them stretches the Ping River floodplain, and on clear days, the distant ridgeline of Doi Pui Luang can be seen on the horizon, adding depth and scale to the landscape.

 

The geology of Pha Wing Chu is what clearly distinguishes it from ordinary cliffs. The landform results from the combined effects of in-situ weathering, erosion, and uplift associated with a normal fault. This fault is oriented in an east–west direction and dips toward the north.

 

Movement along the fault caused the northern rock mass to subside while the southern block was uplifted, forming step-like terraces. Over time, erosion further accentuated these differences, transforming the uplifted side into a steep cliff while the opposite bank remained a flat riverside plain, as seen today.

 

The cliff is composed of multiple interbedded rock types, including siltstone, sandstone, and conglomerate. The lower layers are more strongly cemented, while the upper layers remain less consolidated. These rock units range in age from the Tertiary Period (approximately 65–1.8 million years ago) to the Quaternary Period (1.8 million years ago to the present).

 

One particularly significant feature is the presence of an angular unconformity, indicating that older rock layers were once uplifted, tilted, and eroded before younger sediments were deposited on top. This evidence shows that Pha Wing Chu was not formed by a single event, but rather through multiple phases of tectonic and surface processes over long periods of geological time.

 

Because parts of the rock remain poorly consolidated and the cliff is directly exposed to wind, rain, and surface runoff, erosion and collapse continue to occur. This is evident from the repeated relocation of safety barriers away from the cliff edge as sections gradually retreat over time. As a result, the area requires a high level of caution during visits.

 

Getting There Pha Wing Chu can be accessed via two main routes. The first route follows the Chiang Mai–Hod road, then continues along the Hod–Na Lung route, passing Ban Hod Luang and Ban Dong Dam. About 1 kilometer beyond Ban Dong Dam, a junction leads to the viewpoint on the cliff ridge. The second route follows the Hod–Doi Tao road (Highway 1103), approximately 15 kilometers from Hod town, then turns toward Ban Dong Dam. From there, a gravel road of about 1 kilometer leads to the viewpoint.

 

For visitors wishing to observe the cliff face where fault lines and rock structures are more clearly visible, a smaller access route from Ban Hod Luang follows the Ping River toward the base of the cliff. This route should be used with particular caution.

 

In summary, Pha Wing Chu is not a destination defined by spectacle, but rather one suited to visitors who wish to understand nature at a deeper level — to witness geological forces actively shaping the landscape, and to recognize why the beauty of such cliffs comes hand in hand with fragility that deserves genuine respect.

 

 

A: It is ideal for visitors interested in nature, geology, and educational landscape observation. It is not suitable for climbing or adventure activities.

 

A: Visitors should exercise extreme caution, especially after rainfall, and should avoid approaching the cliff edge.

 

A: The dry season or late rainy season to early winter offers better weather conditions and lower risk of ground instability.