There are many waterfalls in Thailand, but most of them are small and, frankly, not very impressive, especially for those people who have already seen something like Niagara in their life. The exception is probably the waterfall. Khlong Lan to Kampeng Pet and waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park, among which is the highest in Thailand. It is difficult to place the Koh Chang waterfalls in this row, but nevertheless they are visited. Yes, and having visited them, I was not very upset, because I regard them as a phenomenon of nature, and not as something very, the more you can also swim in them. For some reason, I have a craving for swimming in fresh water, but I just like to look at the sea surface.
All the waterfalls in the article go in sequence one after another, as they could be bypassed, starting on the west side, and ending on the east, clockwise. Unfortunately, in the south there is no road section connecting the western and eastern parts, so you always have to go around through the north of the island. The water in the waterfalls is not cold, it is quite possible to swim. But certainly not as warm as in the sea.
If you want to visit one or more of the waterfalls from this review and are thinking of looking for accommodation nearby, you can do this at RoomGuru. We also have a description nice and budget bungalow on the White Sand beach (which is quite conveniently located for exploring the island).
Since in Thailand there is still a problem of displaying Thai names in English letters, the names are different, although they mean the same waterfall. For those waterfalls where I saw several spellings, this is how I indicate.
The content of the article
- one Waterfalls map
- 2 Prao talay waterfall
- 3 Klong Plu Waterfall
- 4 Nang Yom / Klong Chao Luam Waterfall
- five Klong nonsi waterfall
- 6 Thaan Ma Yom / Than Mayom Waterfall
- 7 Klong Nueng / Klong Nung Waterfall
- eight Khiri Phet / Kheeri Phet / Kere Phet Waterfall
Waterfalls map
I have a common map, so you can take other sights along the way..
Sights in Ko Chang
Attractions in Ko Chang:
Prao talay waterfall
Let's start with a waterfall in the very south of Chang. It is located on the territory of the Grand Laguna Resort, which is located right after the Bang Bao village and Bang Bao beach. The entrance to the territory of the resort costs 50 baht, the ticket is valid for the whole day, which can be devoted to visiting the waterfall, swimming on the beach of the resort and walking along the arranged territory. By the way, bicycles are also rented right there. And the waterfall is very small ...
Klong Plu Waterfall
This waterfall is the most famous on Koh Chang, as it is located near Klong Prao Beach in the middle of the tourist part of the island, which means that it is the closest to get to it. In addition, it is also the largest in terms of water volume. It is incorrect to speak about the height here, all the waterfalls of Chang are shallow and not high. So, Klong Plu has a large and deep bowl, where all the visitors splash. The water is running, so it's not so bad that there are a lot of people. Although of course I would like to be there alone, but Chang is not the island from which one would expect it..
So, if you want to splash in fresh water, then this waterfall is the best, in my opinion. Also, while walking to it (about 500 m), you can look at the real jungle, although the path is refined and paved in places, the forest is real. The depth of the reservoir allows you to dive into it from various ledges and heights. And at the waterfall itself there is a strong current, you can swim there and, while staying in place, train your swimmer skills. There is also a Nature Trail, a small route for walking through the forest, I regret not going, although in the heat you don't always want to do it.
Due to the large number of tourists, a guard sits on the towering cliff, who is watching over our safety. He just starts to whistle if you climb somewhere in the wrong place. And this «somewhere not there» depends either on a specific person, or on his mood. Once they let me take a picture of the upper cascade, another time they didn't.
The second disadvantage of Klong Plu Watefall after people is the entrance price of 200 baht per person. Since it is located in the territory of a national park, the visit costs the same as visiting any other national park in the country. And also keep in mind that when approaching the ticket office of the waterfall on a bike, enterprising Thais will offer you paid parking, although if you drive literally another 20 meters, then immediately after the ticket office there will be free parking.
Klong Plu entrance fees and opening hours
Pointer to the lime-tree parking
On the way there are stands with descriptions of the local nature
The tracks are still jungle, but already civilized
The tracks are still jungle, but already civilized
Klong Plu Waterfall
View of the Klong Plu waterfall and its bowl
Popular place, many Russians
The upper cascade of the waterfall is visible if you climb the ledge
Thais traditionally bathe in clothes
Great place to jump into the water
Not everyone swims, some just rest
Nang Yom / Klong Chao Luam Waterfall
For some reason, this waterfall has two dissonant names. I have met them on different maps, so keep in mind when looking at maps or searching on the Internet. Most likely, the more correct one is Klong Chao Luam, since this is the name on the signs along the way. The entrance to the waterfall is in a private area, so it costs 40 baht, parking is free. And as far as I understand, the waterfall has nothing to do with the national park (and there is no need to pay 200 baht). Near the entrance there is a small cafe with drinks and a couple of rooms for rent.
The waterfall has many cascades (level), which are very small in themselves. You will not see any impressive water streams there, but there will be a real jungle with spiders and snakes (though I have not seen anyone). There are very few people, not all reach the very top level (level 12), although it seems to me that it is not very far. But it is difficult to verify this, since only the first part of the cascades is signed, and then there are no plates. I walked half an hour in one direction without stopping to the point when the paths had already begun to get lost. Despite the absence «sights», I liked this walk the most because of the real nature and the small number of people.
Rubber is collected on the way to Klong Chao Luam Waterfall
When there is no rain, the river crosses calmly, behind it is the ticket office
There are a couple of houses for rent next to the cashier
Free parking for visitors
Each cascade was given a name
The path to the waterfall is covered with leaves
The second level of Klong Chao Luam is overcome
The backwaters go along the river bed one by one
Some thorny trees
Some backwaters are artificial
A bungee hangs in one place
Klong Chao Luam Waterfall - Real Nature and Jungle!
The path is guarded by some kind of spider
Klong Chao Luam Waterfall - Real Nature and Jungle!
Here is real nature and jungle
Klong nonsi waterfall
Let's go further. Some not very famous waterfall on the east side, it is not on all maps of Koh Chang. To get to it this way - we go from the Changovsky pier along the eastern side and immediately after the hospital and before reaching the police station, we need to look for a homemade signpost to the right. After driving a little from the main road, we get to the parking lot for 10 baht from a motorbike and 30 baht from a car (in the form of donation), the waterfall itself is free. From here we go on foot through the fruit fields. Walk about 500 meters in total. Somewhere along the way there will be a pointer «to the waterfall 50 meters», Do not believe him, because in reality there are several times further. The paths are good, it is not difficult to walk. The waterfall is shallow and may be dry.
Thaan Ma Yom / Than Mayom Waterfall
The next waterfall is very close and also on the eastern side of Koh Chang island. In general, the easiest way to go to these parts is by bike, since minibuses rarely go this way, and the price for them is not very good. The entrance is exactly the same as in Klong Plu costs 200 baht, since this is the territory of the Koh Chang National Park. But! This is the territory of the same park, so if you go on the same day when you were in Klong Plu, you can enter with the already purchased ticket, which means 200 baht will be paid for two waterfalls in Koh Chang 🙂
If you leave the bike right next to the ticket office on the road, then walk to the waterfall for about 10 minutes, but you can drive a little further, where there is a paid parking lot for 10 baht. There are not many people here, I was generally alone, not counting the guard, who immediately after my appearance went about his business. Although it may have been that day, because it is also considered popular. The bowl is suitable for bathing, but not as deep as in Klong Plu. And the drain is about the same in size.
Than Mayom Waterfall signboard
Than Mayom Waterfall Admission Fees and Opening Hours
The path to the Tan Mayom waterfall
It makes me very happy that in Thailand in such places alcohol is banned
The guard at the waterfall feeds the fish with bread
Than mayom waterfall
Klong Nueng / Klong Nung Waterfall
I was very close to the Klong Nung waterfall, but I did not reach it, because for a long time I could not figure out where to find it. I arrived at the place, and the road ran into seemingly impassable thickets, the asphalt ended and there was no waterfall. As I roamed along the neighboring roads, trying to find the right path, it began to get dark. By the way, I accidentally found a good observation deck (also indicated on the map below). And returning again to the dead end, I decided to check the passability of the thickets. There was a narrow path leading to the river. Having walked several tens of meters upstream, I still did not find the waterfall, and because of the darkness I had to retreat.
Then I subtracted that this waterfall is the highest and it is still about 500 meters from where I was, or about 20 minutes of walking. Once upon a time, they wanted to make it an object for visiting on the territory of the same national park, but apparently then they changed their minds. That is why a good road leads to the river, there is an abandoned toilet and parking, but there is no path to the waterfall. Please note that you need to move along the stone channel, jumping over stones and sometimes go swimming. Right in front of the waterfall there will be a large boulder, which you need to go around on the left. Next to the waterfall there is a bowl 15 meters long, you can swim in it.
Here's how you can guess what is behind the pile in the thicket path?
Observation Deck near Klong Nung Waterfall
View from the observation deck to the Salak Phet bay
Warning that the path is dangerous
An ordinary mountain river
Saw along this channel for half an hour to the Klong Nung Waterfall
Khiri Phet / Kheeri Phet / Kere Phet Waterfall
Like the previous one, the Kheeri Phet waterfall is located near the Salak Phet village almost in the very south of Koh Chang and you need to go to it along the eastern side. It is the farthest from the main tourist beaches (it is only close to the uncrowded Long Beach), so the place is not at all popular and rarely visited. From the main road you need to go about 1.5 km uphill. The waterfall is not very high, but you can swim in a small bowl. Most likely you will be alone there.
P.S. In fact, on the way, I made many more interesting shots, so a trip around the island itself is already a new experience. And I'll post the pictures somehow in a separate article..
