Located 70 kilometres due north of Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) on the road to Fang; Chiang Dao shelters beneath the impressive bulk of Doi Chiang Dao; a massive outcrop of rock which rises steeply over the town to a height of 2;175 metres. The peak鈥擳hailand's third highest鈥攊s usually shrouded in clouds; and is home to a number of hilltribe villages; including Lisu; Lahu and Karen settlements.

Chiang Dao is a small; rather traditional town of two-storey teak shop-houses and quiet back streets. About 5 kilometres distant; on the eastern side of Doi Chiang Dao; lies the entrance to the extensive subterranean network which makes up the Chiang Dao caves. Various stories and legends surround these caverns; which are reported to extend as far as 14 kilometres under the mountain鈥攖hough they are only illuminated by electric light for the first kilometre or so.