Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

This is the place many remember from a day trip to Doi Inthanon, and rightly so. The Wachirathan, called "Diamond Stream" in Thai and once known as Tat Khong Yong, plunges about 750 meters above sea level in a long, white curtain, crashing down with such force that mist settles over the entire clearing – you get wet just standing there. In the mornings, the sun casts rainbows through the spray onto the rocks.

The waterfall is located at kilometer 21 of Route 1009, the road to the summit, 13 kilometers past the park's main checkpoint at kilometer 8. From Chiang Mai, it's about 80 kilometers via National Highway 108 and then Route 1009. A side road, about 500 meters long, leads to the parking area. From there, you have a good view of the waterfall. A short, paved path with steps leads to two viewpoints at different distances—so you can decide how wet you want to get. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. The waterfall is for viewing only; swimming is prohibited. Restrooms, small restaurants, and coffee stands are located near the parking area.

There is no separate entrance ticket. The Doi Inthanon National Park entrance fee is paid in cash at the checkpoint at kilometer 8: 300 baht for foreign adults and 150 baht for children aged 3 to 14, 60 baht or 30 baht for Thai visitors, plus 30 baht for a car or 20 baht for a motorbike. The waterfalls are open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From July to October, when rainfall causes the water level to rise highest, the waterfall is loudest; from February to April, it is significantly quieter.

Think of Doi Inthanon more as a stopover on your way to or from the mountain, rather than a destination in its own right. Most day trips from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon stop here, and tour groups arrive throughout the day – a key reason to arrive early. The steps are slippery due to the constant spray, so wear shoes with good tread and bring a protective case for your camera.