Sunday, 23 November 2025
Photo excursion to Rock n’ River in the Doi Saket District

It seems that many Thai people are pretty taken with TikTok, one of the latest social media crazes. They love taking many photos of themselves posing in interesting or picturesque places. And my friend Mukda is no exception. She works and manages her shop all year, so when friends (like me) come to town, she wants to go on excursions and take lots of photos. After yesterday’s trip with Anna, Yui, and Lao to Wat Sri Don Moon, the plan for today was for Mukda, Yui, Lao, and me to head northeast to the Doi Saket District of Chiang Mai and stop at a place called Rock n’ River. At the last minute, Lao said he was tired, so he and Yui did not join Mukda and me on the excursion.

Mukda drove us northeast out of Chiang Mai on the highway to Doi Saket and further towards Chiang Rai. The city soon disappeared, and we were in the hills.

Rock n’ River

On highway 118 to Chiang Rai, by the Mae Kuang (Kuang River), near the village of Pa Miang in the Doi Saket District of Chiang Mai, is Rock ‘n River. And Rock n’ River appears (to me, at least) to have been made just for photo-ops. There is a restaurant there, and the food was good. Everything else is designed for photos, and many people were doing precisely that – taking photos. Walking from the parking area, we saw this sign – we had arrived at Rock n’ River!

The first prominent photo spot is the red suspension bridge over the river.

And a view of the river from the middle of the bridge, while we waited for other people to finish their pictures at the ends of the bridge.

Then we took many photos…Mukda on the bridge; me on the bridge; Mukda and me on the bridge. Here are some of the pictures.

Then we had lunch. First came the coffee. Rock n’ River does make good coffee. Not a surprise, though, because the coffee grown in northern Thailand and served almost everywhere here is very good.

After lunch, it was time for more photos. So many photos! First, some shots by the river.

We walked around a large field while Mukda took many photos, and I, using her phone, took more of her. Here I am at a very colorful area where they light and launch lanterns at certain times of the year, like (1) the Lantern Festival, and (2) New Year’s Eve. The sign above me says “Heritage Sky Lanterns” and “Festival 2025.” The 2025 Lantern Festival was in early November.

Then another photo-op at a group of carefully piled rocks, often called a cairn.

And the sign that really epitomized Rock n’ River to me is this photo man. It is all about the photos.

The Vineyard

About halfway back to Chiang Mai, Mukda took a U-turn and said, “We have to stop at this place.” I wondered, “What place?” It is a vineyard, and in addition to growing grapes and making wine, they allow people to pick their own grapes and pay based on weight. So we did just that, and of course, there were many photos. Here is one of me at the sign and one of me picking grapes. Most of the grapes will be given to monks in the morning as offerings.

Soon we were back in Chiang Mai. Another long excursion, but a very enjoyable day. Getting out of town to see something different is good.

Next: Walk to the Hai Ya district south of the old city.