By far the highlight of Chiang Dao, though, beyond the general beautiful setting, was the remote monestary set up in Chiang Dao Mountain. I came to this monestary twice; once just after a monsoon rain, and again on a brilliantly sunny day. It was like an entirely different place each time--after the rain, it was misty and ethereal, and on the sunny day, the temple seemed to glow on the hillside. Both times, though, I was nearly the only person there, beyond a few monks meditating. There were 600 or so steps to the main temple, as well as smaller paths leading to small huts in the hills. However, this place was far from silent; the forest was alive with animal noises, most strikingly from the ear-splitting cacophany of an insect like a cicada, which was making the most unnatural whining/vibrating noise that would increase in intensity and then die off, only to begin again moments later.