I want to photograph the city at sunrise with the sun at my back. Map shows several possible roads leading east but I've been on enough mountain roads around here to know that without a designated viewpoint all I'm probably going to see are slivers of view between trees.

The first set of mountains to the east will be Doi Saket; it is a bit too far to get a good clear view of Chiang Mai especially with the smog at this time of year. However, it is you best choice. I suggest going out the 118 highway to the village of Doi Saket where you will find the Wat Doi Saket on top of the mountain. You should be able to get your best view from the temple or if you go from the wat up the road going south (on top of the mountain) about another two to three meters you will find a smaller animist temple that also has a good view.

The first set of mountains to the east will be Doi Saket; it is a bit too far to get a good clear view of Chiang Mai especially with the smog at this time of year. However, it is you best choice. I suggest going out the 118 highway to the village of Doi Saket where you will find the Wat Doi Saket on top of the mountain. You should be able to get your best view from the temple or if you go from the wat up the road going south (on top of the mountain) about another two to three meters you will find a smaller animist temple that also has a good view.

Thanks.

It's all too far away. Except maybe on an exceptionally clear day, with an exceptionally good zoom lens.. but I still think it's better to pick a taller building on the Eastern side of town, and shoot from there.

This weekend I rode my scooter into the city from the east forget about it. The mountains are to far away for this shoot.

If you do get one please share it with us.

Sad to say but I was thinking the rainy season might offer up the best view.

Agree it is too far and basically not a good picture. Perhaps if you went aloft. I believe that you can hire a flight on a hot air balloon or hire a small plane. But you had better way a few months for the best shot!

There are two spots for this, the temple in Doi Saket and the hills between San Kampaeng and Mae On. The latter requires a bit of bush walking. Both spots offer nice views over the Chiang Mai valley, but the city is far from there. You could work with zoom, of course, but with all the vapour and dust in the air, it isn't going to look great. A better option would be to board an ultralight plane at Doi Saket airport or get a quadrocopter to put your camera on.

Cheers, CM-Expat