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Chiang
Rai : Attractions / Mae Chan District |
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Mae Chan District
Route 110
| Hilltribe
Development & Welfare Centre |
| Located 15 kilometres along
route 110 to Doi Mae Salong, the center supports
the local hilltribe settlements. Hilltribe handicrafts,
including woven cloth and silverware are on sale.
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Mae Fa Luang Sub-district
| Doi
Mae Salong Route 110, then 1089 |
| After the Communists took over
the mainland of China in 1949 a division of Nationalist
Chinese army fled through Yunnan Province to the
Thai-Burmese border areas. In 1961, some of them
were allowed to settle down on a mountain inside
Chiang Rai Province called Mae Salong, which then
became a Yunnan army base to fight the communist
regime in China. |
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| In 1982 after the force was disbanded, the former
soldiers began to lead a civilian life. They started
growing tea, fruits, and flowering cherry trees,
which transformed the mountain into one of Thailand
tourist attractions. Another inheritance they received
is their Yunnanese-Chinese culture that makes the
valley even more outstanding.
Located some 40 kilometres from Mae Chan along
route 1089, the village they founded, known as
Santi Khiri, soon became well known for its enchanting
scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Most of the area
is covered with plantations of tea, coffee and
fruit trees, especially a traditional Chinese
tea, “Oolong” which brings a good
reputation to Doi Mae Salong. Oolong tea has a
distinctive taste and aroma. Its colour is between
green and black. In the village, you will find
countless teashops that serve you authentic Oolong
tea. The scenery is especially picturesque in
December and January when the cherry trees are
in full bloom. Scattered with many hilltribe villages,
Doi Mae Salong is thus a nice place for trekking.
There are hotels and guesthouses to accommodate
tourists and a paved road leading to the village,
which is about 60 km. from the provincial town
of Chiang Rai. |
| Doi
Tung Area Route 110, then 1149 |
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| Wat
Phra That Doi Tung |
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| Located on the mountaintop
of Doi Tung (the highest in Chiang Rai) at Km. 17.5
of route 1149, this is a most important place of
worship for Buddhists in the North. The temple contains
the left collar bone of the Buddha. There, on a
clear day, one can have a breathtaking panorama
of the forested border areas. |
| Doi
Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fa Luang Garden |
Doi
Tung Royal Villa
Situated at Km. 12 of route 1149, this beautiful
royal residence was built for the late Princess
Mother in celebration of her 90th birthday in
1990. The villa is a 2-storey building neatly
designed in northern Thai and Swiss chalet styles
of architecture. After the Princess Mother passed
away, the Palace has continued to draw many visitors
to admire its beautiful gardens, especially during
the cool season.
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| Doi Tung is renowned
among Thai and foreign tourists as a perfect destination
for recreation because of its Switzerland-like environment.
Lots of flowers and trees here are of Western species.
And the clear mountain air helps refresh visitors.
On the mountaintop, a group of buildings constructed
to accommodate the Princess Mother's entourage are
now being converted into a small, ecological hotel.
There's a restaurant which serves food and snacks. |
| Open
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07.30-17.30
hrs. daily |
| Mae Fa Luang
Garden |
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This is just in
front of the royal villa. Covering a hillside area
of about 40 sq.km., this large flower garden also
includes a rock garden, a fountain, a palm garden,
an ornamental plant section and a handicraft centre.
Accommodation is also available.
Call Doi Tung Development Project at 0 5376 7003,
0 5376 7015 to 7. |
| Open : |
07.30-18.00 hrs.daily |
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| Doi Tung Royal Villa
and Mae Fa Luang Garden are best visited in winter
when the numerous flowers are in full bloom and
the forested mountain is verdant. |
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| Admission Fee: |
150 baht/person* |
| * including the fees
of Doi Tung Royal Villa, the Late Princess Mother's
Autobiography Hall and Mae Fa Luang Garden |
| Viewpoints |
| There are several scenic viewpoints on Doi Tung
mountain; the major points are at Km. 12 and 14.
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| Hilltribe
Villages |
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| On the way to the summit of Doi Tung,
there are several hilltribe villages such as those
of Akha and Lahu, which are easily accessible. There
is also a hilltribe handicrafts centre on Km.14,
a good place to buy some souvenirs. |
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Chiang
Rai Attraction List |
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