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When arriving
in Thailand ask for free copies of Thaiways magazine and Thaiways
maps from the information counter at airports or hotels.
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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. |
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 |
| 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 |
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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 : |
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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