Amphoe Mae Fa Luang
Doi Mae Salong
 Doi
Mae Salong is the site of Santi Khiri village, a community settled
by the former Chinese 93rd Division who moved from Myanmar to reside
on Thai territory in 1961. The village became well known for its
enchanting scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Today it is a major
tourist attraction with its small-town ambience, delicious native
Chinese dishes, small hotels and guesthouses catering to visitors
and tea, coffee and fruit tree plantations. The scenery is especially
picturesque in December and January when sakuras are in full bloom.
Scattered with many hill tribe villages, Doi Mae Salong is ideal
for trekking.
To reach Doi Mae Salong, take the Chiang Rai-Mae Chan route for
29 kilometers, then turn left and proceed for another 41 kilometers
(passing a hot spring). The return trip can be taken on routes nos.
1234 and 1130 which wind through Yao and Akha hill tribe villages.
From Doi Mae Salong a road leads to Tha Thon, the starting point
for the Kok River cruise, a distance of 45 kilometers. There are
hotels and guesthouses to accommodate tourists and a paved road
leading to the village.
Doi Pha Tang
Doi Pha Tang is located 32 kilometers from Wiang Kaen District
and 160 kilometers from the provincial town. The scenic mountain
is the home to the Chinese Haw, the Hmong and Yao minorities. The
Haws are the former 93rd Chinese Division who moved to settle on
Doi Pha Tang. From the hilltop, visitors can enjoy panoramic views
of Thai and Lao rural areas. The mountain is more popular during
winter when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and a sea of mist
covers the whole area.
Doi Tung
 Doi
Tung is located in Mae Fa Luang District and can be reached by taking
Highway No.110 for about 48 kilometers and turning left onto Highway
No. 1149, an asphalt road leading directly to Doi Tung. The route
winds through beautiful scenery with many interesting sites including
the Doi Tung Palace (Pra Tamnak Doi tung), the Mae Fa Luang Garden
and Akha and Muser tribal villages. IN addition to scenic lookouts,
the most notable attraction is the Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic,
an old religious site atop the mountain.
Also located on Doi Tung Mountain is a beautiful royal residence
known as Phra Tamnak Doi Tung. The royal villa, situated on the
slopes of the adjacent Pa Kluay Reservoir, was to serve as a royal
winter retreat for the Princess Mother, who passed away in 1995
and was originally built on the theory that the local hill tribes
would be honored by the royal presence and thereby cease their opium
cultivation.
The main attraction for visitors to Phra Tamnak Doi Tung is 'Suan
Mae Fa Luang', the beautiful landscaped gardens filled with hundreds
of different kinds of plants and flowers, named in honor of the
Princess Mother and the Doi Tung Development Project established
by the late Princess Mother in 1987.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung
Wat Phra That Doi Tung is situated on top of Doi Tung Mountain,
the highest mountain in Chiang Rai Province with an elevation of
approximately 2,000 meters, about 50 kilometers south of Mae Sai
town which is near the Myanmar border. The temple can be reached
via a 40-kilometer mountain road which meanders along the mountainside.
The journey is worthwhile as the panoramic views into Laos and Myanmar
at the peak are spectacular.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung was constructed in the 10th century and
was renovated by Chiang Rai's most famous ruler King Mengrai during
the 13th century and by the famous Chiang Mai monk, Khru Ba Siwichai,
at the turn of the 20th century.
The temple complex is comprised of twin Lanna style chedis, one
of which is said to contain the left collarbone of the Lord Buddha.
Throughout the year, the holy relic draws devout Buddhists from
all over Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
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