Doi Mae Salong

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Doi Mae Salong

Thai name : ดอยแม่สลอง

GPS : 20.158874,99.622243 (See on the map)

Presentation

Doi Mae Salong is a mountain 64 km from Chiang Rai that has several points of interest: the views on the road to access it, the village, its market and its tea factories in which you can see workers roasting the tea leaves (except if you are numerous, in general, they are happy that you were interested in their work and let you take pictures), the Princess Pagoda (Sinakarintra Stit Mahasantikhiri Pagoda) and tea plantations. Quite popular in winter for its freshness, Mae Salong is mostly inhabited by a population native from Yunnan, China. So you can taste their culinary specialties and buy all kinds of spices, nuts, pistachios, coffee and of course tea.

I placed Doi Mae Salong on the map where the market is, 500 meters further up, is the tomb of General Tuan and its little pavilion which offers a view over Doi Mae Salong mountain and 3 kilometers awa, there is the Sinakarintra Stit Mahasantikhiri pagoda built on the highest point of Doi Mae Salong in honor of Princess Srinagarindra (the mother of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama 9). From its parking lot, you have a superb view over the valley. There are also several famous tea plantations in the area that welcome visitors such as Tea Plantation 101 and Wang Pud Tarn.

Practical information about Doi Mae Salong

To get to Doi Mae Salong by public transport, you will first have to go to Mae Sai by bus and ask to be dropped off at the Mae Chan market (1 hour ride) then take a songthaew to Mae Salong (60 THB). Be careful, there are only 4 departures per day (07.30 am, 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm but check it gone, timetalbe may have changed). As for me, it is better to have your own means of transport to go to Doi Mae Salong because by public transport you have to be sure to not miss the last songthaew. If you do, there are guesthouses in Doi Mae Salong.