Note : You are on Page 6. Start with Page 1 about Chiang Rai
- Page 1 – General Info – Transport, Hotels…
- Page 2 – Attractions in the Suburbs of Chiang Rai (white temple…)
- Page 3 – Attractions inside the City of Chiang Rai
- Page 4 – Attractions far from Chiang Rai – Mae Salong – Tea Plantations
- Page 5 – Attractions far from Chiang Rai – The Golden Triangle
- Page 6 – Attractions far from Chiang Rai – Doi Tung area – Gardens, Palace
Maps – Orientation
Map 4 – Chiang Rai – Attractions far from the city
Map 5 – Chiang Rai – Interactive Map
Note : More Maps on the first page.
Doi Tung area
Doi Tung is a district in the north west of Thailand. It is adjacent to the border of Myanmar.
Mae Fa Luang Gardens + Palace
This is the main attraction in the Doi Tung district. Beautiful gardens + a previous residence of the royal family. See location on Google Maps or on Map 4, above.
It is possible to buy a combo ticket that includes both places (the gardens and the palace). It is also possible to buy a combo ticket that includes Mae Fah Luang Arboretum, mentioned later.
Strange creatures in the garden
And strange plants (like this nipple fruit).
The royal residence is a place where the Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of Thailand’s current king used to stay, on her trips to the north of Thailand.
You can see in the house different rooms and pictures
The Thais are very respectful to the royal family. During the visit, you have to take off your shoes and carry them with you in a bag provided by the staff.
Overall, the gardens + the Palace is a pleasant visit. It may take you 2 to 3 hours.
You can have lunch in one of the restaurants. If you are not vegetarian like me, you may have more choice.
Mae Fah Luang Arboretum (gardens)
This arboretum is located in a completely different place, near the Myanmar border, 9 Km away from Mae Fa Luang Garden, you need to drive between the 2 places. See location on Google Maps or on the Interactive Map, above.
There is a combo ticket with the Mae Fa Luang Garden (mentioned earlier), or you can buy a separate ticket.
Arboretum, means : a botanical garden devoted to trees. If you don’t like trees, don’t come here. There are only trees and plants.
It is quite nice to walk in the gardens. A lot of work is dedicated to maintain this place.
You can see Myanmar from some sides.
Pha Hee village and bamboo bridge
On the border with Myanmar, there is a village called Pha Hee. See location on Google Maps or on the Interactive Map, above. It is 3 Km from the Mae Fah Luang Arboretum and 11 Km from Mae Fa Luang Palace.
In order to arrive to this village, you need to drive on the road that runs beside the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The road is not perfect but it is not a big problem for a motorbike. There is a check point of the army. Tell them that you want to visit the village Pha hee.
The village is great, the view is amazing and the general atmosphere is like you have arrived to the end of the world.
If you walk inside the village, you will arrive to an area where a Bamboo bridge is built. Very cool.
There are points of view, with signs to take pictures
There are several cafés and restaurants in the village.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung (Temple)
In the district of Doi Tung, there are many Wats (temples). One of them is Wat Phra That Doi Tun. See location on Google Maps.
This Wat is nice but visually without something very special. Anyway, the all area is mountainous and magic so if you have time, visit some temples here, you will enjoy the general atmosphere.
There is a path that leads to a view point.
It is a short walk
The view is nice, especially when there is not the dust in the air, caused by the burning of crops by the farmers
How to arrive to Doi Tung Palace + Gardens ?
- The Palace (+ Gardens) is located about 51 Km, north to the center of Chiang Rai.
- See location on Google Maps or on Map 4, above.
- From the gardens you can travel about 9 Km to the Mae Fah Luang Arboretum (see location on Google Maps) and later 3 Km to Pha hee village and the bamboo bridge (see location on Google Maps)
- See the possible ways of Transport, around Chiang Rai, on the first page.
More to Visit – The Northern Most of Thailand
When you have extra time :
If you drive from Chiang Rai on the main highway to the north, you will arrive to “The Northern Most of Thailand”, the Mae Sai town. See location on Google Maps. It is 62 Km from Chiang Rai. It is a border crossing point to Myanmar. Technically, there are points more at north (a few kilometers to the right), but here is the main road and it is a crossing point.
If you arrive here, you can take a photo beside a sign stating : “The Northern Most of Thailand”. You can also cross the border to Myanmar, if it is open (with a valid passport).
Return to Page 1 – General Info about Chiang Rai
More on Bangkok and Thailand :
- Where to Stay in Bangkok – Potential Zones for the Hotel
- How to book Trains, Buses, Flights, Hotels for Thailand
- What to Visit in Bangkok ? – The Tourist Attractions
- Bangkok Transport – Airport, Metro, Buses, Boats…
- To the Islands – Which Island to visit + Stay + Arrive
- To Chiang-Mai – What to Visit, Stay, Transport
- To Pattaya city – What to Visit, Stay, Transport
- The Cost to Visit Bangkok – Common Prices
- The Nightlife of Bangkok – The animated zones
- Visa for Thailand- Basic rules and how to extend
- Internet in Thailand – Buying a local SIM
- Useful Products for the Trip to Thailand
- Maps of Bangkok – With places of interest and Transport
- Bangkok FAQ – Weather, Distances etc…
- Bangkok Shopping – The big Malls and the Markets
- The Khaosan Road Survival Guide – The famous Backpackers
- A Tour of Bangkok – An overview
- Taxi Scams in Bangkok – Common Scams of Taxi and Tuk-Tuks
- Go-Go Bar Scams in Bangkok – What to expect
- Vegetarian in Bangkok
Other Stuff :
- Info about 2 more cool cities: Barcelona and Tel-Aviv
- What to Pack ? the visual list that will help you prepare the suitcase.
- Visit my Vegetarian Page. Why be Vegetarian ? What to eat ?
- Visit my Salsa Dance Page. Salsa main Styles. Why Dance Salsa ?
- Listen to nice Songs with translation in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
- Listen to basic Words In Spanish, French, Hebrew
If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.