Doi Mae Salong Tea in Chiang Rai

Part of the Chiang Rai travel guide — see every topic in All Chiang Rai Guides.

Doi Mae Salong is a mountain about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai, close to the Myanmar border. The town on the ridge is also called Santikhiri. Its highest point is 1,367 m. The slopes are covered in neat rows of tea, and the air is cool all year. Visitors come for tea tasting, wide mountain views and cool mornings. This guide explains the tea, the views, the seasons and the road.

The tea terraces

Tea grows in long green rows that follow the shape of the hills. The best-known teas here are oolong teas, such as No. 12 and Four Seasons. Many tea shops line the main road through town. Most offer free tasting, and staff pour many small cups so you can compare. You do not have to buy, but it is polite to buy a small bag if you stay a long time. The most famous farm is the 101 Tea Plantation. It sits on the road about 5 km before the town. It has terraces you can walk between and a shop with a view.

Views and short walks

The ridge gives wide views over green hills and valleys, often toward Myanmar. Early morning is the best time, when mist fills the valleys below. Walk along the quiet tea rows for photos, but stay on the paths and do not pick leaves. Small cafés and resorts on the slopes have terraces with views. A small morning market opens early, from about 6 to 8 am, where villagers sell vegetables, fruit and tea. Come early, because most stalls pack up by mid-morning. On clear days, bring a camera with a zoom lens for the far hills.

Cherry blossom season

Around early January, many wild Himalayan cherry trees bloom along the roads. The light pink flowers line the road for more than 4 km. Many Thai visitors come at this time, so weekends are busy and rooms fill up. December and January are also the coldest months on the mountain. Early mornings can feel cold, so bring a warm jacket. From about February to April, smoke from fires in the north can make the views hazy. The rainy season, from about May to October, brings green hills and mist, but the roads can be slippery.

Getting there

The easiest way is by car or with a tour from Chiang Rai. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The road climbs into the mountains and has steep sections and many curves. Drive slowly and use low gear on the way down. Experienced riders can go by scooter, but the climb is long. Public transport is possible, but slow, and you must change vehicles on the way. Many people combine Doi Mae Salong with the Golden Triangle or Doi Tung in one long day. To enjoy the misty morning, stay one night in a guesthouse or resort on the hill.

Where to stay and eat

The town has guesthouses, small hotels and resorts with views over the tea. Book ahead for weekends in December and January. Many places to eat serve simple noodle soups, rice dishes and hill vegetables. Cafés serve local coffee as well as tea. Evenings are quiet, and most places close early. Bring cash, because there are few cash machines on the hill. Warm clothes are useful for the evening at any time of the year. If you plan to buy tea, taste a few kinds first and ask how to brew it at home.

Doi Mae Salong Tea at a glance

More in Chiang Rai

All 5 Chiang Rai guides·Thailand tourist maps

Featured Videos