Doi Mae Salong is a mountain 64 km from Chiang Rai with numerous attractions: the views from the access road, the village with its market and tea factories where you can watch the workers roasting tea leaves (they are usually pleased by the interest and allow photography unless you are traveling in large numbers), the Princess Pagoda (Sinakarintra Stit Mahasantikhiri Pagoda), and the tea plantations. Mae Salong is particularly popular in winter due to its cool climate and is mainly inhabited by people from the Chinese province of Yunnan. Here you can sample their culinary specialties and buy all sorts of spices, nuts, pistachios, coffee, and, of course, tea.

I've marked Doi Mae Salong on the map where the market is located. 500 meters further up is the tomb of General Tuan with its small pavilion, offering a magnificent view of Doi Mae Salong mountain. Three kilometers away, at the highest point of Doi Mae Salong, is the Sinakarintra Stit Mahasantikhiri Pagoda, built in honor of Princess Srinagarindra (the mother of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX). From the parking area, there's a breathtaking view over the valley. The area also boasts several well-known tea plantations that welcome visitors, such as Tea Plantation 101 and Wang Pud Tarn.

To get to Doi Mae Salong by public transport, first take a bus to Mae Sai and get off at the Mae Chan market (approximately a 1-hour journey). From there, take a songthaew to Mae Salong (60 THB). Please note: there are only four departures per day (7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm; please check the departure times as they may have changed). I personally recommend driving your own vehicle to Doi Mae Salong, as you're bound to miss the last songthaew if you use public transport. If you do miss it, there are guesthouses in Doi Mae Salong.

How to get there

How do you get to Doi Mae Salong? To reach Doi Mae Salong by public transport, first take a bus to Mae Sai and get off at the Mae Chan market (approximately a 1-hour journey). From there, take a songthaew to Mae Salong (60 THB). Please note: There are only four departures per day (7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm; please check the departure times as they may have changed). I personally recommend traveling to Doi Mae Salong with your own vehicle, as you are almost guaranteed to miss the last songthaew if using public transport. If you do miss it, there are guesthouses in Doi Mae Salong.