The small village of Ban Pa Pong Piang, nestled in the mountains of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, 90 kilometers from Chiang Mai, is famous for its stunning rice terraces. During the rice-growing season (generally from early/mid-July to late October/early November), the landscape is breathtaking! It's particularly photogenic shortly after planting, in early/mid-July, when the rice plants are still small and the fields are full of water. The sky and the reflection of the sun create a magnificent spectacle, especially at sunset. To truly appreciate this place, it's recommended to stay in one of the few guesthouses in Ban Pa Pong Piang. Choosing a guesthouse is easy; they are all comparable and cost 500 THB per person per night. Accommodation is basic: a room in a wooden or bamboo bungalow with mattresses on the floor and a mosquito net. Outside, there's a hut with a very simple bathroom featuring a Turkish toilet, a large water heater, and a small sink for showering. There is no electricity, only candlelight for the night. But the view from your balcony will quickly make you forget all these comforts. Dinner and breakfast are included in the room rate. I recommend booking in advance (by phone or through the guesthouse's Facebook page by clicking the "Contact" button in my guest list), especially if you plan to travel on a weekend. Rooms are booked weeks in advance. Below, I describe how to get there independently, but an easier and more comprehensive way to discover these beautiful rice terraces is to contact Tee Watertown, a Karen guide I have tested and highly recommend. You can find his offer for a trekking tour in Doi Inthanon, including a visit to Ban Pa Pong Piang, here. Please note that the rice paddies are beautiful even outside the rice-growing season—contrary to popular belief, they are anything but ugly! The sunsets are often breathtaking (during the rice-growing season, they are unfortunately frequently obscured by clouds)! Outside of the rice growing season, it is also advisable to travel via tea country, as the guesthouses there are usually closed.

Outside of the rice-growing season, the area is less appealing and the guesthouses are closed. However, you can always stay overnight in Ban Pa Pong Piang and enjoy a breathtaking sunset. I tried it myself, and it's much more beautiful than I expected. Even at dusk, the yellow of the harvested rice plants harmonizes wonderfully with the colors of the sky. It's also an ideal base for setting off early in the morning to explore the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail – the most beautiful hiking trail on Doi Inthanon! Conversely, outside of the rice-growing season, it's advisable to take advantage of the tea and trekking opportunities, as the guesthouses are usually closed.

Getting to Ban Pa Pong Piang by bus from Chiang Mai isn't complicated, but it's a lengthy journey involving three stages (Chiang Mai to Chom Thong, then Chom Thong to Mae Pan Waterfall, and finally a pickup truck for the last few kilometers). I've described all of this in detail in my post about Ban Pa Pong Piang. Alternatively, you can rent a car (scooter or car) and drive to Mae Pan Waterfall, leaving your vehicle in the parking lot there. Then, ask your accommodation to pick you up in a 4x4 for the final three kilometers. The wide, unpaved road is often very muddy and difficult to navigate without the right vehicle and local knowledge. The round trip by pickup truck costs 700 THB, regardless of the number of passengers. Payment is made upon departure from Ban Pa Pong Piang.

How to get there

How do you get to the rice terraces of Ban Pa Pong Piang? Traveling by public bus from Chiang Mai to Ban Pa Pong Piang isn't complicated, but it's a lengthy journey involving three stages (Chiang Mai – Chom Thong, then Chom Thong – Mae Pan Waterfall, and finally a pickup truck for the last few kilometers). I've described all of this step by step in my post about Ban Pa Pong Piang. Alternatively, you can drive a rental car (scooter or car) to Mae Pan Waterfall, leave your vehicle in the parking lot there, and ask your accommodation to send a 4x4 for the last three kilometers. The wide, unpaved road is often very muddy and not easy to navigate without the right vehicle and local knowledge. The round trip by pickup truck costs 700 THB, regardless of the number of passengers. Payment is made upon departure from Ban Pa Pong Piang.