Mae Salong Travel Guide
Perched some 1,800 meters above sea level on the mountains, the village of Mae Salong is found in Chiang Rai Province, in the northernmost part of Thailand. The region has an alpine-like climate and landscape and is also known as 'Little Switzerland'.
- Worth It?
- Yes, if you are in the area and fancy stunning views in a cool climate.
- What to Do
- go trekking or horseback riding to the nearby hill tribe villages, sample locally grown tea.
- Best Time to Go
- during the dry season from November to April, and especially in early January to see the cherry trees blooming.
- How Long?
- Two days is enough to see Mae Salong and its environs.
- Trivia
- Mae Salong is well known for its tea and cherry blossoms.
Sometimes called Santikhiri (Hill of Peace), Mae Salong has a large Yunnan Chinese population because it was chosen as a place of refuge by a large number of Kuomintang soldiers who escaped the communist regime in 1949. Their strong cultural influence is emphasized by several Chinese temples, shops and restaurants as well as typical Chinese architecture.
Since 1994, Mae Salong has developed into a tourist draw featuring narrow winding streets flanked by noodle shops, inns and teashops. Today, the village is one of the country's top 10 destinations among backpackers, who travel here to enjoy the cool climate and visit the close-by Akha and Lisu tribe settlements.
From early January, the area boasts the sight of gorgeous Japanese cherry blossoms, particularly along the Sakura Route, a four-kilometer road section that shines with pink flowers. It is also a major tea growing region famous for its high grade traditional Chinese high mountain Oolong.
Travel to Mae Salong - Getting There
Mae Salong is accessible by bus from Thaton and Chiang Rai, with the 76-kilometer journey from Chiang Rai taking about 2 hours. You can take the bus to Mae Sai, get off in Pasang and change to a minibus to Mae Salong, or take a bus to Chiang Saen or Mae Sai and get off at Mae Chan, from where a minibus heads to Kewsatai and then another minibus to Mae Salong. Chiang Rai Airport is a 1-hour, 30-minute flight from Bangkok.
Mae Salong Things to Do
Mae Salong Attractions
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