Doi Mae Salong, the “Chinese mountain”

Doi Mae Salong is a mountain in Chiang Rai province famous for tea plantations, cherry blossoms and for an ethnic Chinese community, called Santikhiri. Santikhiri means mountain of peace.

Doi Mae Salong is about 1,5 hours drive from Chiang Rai. From Mae Chan to Doi Mae Salong the road is really a mountain road with magnificent vistas. The people who live in Santikhiri are descendants of Chinese Nationalist forces that moved to Thailand in the early 60’s. Their history is very interesting. A museum in Santikhiri tells the story.

Santikhiri is beautifully located and the atmosphere is different than in the lowlands. You have the feeling you are in “Little China”. There are lots of tea plantations and tea factories with tasting facilities. Walk up to Wat Santikhiri in the early morning for a sunrise view of Santikhiri and surroundings. A long stairway through the forest leads to this mountaintop temple.

Views are spectacular and temperatures mild year round. The area is also home to a variety of tribal people such as Akha, Hmong, Lahu, Yao and Lisu. Close to Wat Santikhiri there is a small morning market where you usually see Akha people amongst others. The other tribes live further away from town.

Not far from Santikhiri is Ban Therd Thai, known as Ban Hin Taek in the past. This used to be the headquarters of notorious druglord Khun Sa. It is a fascinating region to visit. Not many tourists venture out to this remote part of Thailand.