Doi Tung is the site of a major environmental and socio-economic development project initiated by Her Royal Highness Srinakarindra the Princess Mother, mother of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
The 24 kilometers asphalt road from Ban San Kong to Doi Tung is a convenient route to the breathtaking scenery.
Doi Tung Royal Villa
The late Princess Mother chose to build her another home in the north where she could stay for a long rest or to work on her reforestation project on Doi Tung. The building began in 1987, with the erection of the foundation pole on December 23.
The architectural style of this two-storeyed house is the combination of Lanna style, Swiss chalet and log cabin building techniques. The uniqueness of this palace lies in its astral ceiling which is made of wood carved to resemble the celestial sphere with the constellation of the Princess Mother’s birthday. The panel by the staircase has the Thai alphabet inscribed with illustrations.
Mae Fa Luang Park
Built in 1992, the park is located by the front entrance to the palace on a 9 acres piece of land, It has been carefully and beautifully designed. The center- piece, created by the renowned artist Misiam Yipinsoi, is the superb sculpture of children standing on top of each other, symbolizing continuation and thus its name. It is an echo of the Princess Mother’s aspiration that, To accomplish anything, we have to work at it in continuation .
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Surrounding the sculpture are thousands of colorful flowering plants and bushes. There are several kinds of gardens on display here, such as a rock garden, an aqua garden, a palm garden, a plant garden, and a temperate garden.
The park is open daily from 7 am – 6 pm. Admission is 70 baht to the Royal Villa, and 50 baht to the park. A package ticket is 100 baht. Guided tours are scheduled for every half hour.
Mae Fa Luang Arboretum
Situated on about 100 acres of land atop Doi Chang Mup (the highest mount of the Nang Non Range). the garden was initially organized in response to the Princess Mother’s wish to improve and to replenish Doi Chang MUP.
Here you can find a rich collection of uncountable kinds of plants, both local varieties and some rarities from other areas. A long footpath winding among trees and shrubbery along the mountain side shoulders leads to its high summits.
The highest plateau is shaded by big trees removed from the Mae Sai-Mae Chan highway. From the observation balcony, visitors can enjoy the magnificent vista as far as the Laotian and the Myanmar borders.
An admission ticket to the garden is 50 baht.
Doi Tung Wildlife Reservation Station
This reservation station covers the area of about 80 acres, It aims to preserve Doi Tung area wild animals as wet as some endangered species. including deer, hog deer, chamois, bucks, hornbills, etc. Admission is free.
Ban Pa Kluai Hilltribe Market
This is an ideal place to look for souvenirs made by the Akha (l-Ko) and Musor, such as silverware, silver ornaments, woven bags, tribal dresses and other mementos.
Handicraft Center
The workshop is part of Doi Tung Development project. The assortment of handicrafts made by hilltribe housewives available here is diverse in style and ranges from hand woven cloth and rugs, sa paper products, to Arabica coffee beans.
Phra That Doi Tung (Doi Tung Shrine)
This shrine is the first shrine in Lanna built by King Uchuttarat of Yonok-Nakkhaphan in 911 in order to contain Buddha’s left-shoulder bone relies. In the reign of King Mang Rai, 50 more fragments were donated. Mang Rai, therefore, had another chedi built alongside the old one to house them.
Doi Tung Shrine is a popular place of worship for both the Thai and Tai Yai from neighboring Myanmar and Laos from Luang Prabang and Vientiane. During the Doi Tung devotional festival, the whole area is crowded with visitors and worshippers. Driving up to the shrine will then become inconvenient and rather dangerous. Walking is recommended as the most practical way.
Hilltribe Villages
Twenty-six villages of ethnic minorities lie within the Doi Tung Development Project area. Twenty-four are of hilltribe communifies: predominantly Akha and Lahu, with Lue, Lisu and others living in their midst. Another is a Shan (Thai Yai) community, and one a Chinese Haw village. All villages in Doi Tung can now be reached by road, and all receive electricity, water supply, and other physical and social infrastructure. Dramatic changes, through the training and work opportunities under the project, have led to dramatic increases in income and improvement in the quality of their lives. Yet despite the major changes that occurred in recent years, the ethnic minorities of Doi Jung maintain their unique cultures and traditions, and continue to celebrate their special festivals and rituals.