Doi Tung Gardens

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Royal Gardens - the area's greatest pride. The temple here, built by King Achutarat of Yonok in 1911 BE, is considered the most sacred in Chiang Rai, and is a place of annual pilgrimage for many. It also continues to be held sacred to many in Shan State and the ancient Lan Sang area of Laos. On the Myanmar border, Doi Tung is the highest mountain in Chiang Rai, 2000 meters above sea level! Beautiful scenery and gardens, plus Akha and Lahu villages famous for weaving. Doi Tung Palace, on Doi Chang Moop, was the home of the late Princess Mother, who loved the Swiss Alps.

Mae Fah Luang Arboretum (Botanical Garden) - 20 km on 1149 from Hwy 1 at k871 past Doi Tung (then about 9km further), on the Burmese border. Open since 1992, many of the beautiful plants are imported. The big American Express signs don't seem out of place.

Doi Mae Salong and Santikiri - once a KMT encampment, this is where to find Thialand's highest hotels and restaurants. Tea seems to be for sale everywhere, and the streets are scented with its delicious aroma. Here also the cherry blossom of the Japanese Sakura trees bloom. 1800 meters above sea level, with incredible panoramas and dramatic sunrises and sets, spooky and magical mists. Never too hot! Chinese temples, open-air bazaar, preserved fruit factories, farm fresh Yunnanese cuisine, curving streets and a variety of inexpensive but pleasant accommodations. A co-op store offers homemade wines.

The Kok River - said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoilt in the world, it originates in Burma and flows 130 kilometers through Tha Ton in Chiang Mai Province through Chiang Rai city, then joins the Mekhong below Chiang Saen. A long-tail boat ride between Tha Ton and Chiang Rai takes 4 to 6 hours. Rafting is popular, and there are elephant rides along the banks.

The Park area along the north bank of the Mae Kok, across from the long-tail boat docks, between the Dusit and the Rimkok Resorts. Princess Mother 90 Park to the west of the Mae Sai Bridge (just north of the "ha yaak" 5 way intersection).
The Universe map around the City Pillar on Doi Jom Tong
Wholesale flower gardens past Rajapat north on Hwy 1 Flowerland on the west and C.R. Orchard Gardens on the east (15 km north of town).
The flower business along Pratu Chiang Mai Road offers orchids. It's sponsored by the Princess Mother's foundation for natural medicine and also by military wives and is well worth a visit.
Kaset Tech, south of Den Ha on RachaYotha Road (1121)
Pong Sali Arboretum, south of the Forestry Training Center on Rt 1, between Km 818 and 819.
4.5 kilos west of Ban Huai San Pad Pah (21 kilos south from Den Ha on 1211) is a beautiful reservoir, with Musur and Akha people nearby. The raod west is incredible. A little closer, 16 km out, is Tap Tim, with plastic boats, floating party houses, a cheap restaurant, fishing and karaoke.

Tree Frog

Suan SomDet Ya - by Rajapat Teachers College. Maybe regal is the word? Nature tamed? Anyway, grand gardens visible across a large lake. Some interesting buildings. At the other side of the campus is Ban Dam, by Mu 2 Tambon NongLeh, which belongs to Ajaan Tawan Datchanee, a famous artist. Follow a dirt road at the end of the paved. There are incredible rock gardens, gorgeous carvings, beautiful architecture, and examples of splendid ancient craftsmanship on display in picture windows, enormous drums, white jedis and a little lake.

Suan Doi Ob - on towards Mae Chan, on the west side of the highway.
Kew Taap Yang Reforestation Park - near the radio/TV relay station southeast of Mae Chan, across Hwy 1 from Suan Doi Ob.
Mae Chan Highland Forestry Development Project
Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non Forestry Park (Sleeping Lady Lagoon) - 13 km south of Mae Sai. Good nature trail
Doi Luang National Park - 65 km south of C.R. City; 1,170 sq. kilos, extending into Chiang Mai, Lampang and Phayao.
Ban Wawi green tea valley, past Huay Kaew Falls, has 12 ethnic groups in the area, mountain bikes for rent, lynchees, oranges and a Jeen Haw Mosque.
Siew Flower Area - south of Poo Hin SheeFaa near Doi Yao, northeast of Thoeng by the eastern border.
Ban Karen Ruammit - elephant camp one hour by boat from C.R.
Yonok Lake View - west of Chiang Saen, just south of 1016.
PuChiFah - from Thoeng to Bangka (24km), then 19 km and a 1-kilometer walk. Spectacular view and sunrises, good camping, ambiance
Doi Patang viewpoint - north a bit from PuChiFa.
Wat Thoeng Sao Hin (ruins at Thoeng)
Phadok Forest Park - east of Wiang Chai by Rt 1152 at Doi Hom Hae, with waterfall and reservoir
Phra That Doi Jong Salab Saeng, Phra That Jom Muak Kaeo and Cheong Doi, southwest of Mae Lao, near Routes 118 and 1211, and Highway 1.
Pu Gang Park and Waterfall, 10 km south of Phan
Nong Bong Kai lake north of the Kok River between Doi Luang nd Chiang Saen, north of 1098 from Ban Mae Laknear Ban Tha Khao Pluak, at Ban Rai.
Laan Tong Cultural Park, 17 km west of Mae Jaan, left me with a negative impression. Biggest gong in the world.