Day trips from Chiang Rai often combine a visit to Doi Mae Salong with nearby villages such as Mae Sai on the Myanmar border, or a tour and tasting at one of the highland tea plantations. Explore Mae Salong village with a guide to learn more about the town’s unique Chinese history, settled by Chinese nationalist soldiers after the Chinese Civil War. Arrive in the morning to stroll around the local market, sample traditional Chinese cuisine and Oolong tea at one of the village restaurants, and visit the Tomb of General Tuan Shi-wen.
Doi Mae Salong is located in northern Thailand, close to the Myanmar border. The village is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Chiang Rai or about a 1.5-hour drive. To reach the village by public transport, take a bus from Chiang Rai to Mae Chan, then a songthaew to Mae Salong. It’s far quicker and easier to arrive with private transport, so most travelers opt to visit as part of a guided tour.
It’s possible to visit Doi Mae Salong throughout the year, but it’s busiest from November to February when it’s worth booking accommodation in advance. This is also when the village’s Thai Sakura (cherry blossom) trees are in bloom. The village is most atmospheric during the morning market, but you’ll need to make an early start—the main action takes place from 5am to 8am, after which locals head to one of the local cafés for breakfast.
Other popular day trip destinations from Chiang Rai include trekking to Akha, Hmong, Lisu, and Karen villages; cruising along the Mekong River or Mae Kok River in a traditional long-tail boat; and exploring the Golden Triangle region, where you can learn more about the region’s opium trade and see the meeting point of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Closer to the city, the Singha Park offers hiking trails, ziplining, and tea plantation tours.