Tea plantations
On the mountain slopes.
JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · https://www.flickr.com/photos/kudumomo/ — CC BY 2.0 · Alexey Komarov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexey Komarov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexey Komarov — CC BY-SA 4.0
A Chinese mountain village at over twelve hundred metres north-west of Chiang Rai, officially named Santikhiri, Hill of Peace. It was founded in the 1960s by soldiers of the Kuomintang's 93rd Division who retreated from Yunnan after the Chinese revolution and settled here with their families; their descendants still speak the Yunnan dialect. Tea plantations cover the slopes around the village, one of Thailand's best-known oolong areas, and tea shops along the main road offer free tastings. On the hilltop stands a large white and gold stupa built in honour of the Princess Mother Srinagarindra, with views over the mountains to the Myanmar border, and a small museum tells the soldiers' story. In December and January wild cherry trees bloom pink along the roads. There is no fee for the village. Yunnan food is a speciality here, such as hand-pulled noodles and steamed buns; some dishes contain pork, so ask before ordering. The road up is mountainous and full of bends, so drive carefully or hire a driver. The finest months are November to February, with cool clear mornings; March and April bring smoke from hill burning. It is best to stay a night to see mist fill the valley at dawn, then drink tea in the cold morning.
On the mountain slopes.
Descendants of Yunnan soldiers.
With views to Myanmar.
Mae Fa Luang district, about 70 km north-west of Chiang Rai town
From November to February, at its loveliest in December and January when wild cherry blooms and mornings are cold.