DOI TUNG ROYAL VILLA

High in the forested mountains of northern Chiang Rai you will find Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden with its colorful flowers, tall trees and a cooler climate compared to southern parts of the province.

The Doi Tung Royal Villa stands on a hillside overlooking the mountains of Chiang Rai. Its wooden architecture combines the steep roofs and carved details of northern Thailand’s traditional Lanna style with the appearance of a Swiss mountain chalet, while the surrounding trees and gardens enhance its picturesque setting. The Swiss influence reflects the years the Princess Mother spent living in Switzerland.

You can walk through selected rooms and learn more about the life and work of the Princess Mother. The furnishings have been preserved to show how she lived while staying at Doi Tung. An optional audio-guided tour is often available in several languages, allowing visitors to wear headphones that explain the building’s history as they explore different parts of the villa. Modest clothing and respectful behavior is expected when visiting.

Unfortunately photography is not permitted inside the Royal Villa, but you are welcome to take photos of the building’s exterior and surrounds.

Directly below the Royal Villa is the beautiful Mae Fah Luang Garden, one of the most colorful landscaped gardens in northern Thailand. The hillside has been transformed into a carefully maintained display of flower beds, lawns, ornamental shrubs and mature trees.

Depending on the season, you may see salvia, petunias, begonias, roses and many other decorative plants. Ferns, large perennials and temperate-climate orchids also grow well in Doi Tung’s cooler mountain conditions. The flower displays are regularly changed, so the appearance of the garden varies throughout the year.

Best time to visit during the day is dependent on what you would prefer. Morning is particularly pleasant, when the air is cooler, the light is softer, and with the surrounding mountains often shrouded in mist. Stronger sunlight later in the day brings out the vivid reds, yellows, purples and pinks of the flower beds. There are also shaded sections with canopy umbrellas for taking a break from the sun.

There is also a hilltribes handicraft souvenir bazaar located next to the main road, several restaurants, cafes, and other interesting places to explore other than the main villa grounds.

Allow at least two to three hours to explore the Royal Villa and garden comfortably. More time will be needed when visiting the Hall of Inspiration, local shops, cafés or other attractions around Doi Tung.

The cooler season from November to February is an especially pleasant time to visit and offers plenty of opportunities to take great photos. Temperatures are milder, the mountain air is fresh and many of the flower displays are at their most colorful. The gardens remain attractive throughout the year, although rain and cloud are more likely during the wet season.

Because the location is in the northern part of Chiang Rai province, a strong haze can develop from February until April during farmland burn-offs of rice stubble after harvesting by locals and neighboring countries.

The site is generally open during daytime hours, but opening times, entrance fees and access conditions due to the weather can change. Check the latest information before beginning the journey from Chiang Rai city.

Travelling by private hire car or organised tour to Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Gardens is generally the easiest option. Driving yourself is not recommended, as the winding mountain roads and limited directional signage could make the journey difficult. Extra skill and care is required during wet or misty conditions.
Doi Tung is a 51 km drive north of Chiang Rai city that takes about 1.5 hours. If you decide to drive, then take Highway 1, Phahonyothin Road, from Chiang Rai and drive north for about 42km. Then turn left into highway 1149 and carefully follow the road signs and verify using a GPS navigation system which is a recommended option for hire cars in Thailand. The road from the base of the mountain is steep and winding, so a small city car may struggle with the climb.