As you know Chiangrai is the most northern province  in Thailand.  It shares a border with two countries, the Lao PDR and Myanmar.

Self driving is ideal for travel in this city because it has beautiful scenery and gracious people.

Today we will talk about a most beautiful and attractive place . Not many foreign tourists visit this place because it’s quite long a distance from the city of Chiang Rai and there is not much public transportation. It’s better to rent a car and driver or self drive.

The  place is “Phu Chi Fah” and “Doi Pha Tang”

Phu Chi Fa is 1,628 metres above sea level. In the cool season, the landscape is very  charming.

And Doi Pha Tang located some 65 kilometres from Chiang Khong District, this scenic mountain is the home of Chinese, Hmong and Yao ethnic minorities. From the hilltop, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Thai and Lao rural areas. The mountain is more popular during winter when the cherries blossom and a sea of mist covers the whole area.

About Phu Chi Fa Mount:  Its top is shaped like a finger pointing to the sky and this is why the mountain is called “Phu Chi Fa” (the mountain pointing to the sky). When on the mountain top, you can absorb the beauty of the fluffy mist that seems to embrace you and the mountain.

Besides the mist, travellers to Phu Chi Fa will love the white bauhinias (Bauhinia variegata Linn.) which bloom from February to March, painting the forests with its white colour. And from December to January there are Cherry blossom which Thais called “Nang Phraya Suhkhrong”

When you drive to Phu Chi Fa, there are a lot of guest houses. In the low season some guest house would cost you less than 1,000 THB/night. But in high season some guest houses up the price to two or three thousand THB. Better to pre-book early.

You have to park your car at the parking area then the trek to the summit of Phu Chi Fa is approximately 1.5 kilometers. Along the way to you can see the beauty of nature. The most popular time to visit is early morning to see the morning mist. But I like to go about five o’clock in the evening because it is not so crowded and has beautiful lighting, a nice breeze, and you can see the landscape below very clearly.

If  you are standing at the summit of Phu Chi Fa ,you are exactly on the edge of Thailand border . Lao PDR is just one step away (but it is better not to step across because it is a deep chasm!).

I’d love to sit here quietly alone in the evening. Looking at the mountain view in front of me.

Recommended period: December-February
To get there: From Chiang Rai city, use Chiang Rai-Thoeng Route (64 km) and then turn onto Thoeng-Pang Kha Route (24 km). Then there is a road leading to Phu Chi Fa (19 km).

For more information, please contact Phu Chi Fa Forest Park Po District, Wiangkaen County, Chiang Rai, Tel: 0 5371 4914 Fax: 0 5371 1961.

By Dr. Manta – Chiang Rai Bulletin