Doi Mae Salong, Mountain in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.
Doi Mae Salong is a mountain in Chiang Rai Province whose slopes are covered with tea plantations. The peak reaches 1,367 meters and offers views across the surrounding Dan Lao mountain range.
In 1961, Chinese Kuomintang soldiers established a settlement here after being driven out of Burma. They later received Thai citizenship and shaped the development of communities on the mountain.
The region displays Chinese heritage through everyday practices: residents speak Mandarin, run restaurants serving Yunnan food, and build homes in traditional styles. You notice this influence throughout the hillside settlements, from market stalls to street names and decorative details.
Reach the mountain via winding roads from Chiang Rai; buses run during daylight hours, especially from November through February. The area is accessible year-round, but cooler months offer more comfortable conditions for exploring.
The elevation creates its own climate with temperatures between 4 and 20 degrees Celsius, ideal for growing Oolong tea. These cool conditions are rare in the tropical region and make the tea harvest here exceptionally high quality.
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