Doi Pha Tang (ดอยผาตั้ง), about 160 kilometres from the Chiang Rai town, is a viewing point on top of a high cliff over the Thai-Laotian border affording a delightful scene for the river and the sea of mist throughout the year. In Thai, Doi means “Hill”, Pha means “Cliff” and “Tang” means standing vertically. When combined them together, you get the meaning what it means. The name is given after the appearance of hills here that are very steep. Doi Pha Tang is tucked away in the Northern part of the country, and it is an area that remains tranquil and beautiful and offers some of the most stunning views of any place in Thailand.
In Doi Pha Tang there is a very beautiful hill on the border between Thailand and Laos located in Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai.
Doi Pha Tang is about 25 kilometers north from the well-known Chiang Rai’s tourist destination – Phu Chi Fah. Doi Pha Tang is beautiful scenic place about 1,638 meter from sea level, there is also home of ethnic groups the Chinese Haw, the Hmong (ม้ง) and Yao minorities (ชาวเย้า) you will see their own unique cultures and way of them lives.
Once in Doi Pha Tang, a traveler will feel like they have reached a peaceful world. Slowly breathing the fresh air will release your exhausted journey.
Attractions on Doi Pha Tang will be attracted by beautiful natural scenery and the channels to neighboring countries, there are including many beautiful of viewpoints and popular places during cool season when the cherries blossom with morning mist cover all area of cool breeze, green cauliflowers fields.
Doi Pha Tang is a perfect place for camping. Stresses can fall away and be replaced by a sense of happiness, calm, and peace of mind. When you have finishing preparation of your camp area it will be a good time for exploring.
There is a short from hilltop to nearby local Yunan Chinese restaurants. Along the roadside, you will see a lot of stalls selling fresh fruits such as apricots, peaches, red cherries, and Chinese pears. This region has the cool climate needed to produce these fruits that are really hard to get from other cities.
How to get there :
Doi Pha Tang is around 130 kilometers from Chiang Rai. The journey will take approximately 2 hours if you are travelling by car or 3 hours bus. Here is the direction.
1. Hire/Rent a car. The most convenient and flexible way but it will come with the cost. The it will cost from THB1500 a day if you hire a car with a driver, and starting from 1,000 Baht if you rent a car and drive yourself. There are 5 people in the group, it will cost only 200-300 Baht each and this give you more flexibility to can explore the nearby areas. If you travel alone, other methods will be more economical.
2. By bus. The bus route are;
Chiang Rai – Phu Chi Fah: 2 buses in the morning and another 2 in the afternoon. The fare is about 33 baht, taking about 3 hours.
Chiang Rai – Chiangkam, get off the bus at Wiang Kiang Bureau of Monk. Then continue with local buses that might pass by (not really recommended as you might get lost easily)
3. By a van. The vans will stop The fee is from THB100 to THB120, depending on the exact location you want to get off. The van depart from Chiang Rai station (old station) at 07:00 hours and 12:30 15:00 hours daily, taking about 2 hours. However, the vans are available during tourism months only, which is around Sep to Feb.