Doi Mae Salong (Santikhiri)
Yunnanese Chinese hill town settled by former KMT soldiers, known for oolong tea, a morning market and mountain views.
- Category
- Mountains & Hiking
- Entrance fee
- Free (village)
- Hours
- Open anytime; morning market best around dawn
- Best time
- Cool season; Dec-Jan for the Thai-sakura cherry blossoms.
- Time needed
- Half to full day (or overnight)
- Difficulty
- Easy: hilltop village; optional climb to Wat Santikhiri viewpoint (~700 steps)
About Doi Mae Salong (Santikhiri)
A Yunnanese Chinese hill town settled by former KMT soldiers, and it feels genuinely different from anywhere else in Thailand. Think oolong tea, a lively morning market, and mountain views in every direction.
This is a real hidden gem and one of my favourites in the province. The tea is excellent, the Yunnan food is a treat, and the whole place has a distinctive, slightly other-world character.
Come in cool season, and if you can time it for December or January you'll catch the Thai-sakura cherry blossoms. The morning market is best right around dawn, so staying overnight pays off. There's an optional climb of some 700 steps up to the Wat Santikhiri viewpoint if you want to earn the view.
Highlights
- Yunnanese Chinese hill town founded by former KMT soldiers
- Excellent oolong tea and Yunnan food
- Lively dawn morning market
- Optional climb to the Wat Santikhiri viewpoint
Tips
- Come in cool season, December to January for cherry blossoms
- Stay overnight to catch the dawn market
- The mountain road is winding, allow extra time
- Climb the roughly 700 steps to Wat Santikhiri for the view
How to get there
~65 km NW (1.5-2 h). Car/motorbike, or songthaew via Ban Basang. Winding mountain road.