Thailand isn’t exactly a mountainous region. In fact, there is just a two-metre difference in elevation from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, over 100 km apart. Central Thailand is relatively flat.
However, head to the far north of Thailand and you will find a completely different landscape. The province of Chiang Rai is surrounded by mountain ranges to both the east and west, each with a diverse culture and breathtaking scenery.
On the east you will find amazing sunrise viewpoints, overlooking Laos and the Mekong River. On the west, you can visit ethnic hill tribes, take a walk through tea plantations, then watch the sunset over Myanmar in the afternoon.
Here are five scenic mountain peaks you should visit in Chiang Rai.
Phu Chi Fa (elevation 1,442 metres)
Phu Chi Fa is quickly becoming one of Thailand’s most iconic viewpoints, and for a good reason. The views here are stunning.
To be here for sunrise you will either have to depart Chiang Rai by 3.30am or spend a night at the village just below the peak. In the early morning you will climb to the peak in the darkness, then look out over the sea of clouds below you as the sun rises.
Doi Patang (elevation 1,389 metres)
Doi Patang is located just north of Phu Chi Fa. It is just a 15-minute walk to the top of the mountain where you will be presented with captivating views of the Thai countryside.
In the distance you will be able to see the Mekong River far below, forming the border of Thailand and Laos. From here the river continues north to the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen. Walk the trails north and south of Doi Patang for more incredible views over Laos.
Doi Mae Salong (elevation 1,367 metres)
On the western side of Chiang Rai you will find Doi Mae Salong, just 6 km from Myanmar. The area is iconic for its coffee and tea plantations, cultivated by the villagers from the Akha ethnicity.
The Akha people are originally from Yunnan in China. Here you will be surprised by how Chinese influenced the area. In the afternoon, enjoy the sunset over the Mae Salong Village.
Doi Tung (elevation 1,389 metres)
Doi Tung is located at the far north of Chiang Rai, just 45 minutes along the border from Mae Sai. This mountain is famous for its sprawling gardens populated with exotic international flower collections and an iconic treetop walk.
Doi Tung forms part of the western mountain range along the Myanmar border known as the Daen Lao Range.
Doi Hua Mae Kham (elevation 1,850 metres)
Doi Hua Mae Kham is located in the far northwest of the province, about as remote as you can get in Chiang Rai. The road out to Doi Hua Mae Kham takes about three hours from Chiang Rai along small, winding roads towards the Myanmar border.
The area is inhabited by a range of hill tribes including Akha and Lisu and Hmong. Visiting this area will give you a true understanding of the hill tribe culture in Chiang Rai.
Thailand may not have a mountain range the size of the Swiss Alps, or the Himalayas, however these mountains are unique with stunning scenery and diverse cultures to discover.
If you want to escape the tropical heat of Bangkok, explore the hills where ethnic tribes reside, and watch the best sunrises and sunsets the country has to offer, you definitely must make a trip up north.
Chiang Rai and its mountains are waiting for you!
This article first appeared in thelostpassport.com
Josh Shephard is an intrepid traveler, blogger and photographer on The Lost Passport. He has spent five years living in Bangkok, the biggest, craziest city in Thailand, and has traveled from Mongolia to Indonesia and everywhere else in between, to find the most unique and exciting destinations Asia has to offer.