Doi Mae Salong - From Opium to Oolong

Doi Mae Salong – From Opium to Oolong

After more than 15 years, I finally found my way back to Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Rai – a mountain village in Northern Thailand, just a stone’s throw from the Golden Triangle and overlooking the Myanmar border.

Doi Mae Salong feels like another world

1,200 metres above sea level – Endless green tea plantations

At around 1,200 metres above sea level, Mae Salong feels like another world. Cool mountain air, misty valleys, endless green tea plantations and a fascinating blend of Thai, Yunnanese Chinese and hill-tribe cultures.

Rent a Car for Doi Mae Salong

Thailand’s finest Oolong tea plantations

What makes this place even more remarkable is its history. Once part of the wider Golden Triangle region, Mae Salong was closely connected to the opium trade. Former Chinese soldiers eventually settled here, and over time the mountains underwent an extraordinary transformation – from opium fields to some of Thailand’s finest Oolong tea plantations.

101 Tea Plantation in Doi Mae Salong

101 Tea Plantation

High in the mountains of Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Rai, surrounded by rolling green hills and cool mountain air, 101 Tea Plantation is one of the most beautiful places to experience Northern Thailand’s tea culture.

Exploring Mae Salong at your own pace

Opening Hours:
Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Best time to visit: Early morning, when the mountain air is cool and mist often hangs over the tea fields.

Why Visit 101 Tea Plantation?

Don’t Leave Without Trying the Tea 🍵

Of course, the main reason to visit 101 Tea Plantation is the tea tasting.

Visitors can sample different varieties of locally produced Oolong tea and discover how dramatically the flavour can change from one variety to another. Popular varieties include Oolong No. 12, Oolong No. 17, Osmanthus Oolong and Red Oolong, each offering its own aroma and character.

Discover 101 Tea Plantation in Doi Mae Salong

Explore Doi Mae Salong at Your Own Pace

For this mountain road trip, our Toyota Yaris Cross was the perfect choice – comfortable on the winding mountain roads, spacious enough for the journey and ideal for exploring Mae Salong at your own pace.

Mae Salong - Yunnanese and Sichuan influences are everywhere.

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Doi Mae Salong - Walk Through the Tea Fields

If you require any further information, feel free to contact us:

BudgetCatcher
Car & Motorbike Rental Chiang Mai
English: 0876 – 22 77 99
Thai: 0876 – 22 99 77