Major city · Thailand
Doi Tung
Half-day trip from Chiang Rai or Mae Sai: the Royal Villa, gardens and hilltop temple. Not a base — sleep in Chiang Rai.
Doi Tung is a mountain in northern Chiang Rai Province, near the Myanmar border. It is best known for the Doi Tung Royal Villa — the former residence of the Princess Mother — and the Mae Fah Luang Garden, a non-profit royal project that also reforested the area. The 10th-century Wat Phra That Doi Tung sits at the summit with wide views. Most visitors come as a half-day trip from Chiang Rai or Mae Sai, or combine it with Mae Salong.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Jul–Oct (rain)
- Airport
- CEI
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Doi Tung191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Doi Tung, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyDoi Tung is safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCEI Chiang Rai International Airport (About 1 h by car; taxis and private transfers available.).
- Getting aroundNo public transport on the mountain.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Mae Fah Luang Garden Cafe฿60–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Doi Tung Royal Villa and GardenMay vary; closed Mondays.฿90 (≈ US$3) (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room in Chiang Rai, a night, per room฿600 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room in Chiang Rai, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room in Chiang Rai, a night, per room฿2,500 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿1,500 (≈ US$50) · High ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CEI Chiang Rai International Airport (About 1 h by car; taxis and private transfers available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Jul–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Doi Tung: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport on the mountain. Best by rented car, motorbike or hired songthaew from Chiang Rai or Mae Sai. The road is paved but winding.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive via Hwy 1149 and 1234, about 40 min
Tea plantations and Yunnan-style villages; combine with Doi Tung for a full day.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive south on Hwy 1, about 45 min
White Temple, Blue Temple and night market.
Door to door: About 40 min
Drive north on Hwy 1, about 30 min
Border town with Myanmar; markets and visa runs.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Drive east on Hwy 1 and 1129, about 1 h
Old city walls and Mekong River views.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chiang Rai city
Best base: 45 min drive, wide choice of hotels and guesthouses.
Mae Sai
Closer to Doi Tung (30 min), but fewer options; useful if crossing into Myanmar.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–2,500 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room in Chiang Rai1 × 1 night × ฿1,200 | ฿1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿1,500 | ฿3,000 |
| Songthaew from Chiang Rai (round trip)1 × ฿1,500 · check | ฿1,500 |
| Car rental (one day)1 × ฿1,200 · check | ฿1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿690 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,795 per person per day, bed included | ฿7,590≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Entry to Doi Tung Royal Villa and GardenMay vary; closed Mondays. | ฿90 (≈ US$3) (check) |
| Coffee at Mae Fah Luang Garden Cafe | ฿60–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Songthaew from Chiang Rai (one way) | ฿700–1,000 (≈ US$25–35) (check) |
| Petrol (1 litre) | ฿35–40 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Royal Villa and Garden are closed on Mondays (check).
- No food stalls inside the Royal Villa complex; eat at the Mae Fah Luang Garden Cafe or bring snacks.
- Wat Phra That Doi Tung requires a climb; dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist Police
- 1155
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Doi TungDoi Tung
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist Police1155
Embassy
Most embassies are in Bangkok; the nearest consulate is in Chiang Mai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Songthaew Chiang Rai → Doi Tung: about ฿700–1,000 (≈ US$25–35), 45 min (check)
- Car rental (one day): about ฿1,200–1,800 (≈ US$40–60)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawasdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khob khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much? (thao rai)
- แพงเกินไป — Too expensive (phaeng koen pai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu thi nai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Doi Tung. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Jul–Oct (rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, Wat Phra That Doi Tung with opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages for the Mae Fah Luang Garden Cafe and nearby restaurants.
- Transport page: songthaew and taxi rates from Chiang Rai and Mae Sai.
Sources
Ask about Doi Tung
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