National park · Thailand
Phu Chi Fa Forest Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติฟูจี้ฟ้า
Visit Phu Chi Fa for a sunrise hike: take the 750 m walk from the parking lot before 06:00 (30 THB entry) in Dec–Feb for clear clouds, or explore the village and trails any day; avoid peak holiday crowds.Visit Phu Chi Fa for a sunrise hike: take the 750 m walk from the parking lot before 6:00 AM (30 THB entry) in Dec–Feb for clear clouds, or explore the village and trails any day; avoid peak holiday crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- check
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Chiang Rai
Phu Chi Fa Forest Park in Chiang Rai Province offers a high‑altitude sunrise viewpoint reachable by a short 750 m walk from the parking lot; the site is inexpensive, with a 30 THB entry fee, and is best visited in the cool, clear months of December to February when cloud‑sea views are most likely.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 2000
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Chiang Rai.
Why go
- Sunrise over a sea of clouds from a high viewpoint.
- Panoramic view of the Thai‑Laos border and rolling hills.
- Local hill‑tribe culture with songs along the trail.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanClear skies, cold mornings.
- FebCold mornings, good sunrise chance.
- MarCool, occasional clouds.
- AprWarmer, still decent sunrise.
- MayHeat rises, clouds increase.
- JunHot, occasional rain.
- JulRainy season, low visibility.
- AugRainy season, low visibility.
- SepRainy season, low visibility.
- OctDrying, cooler evenings.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecCold mornings, clear sunrise.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal cloud seaOct–Mar · Best for sunrise photography. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Chiang Rai city
Minibus departs 13:00, 150 THB (≈ US$5) one‑way, 2½–3 h via Rte 1021.Minibus departs 1:00 PM, 150 THB (≈ US$5) one‑way, 2½–3 h via Rte 1021.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Chiang Rai airport (by car)
Rent a car (~1,000 THB/day) and drive 2½–3 h via Rte 1 → 1020 → 1021.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parking lot | Vehicle parking, ticket booth, basic shop. | Open daily. |
| Viewpoint trail | 750 m dirt path to summit with sunrise platform. | Open; entry fee applies. |
| Phu Chi Fa village | Lodging, restaurants, market. | Open to visitors. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on Wikidata centre of the park; viewpoint location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise entry (parking lot to viewpoint) | THB 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Paid at the park entrance. |
| Minibus from Chiang Rai to Phu Chi Fa village (one‑way) | THB 150 (≈ US$5) | person | Leaves Chiang Rai at 13:00, 2½–3 h. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ฿30≈ under US$1
- ฿150≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated village sites; no wild camping in the forest.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Pets
- Not allowed on the trail.
Where to stay
Near the park
Phu Chi Fa village lodgings
Tents ~200 THB, bungalows 500–800 THB; negotiate price.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Cold mornings low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot reachable by car; short walk to viewpoint is level ground but may be slippery when wet.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and souvenirs from village vendors to support the local economy.
- Avoid litter; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Phu Chi Fa?
Entry to the sunrise viewpoint costs 30 THB per person; the minibus from Chiang Rai is 150 THB one‑way.
What are the best hikes in Phu Chi Fa?
The main hike is the 750 m walk from the parking lot to the summit for sunrise; longer walks around the village are optional.
When is the best time to visit Phu Chi Fa?
December to February give the clearest sunrise and cold mornings; avoid the rainy months July‑September.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is only allowed in the designated village campsite; wild camping in the forest is prohibited.
How do I get to Phu Chi Fa from Chiang Rai?
Take the 13:00 minibus (150 THB) or drive 2½–3 h via Rte 1021.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Phu Chi Fa Forest Park
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