Chiang Mai terrain is primarily composed of hills and mountains, called “Doi” in Northern Thai language. There are a variety of interesting Dois to visit, and here are some popular options for you, the sightseeing lovers!

Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon is without doubt, one of the most famous Dois in Chiang Mai and the highest mountain in Thailand to ever exist. The highest peak of the lushful rainforest rises up to 2,565 meters above sea level. It is home to more than 300 species of birds and 400 species of forest animals. It is rich in its ecosystems and sheltered by abundant, massive, lingering pine trees and viridescent evergreens. A river of bodies can be seen flowing from the wondrous waterfall and it is a great sight for bird watching. At its peak also lies Doi Inthanon’s greatest Holy Relics Pagoda, built to commemorate the King’s and Queen’s 60th Birthday. You can find various kinds of fresh, colorful flowers and enjoy a cup of homemade hot coffee while you’re at it. The weather is chilly most of the year and a wide panoramic view of the hazy mountain fog can be seen throughout. 

Since it consists of varying viewpoints, and tourist attractions, there are different routes to get to different places. You will need to decide this prior to your visit. If you’re looking to visit the top of the Doi then driving is recommended. The road and the distance up the Doi can be challenging so if you think that it wouldn’t be a great idea to take your vehicle up the Doi alone, then another available option is the pick-up service at the Mae Klang Waterfall. There is a cost that comes with this and the different tourist attractions – definitely worth the visit!

Doi Mon Jam

Mon Jam is a farming community up the mountaintops of Mae Rim, one hour away from the town of Chiang Mai. It is a part of the Nong Hoi Royal Project, it was previously claimed by hill tribe villagers until the mountains became damaged with infertile soils and unhealthy plant growths. The King and the Royal Family soon bought this land with plans of implementing ways to restore it. Mon Jam villagers were taught how to grow crops like strawberries and herbs in return for income based on the visitors who were visiting. It’s now improved the quality of lives of many hill tribe villagers and is now a research center for cold weather crops. It is also significant in the agriculture of Thailand. 

It’s a great place to visit with beautiful viewpoints of wonderful foggy mountains. The weather is good for a cup of coffee and maybe a couple of freshly picked strawberries. There are all kinds of activities to do in Mon Jam like coastal ziplines, canopy walking, swimming in the waterfall, etc. Some come with a cost and some don’t. The hill isn’t as steep and the road isn’t as challenging as Doi Inthanon so driving a car up yourself shouldn’t be a problem. If not, there are other ways to get to Mon Jam like getting taxis or sitting on scooters. Either way, Mon Jam is definitely one of the places you should take a visit once you’re here in Chiang Mai. 

Doi Ang Khang

Doi Ang Khang is one of the first agricultural stations set by King Rama 9. The Doi can be found on the mountains of the Fang District in Chiang Mai. Similar to Mon Jam, original hilltribes claimed the land and grew opiums for income, but this wasn’t very successful. The King noticed the problem and bought the land for research. He noticed that specific fruits and vegetables were suitable for the cold weather. Sooner, it became a place for experiments of cold winter crops and was later named the “Royal Agricultural Station AngKhang” by King Rama 9. It’s now made a sustainable income for hill tribe farmers and has become one of the must-see Chiang Mai tourist attractions.

There are a lot of things to do and places to visit in Doi Ang Khang. The most well-known would be the Luang Ang Khang Agricultural Center – where the first agricultural station took place. Suan Paesib, Suan Somdej, Kham Doi Garden and The Descending Strawberry field are also places you should visit. In 2020, the beautiful Doi also welcomed a new member of Japanese cherry blossoms. It’s a great place for a peaceful tour and a quick instagram snapshot. 

It takes around 3 hours to get to Doi Ang Khang by bus, car, or taxi. The transportation is also on the pricey side, with the cheapest being via bus. 

Doi Chiang Dao

Doi Chiang Dao ranks the third highest mountain in Chiang Mai, after Doi Inthanon and Doi Pha Hom Hok. The Doi itself rises up to 2,195 meters above sea level. It is unique for being a cone-shaped limestone mountain and for having cold chilly weather throughout the year. Though it doesn’t rank itself as the highest mountain in Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao has the sharpest cliffs and peaks out of all three mountains. This makes it popular for trekking and mountain climbing, especially if you are looking for an adventurous or exciting sport to experience in Chiang Mai! 

The journey to Doi Chiang Dao requires an official approval letter from the Director of Wildlife Conservation Office two weeks prior to the visit. The process of getting to the peak can also be challenging but the views of the deciduous forest trees and the still standing mountaintops are amazing, and it is much more quiet in comparison to other Dois. It is definitely worth the hassle, especially for lovers of mountain trekkers and hiking. 

If you look for breathtaking views and natural beauty of sunrise or sunset of mountains, stay close to the different Dois in Chiang Mai with us at Rimping Village!