Nestled in the lush mountains of Mae Fa Luang, Thailand, Doi Tung Palace is a stunning architectural marvel surrounded by vibrant gardens and rich cultural heritage. Visitors are captivated by its serene landscapes, unique floral displays, and the royal history that echoes through its halls, making it a must-visit destination.
Doi Tung Palace, located in Tambun Mae Fa Luang, is a captivating destination that showcases the exquisite beauty of Thai architecture and nature. Built as a royal residence for the late Princess Mother, the palace stands as a symbol of the royal family’s commitment to regional development and conservation. The palace grounds feature well-maintained gardens filled with colorful flowers and lush greenery, providing a perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls and breathtaking photography. As you wander through the park, explore the insightful exhibitions that celebrate the cultural heritage and the princess’s efforts in improving the lives of local farmers. Additionally, the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains add a sense of tranquility and wonder. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of this serene location, which transcends mere sightseeing, inviting all to embrace the beauty of nature and the legacy of the royal family. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat or a cultural experience, Doi Tung Palace promises an unforgettable journey through Thailand’s royal past.
Doi Tung Palace (เมืองเชียงราย, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Doi Tung Palace is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Tambun Mae Fa Luang, Amphoe Mae Fa Luang, Thailand
The place isn’t ‘unforgettable’, the gardens are indeed full of flowers, but the top of the visit is the life of the queen mother as very well described in the introduction section of the audio guide. So don’t jump immediately to room 1 and take the time to listen to this absolutely incredible story.
We hired a van to tour Chiang Rai including Doi Tung in December 2019. We walked around for one hour. Doi Tung was beautiful. However I visited the Doi Tung Palace years ago. The Palace was beautiful.
… peaceful place with nice “real” history about Rama 9 s mother which lives in Switzerland with her kids, a Swiss Thai Chalet Palace with a beautiful garden and view over Thailand and Myanmar
This villa was one of the homes of the Princess Mother (Kings VIII and IX) and is set on a mountain surrounded by beautiful gardens. You can tour the home and learn more about her and her amazing life and work. She was one very busy lady!!
My most enduring memory of Thailand is this wonderful experience. The botanical gardens are truly beautiful and the museum recently added to the grounds bring emotional tears to the eye with an amazing insight into the country’s history. As a farang luckily married to the most beautiful local girl I just simply love this visiting place as often as I can.
beautiful garden landscape, made out of wood, worth seeing, they provide head phone once in palace, which expalins diffrent rooms/areas of the palace.
About 50 km by road from Chiang Rai, so it is a bit of a trek. But if you have rented a car (please do in Chiang Rai!), this is definitely worth doing. The villa itself is pretty, but getting there, and walking around near it, are what made the day so much fun. The drive is partly flat, but about half of it is on curving mountain roads. The drive felt very safe, as the roads are good and the drivers around seemed sensible. Once you enter the complex, there are some very interesting little stalls selling fruit, dry fruits, seasoning ingredients etc.
I was underwhelmed by the royal villa itself. The audio tour was helpful, though clearly intended to cast the princess in a very favorite light. We didn’t go into the gardens but they looked pretty. Overall, nice setting but hardly a must see.
The Royal Villa is 600 meters from the town centre. It is up an incline and a Golf Cart can be hired from Tourism Kiosk at the market @ 1000 THB for an hour which should be an adequate duration.The approach to the Palace is through a well laid out garden, on display are a wide beds with a variety of flowers, that flourish in a temperate climate.. To enter the Royal Palace, one is required to remove footwear. The lacquered wooden flooring is well-maintained. From the balcony, one can look down onto the gardens of Mae Fah Luang.The visitor is restricted to a few sections of the palace. In the main audience hall, a very large portrait is respectfully placed (pic). The whole effect is calming and inspiring. Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra in 1972, launched the Doi Tung Development Project. (DTDP) to alleviate the poverty and pull the locals out of drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle. Today there is agriculture, Coffee and Macadamia plantation, as also Vanilla plants that can be seen. Tourism has got a shot with excellent connectivity, 90 mins from Chiang Rai airport, taxi 1000 THB (airport counter). We flew in from Phuket, (90 mins) on arrival at Chiang Rai drove straight up here to the Doi Tung Villas (read about them elsewhere), and stayed two nights.
We visited Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden and Mae Fah Luang Arboretum. We paid 110 each for the 3 attractions because we were seniors or student. If you have less time or not interested in trees, can leave out the 3rd attractions, especially it is 9 km from the other 2 attractions. What I like most about visited Doi Tung Royal Villaare the flowers leading to it as well as those outside the villa. The Mae Fah Luang Garden is also very beautiful, with many types of flowers, arranged in beautiful patterns. I found the arboretum less interesting as I have no special interests for trees. The vegetables there looked beautiful though.