Top Experiences in Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong

Sustainable developments by HRH The Princess Mother have benefitted Chiang Rai during her time at Doi Tung. The Swiss-inspired Royal Villa has been the backbone of her efforts by this beloved member of the Royal Family, is now open for the public to see.

• Wander around the mountain villa of The Princess Mother
• Join local Buddhists in pay respect at the Doi Tung temple
• Enter small settlements of ethnic minorities
• Breathe in the fresh mountain air at Doi Tung
• Return transfers from and to your hotel are included.

Visit the Ancient City of Chiang Saen on a full-day tour from Chiang Rai City. Enjoy the flexibility of a profesionall guide throughout the day as you visit the Botanical Gardens and Royal Villa of the Queen mother, Golden Triangle, Mae Sai and more, with a break for lunch in a local restaurant. This 8 hours tour from Chiang Rai includes pickup and drop-off at city hotels, lunch, and entrance fees, and it’s a fun, personal way to explore the sites of northern Thailand.
• Exploration of Chiang Rai's must-see sights in 1 day
• Cultural heritage in the ancient ruins of Chiang Saen
• Panoramic landscapes over magnificent Mekong River
• Pivotal Golden Triangle bordering Thailand, Myanmar & Laos
• Informative, friendly and professional guide

The name Doi Tung means ‘Flag Peak’. In the past, the forest area around Doi Tung was destroyed by shifting slash-and-burn cultivation. Opium implantation was once common all over Doi Tung. In 1987 the Doi Tung Development Project was established according to the King’s Mother initiative. Opium cultivation has been virtually eliminated following a Royal Crop Substitution Project. A visit is made at Mae Fah Luang Gardens and Royal Villa.

Drive further up to Wat Phra Thad Doi Tung on the mountain peak, regarded as the holiest sanctuary by the residents of Chiang Rai and nearby provinces. The Wat was built in A.D. 911 and it is believed that the left collarbone of Lord Buddha is enshrined in the twin pagodas. The legend says Phraya Achutarat (King of Chiang Saen) marked the spot where the twin pagodas were constructed and ordered a giant flag to be flown from the peak of the mountain. Evidence of this (a big hole for a flag pole) is still can be seen in the temple area.