Mae Salong

caption=Princess Mother Hall Mae Salong (แม่สลอง), commonly called Doi Mae Salong (ดอยแม่สลอง) and officially called Santikhiri (สันติคีรี), is a village in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand.

Mae Salong Halal Explorer

Mae Salong's early history centered on the opium trade of the [[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]]. Its recent history was shaped by the 93rd Division of the Chinese Nationalist Army that refused to surrender to Chinese communists after the Nationalist Kuomintang government was routed in 1949.

Unlike most of the unrelenting nationalists that fled to Taiwan in 1949, a force of 12,000 escaped from Yunnan to Myanmar and continued an insurgency against the People's Republic. They were at first supported by Taiwan and the USA, but diplomatic shifts—which included US ambivalence towards the nationalists and improved relations between Myanmar and communist China—later led to the partial disbanding of the nationalist forces in Myanmar. While thousands left for Thailand in 1961, many remained in Myanmar.

The soldiers who settled in Mae Salong kept it as a military base in preparation for an eventual counter-attack against communist China. They funded their arms purchases with opium production and rubbed shoulders with notorious Burmese warlord and drug baron Khun Sa, who lived a few kilometers away in Ban Hin Taek and who initially trained with the Kuomintang before founding his own army.

In the 1970s the (Thai) government struck a deal with the renegades: the battle-hardened soldiers would help them fight Thailand's own communist insurgents in exchange for legitimacy and (Thai) citizenship. Part of their going straight involved the soldiers' cessation of opium production in favour of the cultivation of mushrooms and above all oolong tea, which is now Mae Salong's main product.

Some guidebooks wax lyrical about today's Mae Salong as a miniature Yunnanese Shangri-La, but if you come with this image in mind you may be a little disappointed: at first glance, Mae Salong looks much like the little (Thai) town it is. However and the crisp climate and the lingering Chinese influence, delicious native Yunnanese dishes and small hotels and guesthouses catering to visitors still make this a popular getaway, worth visiting even on a hurried day trip, but worth stopping in overnight.

How is the Climate in Mae Salong

Sunflowers blooms during November on Mae Salong hillsides - Sunflowers in Mae Salong

In November, sunflowers bloom, but the peak tourist season is during December - Feb when the hills are alive with white plum blossoms and pinkish sakura cherry blossoms. It gets misty and cold during this time, so pack a sweater and decent shoes. Tea production gets into gear toward the end of this season, with the smell of roasting tea wafting through the streets, but the same haze and rising temperatures that affect the rest of northern Thailand are in evidence here too from March onward, and the rainy season from June-October is rainy indeed.

Travel to Mae Salong

MaeSalong - Map of Mae Salong

There are two roads to Mae Salong: one from Pasang, a hamlet north of Chiang Rai on Highway 1, which is the primary street north from Bangkok to the Mae Sai border; and a second from [[Thaton (Thailand)|Thaton]], which is on the primary street north (at first Highway 107, and later Highway 1089) from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai. Both are scenic and very twisty. Pop a pill beforehand if you're prone to motion sickness.

Public transport to Mae Salong is surprisingly spotty, and having your own wheels may come in handy.

Travel on a Bus in Mae Salong

From Chiang Rai, from platform 5 take a bus towards Mae Sai. You can either:

• ask to be dropped off at Pasang (ป่าซาง)/Mae Salong (25 Baht, 1 hr). This will put you at the end of Route 1089, which heads to Chiang Mai. Beware: there's another Pasang to the east of Chiang Rai, signposted at platform 9, but this will take you in entirely the wrong direction! At the Pasang T-junction and there are blue songthaews (50 Baht/person or 400 Baht/songthaew). Try to arrive as early as feasible, since otherwise, especially in the off season, you'll be in for a long wait.

or you can:

• head a little further beyond Pasang to the market in Mae Chan (แม่จัน), whence there are four daily scheduled services to Mae Salong (07:30, 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00). The cost is 60 Baht and may involve a change of vehicle at the half-way point, in which case the fare is 30 Baht.

[[2014 June 1, Mae Fa Luang District - The scenery along road 1089 between Thaton and Mae Salong

From Thaton (ท่าตอน) and there are yellow songthaews that go directly to Mae Salong. This also offers an alternative route for Chiang Rai and Mae Sai: coming back, take the yellow songthaew to the Thaton-Mae Chan road (30 Baht), hop aboard a Thaton-Mae Chan green songthaew to Mae Chan (another 30 Baht), and then take the Chiang Rai-Mae Sai bus. This sounds complicated, but is probably faster than waiting for the "direct" songthaew to fill up.

For the return trip, both colours of songthaew hang out at the 7-Eleven in the centre of town. They stop running around 17:00, but in a pinch (or if in a hurry) and the motorcycle cabbies can ferry you to Pasang for 300 Baht.

By car

The shorter route is via Highway 1089 from Mae Chan (near Chiang Rai) towards [[Thaton (Thailand)|Thaton]] (to Chiang Mai). The signposted turn off is next to a police station. From here travel about 13 kilometers on some of the most amazingly curvy roads imaginable. The return trip to Mae Chan can be undertaken on Route 1234 and Route 1130 which wind through Yao and Akha hill tribe villages; you can also make a diversion north to visit the royal development projects and villas of Doi Tung.

Best way to travel in Mae Salong by a Taxi

You can also hire a vehicle with a driver from a travel agency or even hail a taxi from the street. Price in high-season is around 1200 to 1600 Baht from a travel agency (edited in 12/31/17). This can be a more straightforward alternative than dealing with local transport.

Get Around

Mae Salong is quite spread out, and while you can cover the central sights on foot, it is very convenient to rent a motorbike to motor around the hills and valleys. Rental cost is about 200 Baht per day. Bikes come with empty tanks, so you need to fuel up first.

What to see in Mae Salong

Mae salong KMT 01 - The Martyrs' Memorial Museum Phra Boromathat Chedi - Phra Boromathat Chedi MaeSalong PrincessMotherHall - |Princess Mother Hall

• Chinese Martyrs' Memorial Museum | Take the well-signposted turn-off from the south road after the market, a short hike or quick motorbike trip. A tribute to the Kuomintang settlers of Mae Salong who fought and died for Thailand. It exhibits their history and the development of Mae Salong.

• OTOP Agriculture Centre | This grandly named — but mostly closed — hut features a map of the nearby tea plantations and a thermometer. This viewing point is primarily a handy reference if you have your own wheels and want to do a round of the plantations.

• Phra Boromathat Chedi | A chedi (Thai-style stupa) built on a hill near Mae Salong village, in honour of the late Princess Mother, Srinagarindra. Next to the chedi is the Princess Mother Hall, a modern, Thai-style pavilion outwardly like a temple in appearance, but not containing any religious objects. There are good views across town and west towards Myanmar from the top. There are two ways up top: on foot, follow signs from the village center up the hill towards the Mae Salong Resort and Wat Santikhiri, turn to the right into a parking lot next to a smaller temple, and then go up the steep 719-step staircase. If you find yourself at the resort, you have gone too far, back up to find the parking lot. One can also drive to the top, as there's a winding, steep road that starts from behind the tourist market and curves up from behind, with breathtaking hilly views along the Myanmar border.

• Tomb of General Tuan | The mausoleum of Mae Salong's founder and erstwhile drug warlord, Kuomintang General Tuan Xi-Wen. At the end of a road beside a tea house with General Tuan's name, up another steep staircase. There's a small museum here, but unfortunately it's all in Chinese. There are some tea houses nearby, and you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mae Salong there.

• Wat Santikhiri | A modern, standard-issue (Thai) temple guarding the approach path to the Phra Boromathat Chedi. The more interesting parts of the temple lies across the street leading to the Mae Salong Resort. Peek inside for a nice little Chinese-style pavilion.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Mae Salong

There are many tribal villages (mostly Akha) within easy reach of Mae Salong, and local guesthouses can arrange treks in the area, either on foot or by horse (400 Baht for 4 hours).

For those who would prefer to get involved, consider joining the volunteers working in the nearby Akha village. There is no charge or donation required and you can work as little or as much as you like. The volunteers stay at Shin Sane Guesthouse, so ask about the project there or find it on Facebook by searching for "Akha Hill Tribe Project - Mae Salong."

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Mae Salong

XingYangTeaFactory Leaves - |Tea leaves drying outside a factory

The thing to buy in Mae Salong is the excellent local oolong tea, grown on plantations all around. The tea bushes here was originally imported from Taiwan, Province of China, well-known for its high mountain (gaoshan) teas grown in a very similar subtropical weather. As well as tea itself, tea sets from China as well as Candies, fruits, and everything else you'd need for enjoying tea Chinese-style are also available.

• Wang Put Tan | One of the largest producers in the area, you can see the giant golden teapot guarding their plantations in the fields below their flagship store. Various grades of oolong available, from 200 to 1,000 Baht per 100 g, and they'll be happy to serve up a sample.

For Akha handicrafts, Yunnanese street Snacks and affordable Chinese imports, check out the two markets in town.

• Morning Market | True to the name this place opens at the crack of dawn and most of the action is over by 08:00, making this a great place for an early breakfast. A few shops do stay open until noon and beyond.

• Tourist Market | Opens in the afternoons on the south side of town, with Akha selling local produce (tea, mushrooms, herbs) and knick-knacks to tourists.

Halal Food & Restaurants

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Mae Salong

Mae Salong - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Mae Salong, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mae Salong. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Mae Salong and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Mae Salong. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Mae Salong. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMae Salong: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Mae Salong.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Mae Salong: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Mae Salong, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Mae Salong.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Mae Salong, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Mae Salong, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Mae Salong and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Mae Salong, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Mae Salong, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Mae Salong without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mae Salong is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Mae Salong.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Mae Salong is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Mae Salong, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Mae Salong Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Outside peak season supply tends to exceed demand and prices are usually negotiable.

• Baan See See Mountain View - บ้านซือซือ - 12 bungalows.

• Central Hill Hotel - เซ็นทรัล ฮิลล์ | It doesn't get more central than this. Small, but clean, rooms with good views out into the valley. 19 rooms.

• Khumnaipol Resort - คุ้มนายพล รีสอร์ท | 20 rooms.

• Mae Salong Flower Hills | The newest and nicest of the mid-range places, you'll see the breathtaking sloped flower gardens if arriving from the east. The 1,500 Baht rooms are overpriced as each bungalow partly obscures the view of its neighbour and there is a long walk up 2 flights of steps to get there. Another downside is the location, a fair hike away from town.

• Mae Salong Resort - แม่สลอง รีสอร์ท | Easily the most historic of Mae Salong's hotels, this place used to be a KMT military training camp and some of the army green and brown bungalows look the part. However and these days it's a little under-used and the older buildings are pretty grotty. Ask if they can give you a deal on the newer, nicer ones. There's a small but mildly interesting photo exhibit on the KMT and nice views down towards town. At Sakura and the in-house restaurant, try the Yunnanese food, especially the mushroom dishes, made with mushrooms grown on premises.

• Mae Salong Villa - แม่สลอง วิลล่า | A tarted-up concrete block with a good Yunnanese restaurant with a terrace plus its own tea shop. 60 rooms.

Stay Safe

Any opium warlord action has long since moved across the border to Myanmar. Still, this is a border area, so don't go trekking too close to the boundary and keep your papers with you as there are plenty of police checkpoints around.

Travel Next

• Doi Tung — royal development projects just to the north of Mae Salong
• Mae Sai — gateway to Myanmar
• [[Thaton (Thailand)|Thaton]] — rafting on the Kok River

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