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Exciting Trip in Chiang Rai: Driving to Doi Chang
Driving to Doi Chang http://www.hotsia.com > Exciting Trip in Chiang Rai > Driving to Doi Chang. Doi Chang is famous for its coffee, which is sold widely throughout Thailand. Many people driving the route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, passing Wiang Pa Pao and a few kilometers past Mae Suai district, see signs directing to Doi Chang and Doi Wawee to turn left. This makes them curious to see how coffee is grown. I was one of those curious, so I drove up Doi Chang during the rainy season in June 2013.
From the junction to Doi Chang, after about 20 kilometers (my estimate), there is a right turn going up Doi Chang for another 10-20 kilometers to reach Doi Chang. If you don't turn here, you can continue straight and take another route up. Driving straight for 10-20 kilometers, then turning right on a narrower village road gives a nice atmosphere to enjoy the farms and gardens of local people. Turning this way for about 9 kilometers leads to the summit of Doi Chang. Mr.Hotsia (http://www.hotsia.com) recommends taking the first right turn as it is more convenient and safer.
Doi Chang is a village of Akha and Lisu hill tribes. It is not very large, with coffee growing as the main occupation. The weather on Doi Chang at night during summer is still comfortably cool. The rainy season offers beautiful views, and in winter, many visitors come, filling accommodations, so tents are needed. There are only about four accommodations on Doi Chang: one government-run and the rest privately operated by hill tribe people. When I stayed at Doi Chang Resort, the owner was kind. Usually, tourists like to visit Doi Chang to watch the sunrise and sunset.
To enjoy the cold weather, you need to rent a car from the resort. I didn't go because the car rental was expensive and I didn't have enough money. So, I just enjoyed the cool air and drove around the hill tribe village. I think it's nice to take a short walk around the village. Regarding food, most accommodations on the top include breakfast. For dinner, when I stayed, I ordered from Doi Chang Kitchen to be delivered to the accommodation, or you can dine at Doi Chang Kitchen itself, which has a beautiful view. If you want to eat like the locals, go to the village.
For me, the highlights that impressed me this time were, first, the route driving through mist going up and down Doi Chang, which was very beautiful, especially during the rainy season. Second, I got to drink authentic Doi Chang coffee brewed by the owner himself right there at Doi Chang. Plus, I enjoyed an Akha-style omelet that I specially ordered for the wife of Mr. Toom, an Akha local, which was delicious with Akha green onions added. mr.hotsia 19 48 23.189 N, 99 33 40.391 E GPS coordinates (POI)
19 48 22.577 N, 99 33 38.951 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 22.421 N, 99 33 38.969 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 22.259 N, 99 33 38.963 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 22.403 N, 99 33 38.999 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 22.451 N, 99 33 39.011 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 22.889 N, 99 33 38.921 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 45 5.652 N, 99 32 43.073 E GPS coordinates (POI)
19 44 37.655 N, 99 32 21.239 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 44 37.199 N, 99 32 21.023 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 42 2.916 N, 99 31 50.381 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 42 2.916 N, 99 31 50.093 E GPS coordinates (POI) 19 48 23.189 N, 99 33 40.391 E 19 48 22.463 N, 99 33 39.077 E 19 48 22.577 N, 99 33 38.951 E 19 48 22.374 N, 99 33 39.222 E 19 48 22.428 N, 99 33 39.071 E 19 48 22.415 N, 99 33 39.053 E
19 48 22.421 N, 99 33 38.969 E 19 48 22.59 N, 99 33 38.777 E 19 48 22.259 N, 99 33 38.963 E 19 48 22.403 N, 99 33 38.999 E 19 48 22.451 N, 99 33 39.011 E 19 48 22.415 N, 99 33 38.843 E 19 48 22.716 N, 99 33 38.819 E 19 48 22.907 N, 99 33 38.831 E 19 48 22.889 N, 99 33 38.921 E 19 45 22.619 N, 99 32 50.483 E 19 45 5.652 N, 99 32 43.073 E 19 44 37.655 N, 99 32 21.239 E 19 44 37.199 N, 99 32 21.023 E
19 42 2.916 N, 99 31 50.381 E 19 42 2.916 N, 99 31 50.093 E
