Thailand

Hills, terraced rice fields, lush vegetation…Overview of Mae Chaem, a charming village 150 km from Chiang Mai.

Mae Chaem, a tranquil village in northern Thailand

With its lush forests, the sound of waterfalls, and the endlessness of its mountainous rice fields, agritourism is thriving in the city of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. When planning a bespoke trip to the Rose of the North, consider making a detour to Mae Chaem. This rural and wild territory is home to the highest peak in the Land of Smiles. Rice and corn fields dot the hills, interspersed with small natural parks. In addition to the joys of hiking, there is also community-based tourism. After taking photos of the beautiful rice fields of Ban Pong Piong, you will meet the Lisu and Hmong ethnic groups, who have found refuge in these heights. Far from the glitz of Chiang Mai, Mae Chaem has retained its authenticity and cultural symbols. The hospitality of the locals will warm your heart!

Notes from the past

The founding of the city dates back to 1908, when the governor of Chiang Mai decided to create an independent district from three municipalities under the authority of Chom Thong.

In the past, the overwhelming majority of inhabitants were engaged in corn cultivation. This resulted in a qualitative impoverishment of the soil and air pollution in Chiang Mai when corn waste was burned openly in the spring. Faced with this problem, agricultural authorities encouraged tree planting to reduce the effects of erosion and turned corn into a green energy source for electricity production.

The benefits are clear: watersheds have been restored, hundreds of families have gained access to electricity, and the reforestation of the hills has led to a resurgence in tourism.

Modern town

Mae Chaem is administratively under the jurisdiction of Chiang Mai province. Nestled at the foot of Doi Inthanon mountain, the district capitalizes on its natural environment to attract winter visitors. A trip to Mae Chaem on the way back from Chiang Mai is usually followed by an itinerary through neighboring rural towns such as Mae Sariang or Chom Thong. The last census in 2013 reported 53,000 inhabitants spread across 7 sub-districts and 104 villages.

Things to see and do in Mae Chaem

The mountainous terrain invites trekking through the forest, followed by a picnic by rivers and waterfalls. Besides its natural beauty, Mae Chaem town boasts a quality religious and artisanal heritage. We recommend staying for two days and one night to explore Mae Chaem fully.

Explore the temples

The Mae Chaem valley is dotted with charming small temples, worth a stop for both the setting and the architecture:

Wat Yang Luang

Just a few meters from Wat Pa Daet, Wat Yang Luang is the most well-known place of worship in Mae Chaem. Among the ordination hall, viharn, and stupa, the ordination hall may be the most interesting. Although smaller, it has faithfully preserved the original Lanna style, while the viharn has a more modern accent. Still, go there to see beautiful murals and a wooden Buddha enthroned above the altar.

Wat Phrao Num

The gleaming teak wood adorning the facade gives this temple all its charm. Inside, you will discover an image of Buddha, whose veneration is widespread throughout the town.

Wat Pa Daet

A delightful surprise awaits you in this 19th-century temple, located on the banks of the Ping River. Its ubosot with golden gables and artistically crafted windows oscillates between late Lanna art and central Thailand art. The walls recount the stories of the Jataka prince inspired by Buddhist literature. South of the monastery, admire the lovely white stupa standing out against the green of the rice fields.

Go on a nature hike

Ban Pong Piang

The village is known for its terraced rice fields, which require a walk. While spring rains are welcome, they also bring erosion and soil degradation problems. Terracing has curbed water runoff. An ingenious agricultural technique that adds to the charm of the landscapes.

Mae Pan Waterfall

Picnickers never tire of admiring this gigantic milky torrent falling over a hundred meters. It is the largest waterfall in the province.

Huay Sei Lueng Waterfall

Located a stone's throw from the previous one, this waterfall cascades in two stages.

Meet the hill tribes

The Hmong and Lisu have settled in the high hills of Mae Chaem. Visiting traditional huts, discovering the process of making joks, and admiring skilled weavers at work are the leisure activities that await you on this cultural tour. The lifestyle of tribal communities conveys a message of humility. They are poor, they often struggle to make ends meet, but they jealously preserve their traditions.

Know before you go

When to go?

The influence of altitude explains the coolness of the region. To not miss out on beautiful views of the rice fields, local tourists go from July to September, despite the fury of the rains. Foreigners, on the other hand, gather from November to February.

How to get there?

It's easy to get to Mae Chaem by bus, taxi, or car. The simplest way is to rent a personal vehicle. Buses are not always air-conditioned.

In the vicinity…

Once the tour of Mae Chaem is done, continue the journey with a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park or white-water rafting on the Mae Tang river.