Thailand

Located in the province of Chiang Rai, Santikhiri, better known by its former name Mae Salong, is a peaceful village in northern Thailand. It is situated just a few kilometers from the border with Myanmar and is part of the Mae Fa Luang district. Nestled amidst the northern mountains, not far from the Myanmar border, Santikhiri will give you a sense of being elsewhere with its typical Chinese village charm.

History

The majority of the inhabitants of Santikhiri are of Chinese origin. During the Chinese Civil War, many soldiers from the Kuomintang (KMT) sought asylum in Thailand in the early 1960s. Upon their arrival, the authorities asked them to monitor the region in exchange for asylum, guarding against communist infiltration across the territory's border. The confrontation between the Chinese soldiers and the communists was violent and resulted in casualties on both sides. To reward them for their bravery and services to Thailand, the local authorities granted them Thai citizenship.

Mae Salong also has a history closely linked to the opium trade. The inhabitants collaborated with the infamous drug lord Khun Sa, leader of the Shan United Army. To combat this trafficking, the Thai government encouraged locals to turn to other crops such as tea, coffee, fruit trees, and corn. Thus, the 101 Tea Plantation was born, which has now become a must-visit attraction in the region.

Exploring the Village of Santikhiri

There was a time when Santikhiri was off-limits to foreigners, but that era has passed. Indeed, until the mid-1970s, there was still some political tension in the region. Since 1994, the village has been open to tourism and has even developed to promote this sector. Tourist establishments began to flourish in the village. Today, Santikhiri is even nicknamed "Little Switzerland" due to its elevated geographical location and the setting that somewhat resembles the ambiance of the European country.

After ceasing opium cultivation, the inhabitants of Mae Salong turned to tea, coffee, corn plantations, and more. Today, the oolong tea cultivated in Santikhiri is particularly appreciated for its quality. In fact, the local Ministry of Tourism and Sports has awarded Santikhiri the title of "OTOP (One Tambon, One Product) Tourist Village" thanks to its refined tea. It is worth noting that nearly 80% of the total tea production in Chiang Rai province comes from this small mountain village. The region's soil is particularly conducive to this type of cultivation, with the area producing approximately 200 tons of tea in a year.

Your short stay in Santikhiri will give you the opportunity to encounter several ethnic groups, such as the Akha, Hmong, Yao, and Karen.

Visit the Majestic Wat Phra Borommathat Chedi.

This temple is considered one of the most representative symbols of the village of Santikhiri, aside from its oolong tea plantations. It is located on Doi Mae Salong Mountain, which gave the village its former name. Built in the Lanna style, it was constructed to honor Princess Srinagarindra. The view overlooking the village of Santikhiri and its surroundings is exceptional. To reach the summit, you can either take the stairs or follow the road leading there.

Stroll through Santikhiri's Morning Market.

To purchase local products and, at the same time, discover the exchanges between villagers, visit this market early in the morning. It takes place every day from 6 a.m to 8 a.m. You will mainly find fruits and vegetables there.

Visit the local tourist market.

This market takes place in the afternoon, and, in addition to fruits and vegetables, vendors also sell handmade items, as well as various spices.

Explore the Tea Plantations

One visits Santikhiri to explore its tea plantations in parallel. Be sure not to miss the 101 Tea Plantation, which is one of Thailand's main tea producers. Its tea has been awarded numerous times for its quality. On-site, you can explore the plantations and also enjoy a tasting before indulging in some shopping.

Attend the annual cherry blossom festival in Santikhiri.

This event usually takes place towards the end of December and ends on the second day of the New Year. During this event, the culture of the different mountain tribes is celebrated through parades and folk performances. Thus, tradition and craftsmanship are highlighted.

Climate

The region where Santikhiri is located experiences a tropical savanna climate with dry winters. The average annual temperature is 25.9 °C. The temperature peak is often recorded in April, when local thermometers typically reach 31 °C.

How to get there?

To reach Santikhiri, you can depart from the city of Mae Sai. From there, take public transportation for about 25 baht, and tell the bus driver that you are going to Mae Salong. The bus will drop you off at the Mae Chan market. From there, you still need to take another vehicle to reach Santikhiri. The songthaew will cost you around 60 baht if you opt for this shared taxi. Note that it operates on specific time slots (7:30 am, 9 am, 11 a.m, and 1 p.m).

You also have the option of departing from the city of Chiang Rai. This city is about 80 km from Santikhiri, and you can take a minibus from there.