Three reasons you should go to Chiang Rai this winter.

Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand that is nestled by a landscape of high mountains. The weather is cool all year long, especially during winter. There are also many interesting tourist attractions such as Doi Chang and Doi Pha Hi which are famous for coffee cultivation; Doi Mae Salong, known for its high-quality oolong tea; Phu Chi Fa and its mesmerizing sea of fog; and Doi Tung, the location of Phra That Doi Tung, the Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden.

Mae Fah Luang Garden with a new landscape. (Photo: Anya C.)

In addition to the beauty of its nature, Chiang Rai has a plethora of interesting activities for tourists during January and February, such as the Colors of Doi Tung festival and the Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023.

The New Look Mae Fah Luang Garden

Mae Fah Luang Garden is a winter flower garden. It is part of the Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP) which was built under the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra. This project caters to Thais who do not have the opportunity to travel abroad and see winter flowering plants.

The year 2024 will mark the first time in 30 years that the Mae Fah Luang Garden has undergone a complete makeover by redesigning its landscape, thus making it even more exciting and stunning than before. The land area of Mae Fah Luang Garden covering over 30 rais (approximately 11.8 acres) will be transformed into more than 100,000 flowers planted by the hill tribes themselves. As the flowers reach maturity in full bloom, it is guaranteed that the flowers and smiles within the Mae Fah Luang Garden will shine color and beauty on Doi Tung. On a scale of 10, the Mae Fah Luang scores a perfect 10 points.

Colorful flower garden in Mae Fah Luang Garden. (Photo: Anya C.)

An invitation to the colorful festival of Doi Tung

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout January, the Mae Fah Luang Garden has organized the 10th Colors of Doi Tung festival under the theme “Palette of Flowers” whereby the entire area will be painted with beautiful fresh flowers to welcome tourists to join in the fun with the new snap and share experience.

This photo-op activity will allow many excellent Instagram and Facebook moments. You can chill with fun activities such as tribal performances, handicraft workshops and many more. Savor delicious hard-to-find menus cooked on site by families of the six hill tribes. To discover the delicious local cuisine, you have to try it first. And when you are done eating, do not forget to shop for handicraft products from Doi Tung. This event is also a green initiative because every single aspect of it is environmentally friendly.

Doi Tung lifestyle products. (Photo: Anya C.)

A strawberry milk ice cream inspired by the hill tribe costume. (Photo: Anya C.)

Next stop is the Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023

Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 is an international contemporary art exhibition in the form of a biennial, which is held between 9 December 2023 to 30 April 2024. Its underlying concept of The Open World theme is inspired by the “open-world” posture of an ancient Buddha statue of Wat Pa Sak temple located in Chiang Saen district. The area will allocate space for various art installations by international artists.

Pictures at an Exhibition, 2023 by Sarah Sze at Chiang Rai International Art Museum (CIAM) (Photo: Anya C.)

Chiang Rai International Art Museum (CIAM) (Photo: Anya C.)

The following 4 tourist destinations are part of the Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai 2023 event:

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park serves as a center for collecting and disseminating knowledge about Lanna arts and culture. It is currently considered as the largest preservation center and collection of Lanna arts in the region.

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Photo: Anya C.)

Chantdance, 2023 by Ernesto Neto at Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. (Photo: Anya C.)

Rai Chern Tawan, literally translated as the Sun Invitation Farm, is an international meditation center founded by the venerable Pramaha Vuttichai Wachiramatee. This meditation center is aimed at becoming the “central hub for propagating Buddhism to the world (International Meditation Center).” Within the center, there is a serene atmosphere shaded by large trees and an art gallery exhibiting many Buddhist artworks.

The 4 Noble Truths, 2023 by Chata Maiwong at Rai Chern Tawan (Photo: Anya C.)

Garden of Silence: Existence, 2023 by Sanitas Pradittasnee at Rai Chern Tawan (Photo: Anya C.)

Buddhist art exhibition at Rai Chern Tawan (Photo: Anya C.)

Baan Singhaklai is an ancient building over a century old once used as housing for missionaries. The building has been renovated and transformed into the Mod Chanapai Foundation. Its ground floor features a coffee shop and restaurant while the upper floor is an art gallery.

Singhaklai House (Photo: Thailand Biennale)

Art exhibitions at Singhaklai House (Photo: Anya C.)

Zomia in the Cloud by Production Zomia at Singhaklai House. (Photo: Anya C.)

The old Chiang Rai City Hall built in 1897 used to serve as the office for several government agencies and the governor of Chiang Rai. It is currently renovated and will be used as a Chiang Rai photo museum by the Chiang Rai provincial administrative organization.