One of the best trips I ever took while living in Northern Thailand was to Phu Chi Fa mountain, in Chiang Rai. It was an adventure getting there, which is why I always tell people to go here if they have an extra day in the area. And because there is limited information about traveling to Phu Chi Fa on the internet, I wanted to share what I know.
But first, a little information on the beautiful mountain. Phu Chi Fa Forest Park is located in the Thoeng District of the Chiang Rai Province. It’s about a two-hour drive from the city of Chiang Rai. The mountain rises towards Laos, directly on the Thai border, which actually puts the summit about a step from Laos. Pretty cool, huh?
The best time to visit Phu Chi Fa, which means “the mountain pointing to the sky,” is during the winter months from November – January. The sunrise and “sea mist” are said to be the best during this time of the year. The sun literally rises over Laos and all you can see are the tops of the mountains peeking out of the mist. It’s truly stunning…
We awoke around 4 am and grabbed a songtaew to the top of the mountain for about 20 baht per person. From there, we hiked about 1.5 km which seems like nothing but is a bit tough in the dark (bring a flashlight!).
I won’t lie, the mountain gets extremely crowded so arrive early so that you can stake out a good spot to watch the sunrise. And dress warm!! It’s pretty chilly in the mountains! I wore a Patagonia vest, a flannel, a hoodie, sneakers, and leggings.
How To Get To Phu Chi Fa
There are a few options for this! As mentioned above, Phu Chi Fa is about a two-hour drive from downtown Chiang Rai:
1. Take the public bus.
A public bus runs from Chiang Rai to Phu Chi Fa at 1:30 pm. It is unclear if this is daily as there is little information on the internet about it, but you can always check with your accommodations in Chiang Rai. This is probably the cheapest option.
2. Organize a minibus from your accommodation.
There are several tour companies that will take you to Phu Chi Fa for a nice chunk of change. As I get paid in baht at my job in Thailand, I thought it was pretty pricey as prices start around 800 baht roundtrip and going upwards depending on how many people you are. This option is best for those who are only looking to go for the day, and not spend the night camping or in a guest house. Your minibus will generally pick you up around 2:30 in the morning so that you can arrive for sunrise.
3. Rent a motorbike.
We decided that the most cost-effective option for us would be to rent a motorbike for 24 hours. In Chiang Rai, the price is usually around 250 baht. There were six of us, so it made the most sense to split the costs and do this. I won’t lie, the ride can get a bit scary as you’re weaving around mountains and trying to avoid massive potholes. But, the ride is absolutely doable as long as you allow yourself enough daylight hours as there are no lights on the roads in the mountains. The drive is pretty much a straight shot, and as you get closer there are many road signs directing you to Phu Chi Fa. There is an adorable strawberry farm about halfway between the two places that make for a nice place to hop off your bike and stretch your legs.
Where to Stay
1. Go Camping.
There are a number of places to camp near Phu Chi Fa. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent it from some of the camping areas. We felt it was too cold to camp, but there were so many people camping around the area! It seemed like a very awesome option as it was mostly locals and other Thai people. There were BBQs going on, campfires and more!
2. Stay at a guesthouse.
We took our chances and showed up without a reservation anywhere. This was simply based on the fact that we could not find a number for a guesthouse that anyone would answer. We lucked out and ended up finding a three bedroom bungalow for the six of us. It was about 350 baht per person for the night. It included a simple breakfast.
There are many guesthouses, we headed into two of them before we found one with availability. So, don’t be discouraged if the first one you go into says they have no vacancy! (The photo above is from the guesthouse I stayed at and their phone number is listed on there. They were so so nice!).
This post was originally published on January 6, 2016.
Edited on October 7, 2018.
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Wow! This looks like an amazing trip. I went to Chiang Rai years ago but never made it up to Phu Chi Fa. You've definitely put it on my 'to visit' list. Love your photos.
WOW!!! How amazing are your photos! I never made it to Chiang Rai during my time in Thailand and everyone has told me how amazing it is so I am kicking myself! Or I guess I just now have an excuse to go back, and if I do this place will definitely be on my list!
if you get back there, you must do it! It was so beautiful
I'm always looking for an excuse to go back to different places! Phu Chi Fa was stunning so if you ever do make it back here, definitely take some time to head over there!