The Doi Tung Royal Villa in Mae Fah Luang near Chiang Rai is a stunning hilltop gem that offers visitors a glimpse into the royal family's luxurious lifestyle. Surrounded by lush gardens and breathtaking views, this elegant villa was once the private residence of the late Princess Mother.

What makes the place extra special however is if you happen to be in Chiang Rai during winter, between November and January, when Doi Tung Royal Villa hosts a winter festival called ”Winter Wonder Doi” which turns the whole area into a flower dream, complete with food stalls, music and local craftsmanship.

Visiting during the festival feels like stepping into a real-life Ghibli movie due to the fairytale-amount of flowers and spirit statues. 😭 Big Toh (the big animal statue) symbolises good fortune and prosperity. 🥹🙏🏼

I would have had no idea this even existed if it hadn’t been for a local recommending it as the ”number one thing that we HAVE to see in Chiang Rai”! Doi Tung in general is well-known with locals but not anyone else, so we were the only non-locals around, and the atmosphere was so lovely there!

INFO FOR WINTER WONDER DOI (year 2024-2025 shared as reference, double-check information the year you visit):
When: 4 Nov 2024 - 26 Jan 2025
Price: 90 thb entry for each place (there is the royal villa, the flower garden and a couple other places you can visit. It's 90 thb for each. We only visited the garden though.)
How to get there: rental scooter 🛵 or a driver (there might be public transport from Chiang Rai as well but I can’t say). Takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to get there, but it's worth it.

Take your time to walk around the food stalls after visiting the flower garden too. It's affordable and there's lots of unique and delicious food! We got to taste fresh cacao fruit and juice made from the cacao flower as well as locally made chocolate. They were all delicious and such a wonderful experience!

Please be respectful of the place and other visitors and don’t litter, make too much noise or pick any flowers. 🙏🏼💛

Make sure to visit Choui Fong Tea (tea plantations) too on the way back! And while you're in Chiang Rai, go and visit the local tofu man that shared this place with us! He sells delicious vegan tofu-and bean snacks together with his wife.
Search for ”Sirikorn Fruit and Vegetable Market” on Google maps and it will be on the left of that marker on that road! 🥰

Doi Tung Royal Villa is well worth the visit even outside of the festival time as the flowers should still be there! It might not be as lively though.