Attraction Details :
Phra Tamnak Doi Tung (Doi Tung Royal Villa)Doi Tung hill (or Doi Tung Royal Villa) doesn’t enshrine only Phra Thad Doi Tung (the Buddha’s relics), but also holds an intrigue tourist attraction “Phra Tamnak Doi Tung” (Doi Tung Royal Villa) or “Phra Tamnak Somdej Ya”(Royal Villa of the Princess mother). The architecture is in Lanna style, emphasizing on simplicity. The villa is surrounded by a variety of flora, giving a pleasing shady atmosphere to the environment.
Doi Tung Royal Villa was built during the time Doi Tung Development Project was established, under the royal remark of H.R.H Princess Srinakarindra with her own fund. In December 1987, she moved to work here. This villa can therefore be counted as the first “home” of the Princess Mother.
Doi Tung Royal Villa was built on the hill, giving a terrific sight of the vast landscape. It features a combination of Lanna architecture (a northern Thai slab wood house with Kalae Top) and the Swiss-style Chalet. It was decorated with delicate woodcarvings in Mek Lai pattern, reflecting simplicity but also full utility. The villa has two floors, with a mezzanine. The highlight is the ceiling of the main hall, which portrays tiny lights representing the position of the constellations on the day the Princess Mother was born. Moreover, the simple-but-peaceful bedroom, and office of H.R.H. can be visited by tourists as well. However, photography isn’t allowed. The villa is embellished with a surrounded beautiful flower garden. There are also guides available to take travellers on a tour around Doi Tung Royal Villa area. It is open in rounds, each round takes 20 minutes. The villa is open everyday from 7 a.m.-5.30 p.m. The admission fee for general visitor is 90 Baht, for elders and students: 45 Baht (please present ID card as evidence). As for the admission ticket fee for entering 3 attractions: Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Laung Garden, and the Hall of Inspiration, it costs 190 Baht for general visitors, and 90 Baht for elders and students.
Doi Tung Royal Villa is located in Amphoe Mae Fah Luang. Travellers can start from Chiang Rai city, by taking Highway no.1 (Chiangrai-Mae Saai Route). It takes around 45 kilometers before reaching 870-871 kilometer stone. You can see a turn-left sign, which indicates 17 kilometers to Doi Tung Royal Villa. If wanting to try two-row seated bus up to Doi Tung, please contact Doi Tung Travel Company Tel. 0 5366 7422, Doi Tung Lodge Tel. 0 5376 7067. It is the purple mini bus at the trailhead, available from 7 a.m. The bus leaves every 20 minutes.
For more information, please contact Doi Tung Development Project, Tambon Mae Fah Luang, Amphoe Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai Tel./ Fax. 0-5376-7015-7, 0-5376-7003. Homepage/ Website: http://www.doitung.org
