Phu Chi Fah, Chiang Rai Overview

Rightly termed as ‘Thailand’s best hidden secret’, ‘the most beautiful place you would have never heard of’ and ‘the place that offers the best sunrise view in all of Thailand’, Phu Chi Fah is a mountainous area and a national park which is located in the Toeng County of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Just next to the border of Laos, this mountain range offers a breathtaking sunrise.

The surrounding area mostly comprises of large endless fields, with the local village of Chiang Tong located nearby. Make sure that you capture as many photos of this gorgeous place as you possibly can, and in fact, try staying at the site for a night if the itinerary works out for you that way.

Trekking to the Phu Chi Fah

The ideal thing to do would be to reach Phu Chi Fah the night before and stay there in some accommodation, and then wake up early to reach the viewpoint before the sun rises over the horizon in the morning; so that you get a chance to witness the glorious sunrise. Or you could leave from your guesthouse at 03:00 a.m. or so in the morning, to make it to your destination in time.

Last Leg of the Trek

The last leg of your journey to the top of the Phu Chi Fah would be a 15-20 minute trek, which is not a fairly difficult trek, but remember to be careful. You will have to walk on slippery steps that are cut into the mud, and also brave potholes on the way.

Best Time to Visit

November and February is the best time to visit Phu Chi Fah as this is the best time to view the sunrise amid the fog and enjoy the surreal view.

Tips

Even though Thailand is really hot throughout the day, the early morning temperatures at such a high altitude often drop to even less than 10 degree Celsius, especially during winters. Thus, make sure that you dress warmly and carry a jacket along with you.
The trek is going to be quite steep and slippery, so remember to wear good footwear and avoid wearing flip flops.
Apply bug repellent cream generously before you head for the trek since you will encounter a lot of flies on the way up.
Remember to carry a flashlight along, so that you can see clearly and avoid any potholes or obstacles on the way.
Driving all by yourself to the destination is not suggested unless you are an accomplished driver. It would be best to take an experienced driver along, who is familiar with the route.
A lot of people make the mistake of leaving after watching the sunrise, but if time permits, you should definitely stay back to view and explore more of the surroundings.

Interesting Facts About Phu Chi Fah

Although the place is so revered and exotic; strangely, it is not popular among international travellers. Thus, you will only find local Thais here; which is all the more a reason for you to visit this place and experience the beauty and serenity first-hand.
Phu Chi Fah means "the mountain that points to the sky". Since you will witness the silhouette of the gigantic peak against the sun rising in the eastern sky, Phu Chi Fah holds true to the meaning of its name.

How To Reach Phu Chi Fah

The tourist attraction is located on the eastern edge of the province of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai are the closest cities to the place, located 95 kilometres and 300 kilometres away respectively. From Chiang Rai, you can easily rent a car for around 1200 THB a day to reach Phu Chi Fah, and the journey will take you approximately 2.5 hours. Or you could also take the daily bus from here till Phu Chi Fah. From Chiang Mai, you could take a 3-hour bus ride to Chiang Rai, and then proceed as above.