Flower fields and gardens
Around the hilltop
Terraced beds of seasonal flowers planted by local farmers and the resorts, at their best in the cool season.
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Mon Jam
A hilltop of flower fields, strawberry farms and mountain views in Mae Rim, popular for sunrise, camping and cool-season escapes.
Favourite places
Ridge-top viewpoints
Along the top of the hill
Small huts and terraces looking out over layers of mountain ridges — the classic sunrise spot.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Strawberry and vegetable farms
Slopes below the top
Farms growing strawberries and temperate vegetables, many started under the royal project.
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Hilltop
Tents and small bungalows rented out for a night under the stars; it gets very cold in December and January.
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Local food
Mu kratha
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thai barbecue and hot pot in one: meat grills on a domed pan while broth around the edge cooks vegetables — a favourite on cold mountain nights.
Fresh strawberries
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Picked on the hill in the cool season and sold fresh, as juice or as smoothies.
Khao soi
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The signature noodle soup of northern Thailand: egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, usually with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
Where to eat
Hilltop restaurants and stalls
Mon Jam
Simple restaurants and stalls at the top serve grilled meats, hot pots, noodles and warm drinks.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Mae Rim restaurants
On the road back to Chiang Mai
Garden restaurants and roadside eateries along the Mae Rim valley road.
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Where to stay
Mon Jam hilltop
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tents, small resorts and bungalows right on the ridge — basic, cold at night, but with sunrise on your doorstep.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Mae Rim and Mae Sa valley
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Garden resorts in the valley between the hills and the city, convenient for the botanic garden too.
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Culture
Mon Jam is a Hmong farming community. The flower and vegetable fields are people’s livelihoods: stay on the paths, pay where an entry fee is asked for garden plots, and ask before photographing villagers.
History
Mon Jam grew out of a royal project helping Hmong farmers grow flowers and vegetables. The village now welcomes visitors with gardens, small resorts, tents and viewpoints over the ridges.
Tour plans
Mae Rim hills
1 dayStep 1: Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Walk the canopy walkway in the morning.
Step 2: Mae Sa Waterfall
Stop at the waterfall in the same valley.
Step 3: Drive up to Mon Jam
Climb to the hilltop in the afternoon to walk the gardens.
Step 4: Sunset and dinner
Watch the sun set over the ridges with a hot pot dinner, or stay overnight for sunrise.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to February.
How to get there
About 1.5 hours north of Chiang Mai; the last stretch is a steep mountain road.
Getting around
There is no public transport to the top. Go with a car and driver, a tour, or by hired car. Some visitors ride a scooter, but the final climb is very steep — experienced riders only. At the top, everything is within walking distance.
Travel tips
Nights are cold in the cool season. Weekends are busy.