On the heights of Mae Salong (officially Santikhiri), a small village in northern Thailand near the Burmese border and in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the 101 Tea Plantation, also called Wang Put Tan, spreads across rolling hillsides covered in tea plants. Founded by the Tsai family, originally from Taiwan, it produces mainly green tea and oolong, and symbolizes the agricultural transformation of a region once tied to poppy cultivation.

Why visit the plantation

A visit to 101 Tea Plantation combines several interests in one location:

• A terraced agricultural landscape characteristic of northern Thai mountains.

• A compelling history, linked to the program that replaced poppy cultivation with tea.

• Recognized production, notably for number 12 oolong tea.

• An on-site shop and the opportunity to taste several varieties.

The experience remains accessible: the plantation can be explored in one to two hours, tasting included, and fits easily into an itinerary in the Chiang Rai region.

A history tied to poppy replacement

The Tsai family has cultivated tea for several generations in Taiwan. Their settlement in Mae Salong is part of a joint initiative between the Thai government and tea producers to offer an economic alternative to opium cultivation, long practiced in the mountain villages of the Golden Triangle. This broader substitution program, beyond the Tsai plantation alone, has contributed to a lasting transformation of the local economy by directing farmers toward legal crops: tea, coffee and temperate fruits.

International recognition

The plantation gained visibility in the early 2000s. In 2002, it was featured at the China Pu Er Tea International, an event dedicated to Asian teas. In 2004, its number 12 oolong won first place at Thailand's inaugural tea festival. That same year, the plantation participated in the Take Me 2 Tea exhibition in Las Vegas, helping to introduce northern Thai teas beyond Asia.

What to see and do on site

The visit is organized around three main activities:

• Tea plant terraces: the rows follow the curves of the hillsides and offer views of the surrounding mountains. The plantation grounds are accessible on foot.

• The shop: here you'll find the various varieties produced on-site (green tea, oolong, black tea), loose or packaged, at prices generally lower than in Bangkok.

• Tasting: offered free or for a nominal fee, it allows you to compare different teas and understand the differences between lightly oxidized oolong and more heavily roasted oolong.

Allow one to two hours to enjoy the full experience, longer if you extend your visit with a walk on the surrounding trails.

When to visit

The plantation can be visited year-round, but the experience varies by season:

• November to February: cool and dry season, ideal for hiking on the hills. Temperatures in Mae Salong (1,200 m altitude) can drop below 10°C at night.

• March to May: hot season, but spring harvests produce highly sought-after teas.

• June to October: rainy season, the terraces are intensely green, but showers can hinder your visit.

Oolong tea harvest periods concentrate in spring and autumn.

Practical information

• Visit duration: 1 to 2 hours.

• Admission: generally free, tasting and shop available on-site.

• Hours: open during daytime, morning to late afternoon (check locally).

• What to bring: walking shoes, warm clothing in cool season, cash for purchases.

How to get there

Mae Salong is located approximately 80 km northwest of Chiang Rai, and nearly 200 km from Chiang Mai. Several options are available:

• From Chiang Rai: daily minibuses to Mae Salong via Mae Chan, approximately 2.5 hours travel time. Possibility to rent a songthaew on-site.

• From Chiang Mai: plan for a full day of travel, passing through Chiang Rai.

• Private vehicle: the most practical solution for combining the plantation with other Mae Salong sites in the same day.

Once in Mae Salong, the 101 Tea Plantation is accessible within minutes from the village center.

Things to combine nearby

Several Mae Salong sites lend themselves to a visit complementary to the plantation:

• The Doi Mae Salong mountain, for views over the surrounding valleys.

• The tomb of General Tuan, which recalls the history of Kuomintang soldiers settled here after 1949.

• The Martyrs Memorial Museum, dedicated to the same period.

• The Mae Sai waterfall, further north toward the Burmese border.

To prepare a complete itinerary in the region, consult our Mae Salong guide.

Organizing your trip

Mae Salong's tea plantation naturally integrates into a circuit through northern Thailand, between Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle and mountain villages. To build a tailor-made itinerary including this stop, explore our Thailand tours.