Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The main road to the summit is via Rte 1249 with lots of looping hairpin turns. There
are about four minority villages situated along the ridgelines of Doi Ang Khang. As you
approach the summit, look for the turnoff to
Ban Luang
, a Yunnanese village just south of
the campground.
Ran Ahlee
(Ban Luang; mains 45B)
(no romanscript sign; look for the sign with
the Muslim crescent) serves Yunnanese-style
kôw soy
and is a good excuse to drive
through town. Most villagers make their living through farming.
Near the summit of Doi Ang Khang is the
Royal Agricultural Station
(admission 50B)
, showcas-
ing fruit orchards, tea plantations, a bonsai garden and other flora. The mountain sits at an
altitude of 1300m and supports the cultivation of many temperate species that are con-
sidered exotic in Thailand. These crops were introduced as substitutes for opium poppies.
The station's restaurant serves Thai standards, using local produce.
There are several places to stay near the station's entrance in the village of
Ban Khum
, a
mix of Myanmarese and hill-tribe people, who make their living off the tourist trade. Mar-
keting itself as an ecoresort,
Angkhang Nature Resort
( 0 5345 0110;
www.mosaic-collection.com
;
r
from 2500B; )
has large bungalows set in a slope behind the main reception building.
They are quite plush and the best feature is the small, wooden outdoor porches with lovely
garden views. In the resort itself, the attractive restaurant features royal project produce,
and the lobby boasts stone fireplaces to complete the winter-lodge atmosphere. A portion
of its staffing is dedicated to hiring from local hill tribes, providing a much needed job
source. The hotel can arrange lots of outdoor activities: mountain biking, trekking and
mule riding (a traditional form of transport on the mountain). It also distributes a thematic
map showing hill-tribe villages, walking trails and birdwatching spots, though geographic
details are a little lean. A more detailed description of birdwatching trails can be found at
Thai Birding
(
www.thaibirding.com
)
.
Other villages include
Ban Khop Dong
, a Lahu settlement, and
Ban Nor Lae
, a Palong settle-
ment; both are involved in farming for the royal project. Residents of Nor Lae crossed the
border into Thailand from Myanmar about 30 years ago and the village is within site of a
border patrol station.
Getting There & Away
Leaving the mountain, you can take the scenic back road of Rte 1178, which winds along
a ridge to the mountain's western slopes. Doi Ang Khang is about 25km from the intersec-
tion of Rte 107 and 1249; from this turnoff it's a further 13km to Fang. If you're travelling
by motorbike you'll need a 250cc machine to make the climb.
