Tag Archives: Royal

Doi Ang Khang – Royal Project

Gallery February 11, 2015 Szymon Zieliński Leave a comment

I recommend to spend the second day at Doi Ang Khang on visiting the Royal Project – actually Royal Agricultural Station. The Royal Project is really interesting! Since the temperatures are much lower than in the rest of the country (please remember that the temperature can drop below zero in December and January), at the Project you can find fruits that are non-existent in other parts of the country – like strawberries (the tastiest in all of Thailand!), kiwi, pears or peaches. There is also a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, even tea and coffee. The entrance fee is 50 baht per person (about 1 euro). There are many interesting and beautiful gardens on the grounds of Royal Project – shaded moist garden, flower gardens – Garden 80 (named to celebrate 80. birthday or HM the King of Thailand), English roses garden, rhododendrons, scented garden, bonsai tree garden, natural rock garden… There is a lot of things to admire indeed. The variety of gardens guarantees great views at any time of the year. Let’s not forget to mention rare birds (including endangered and endemic species – together over 1,000 species) that attract both ornithologists and photographers alike.

It is possible to rent a room inside the Project (but don’t forget to book ahead in the high season – usually months ahead!), you can take a peek at the house for Royal Family (rather modest and seems unused for years), finally you can try out local specialities in a very nice and cheap restaurant. Plus there are some nature trails, hill tribe villages, mule riding (not common to see those animals around!). If you still have time after visiting the Project, I recommend to continue forward to Nor Lae village, located at the border with Myanmar (Burma) – I will cover it in the next post.

One last thing to keep in mind (same as with the other Doi Ang Khang posts) – the photos in the gallery come from all three different trips to Doi Ang Khang. Some of them were taken with my previous camera (non-SLR).

Surroundings of Doi Ang Khang (A – army base and camp ground, B – Royal Agricultural Station, C – Nor Lae village at the border with Burma/Myanmar)

Doi Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station, Chiang Mai province, Thailand

The mixed culture village next to Doi Ang Khang Royal Project. Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Wioska obok Projektu Królewskiego Doi Ang Khang. Prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Entrance to Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Wejście do Projektu Królewskiego Doi Ang Khang. Prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Shaded moist garden at Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Zacieniony ogród z wilgotną roślinnością. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Colourful flowers at Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Kolorowe kwiaty na terenie Projektu Królewskiego Doi Ang Khang. Prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Jumping photos are always nice! Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Skaczące zdjęcia są zawsze mile widziane! Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Indoor plantations. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Plantacje pod dachem. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Bonsai garden. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ogród z drzewkami bonsai. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Natural rock garden. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Naturalny ogród skalny. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view from the natural rock garden. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok z naturalnego ogrodu skalnego. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Natural rock garden. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Naturalny ogród skalny. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Garden 80 – beautiful and colourful. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ogród 80 – piękny i kolorowy. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Blooming sakura (cherry blossoms). Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.Garden 80 – beautiful and colourful. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Kwitnąca sakura (wiśnia). Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

On the way to the Royal Garden. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Po drodze do Królewskiego Ogrodu. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Royal Garden – here usually members of the Thai Royal Family relax after work. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Królewski Ogród – to tutaj zwykle członkowie tajskiej rodziny królewskiej odpoczywają po pracy. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

One of the nature trails. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Jeden ze szlaków krajobrazowych. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Fruit plantations. Doi Ang Khang Royal Project, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Plantacje owoców. Projekt Królewski Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Chiang Mai province, Gallery, Thailand

Doi Ang Khang – The Views

Gallery February 6, 2015 Szymon Zieliński Leave a comment

Today I will write about my favourite place in Thailand (so far) – Doi Ang Khang. I personally love mountains, and Doi Ang Khang is the coldest place in Thailand. It is not the highest mountain in the country (1928 MSL) but it’s here where they observed negative temperatures (-2, -3 degrees Celsius). Doi Ang Khang is located in Chiang Mai province, about 3 hours drive from both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai city (so one can start the trip from either city). It is possible to get there using public transport (it is time-consuming and inconvenient) but it is much better to hire your own wheels. It is not too popular, especially among foreigners – it seems that only local tourists (mostly from the northern parts of the country) come here. Another important factor is the fact that the road to Doi Ang Khang is the most dangerous in all of Thailand. Only the last 10 km to the summit are so dangerous (especially the very last 2 km – road is extremely steep). Buses can not go there – the road is so windy (180 degrees serpentines!) that regular buses haven’t got enough space to make the turn. Even passenger cars get tired on the way (it is not uncommon to smell hot engine oil on the way) – it is much better to use 4WD. I have come here three times – twice on my faithful motorbike (125cc) and once with a car. Making this trip on a motorbike is truly unforgettable – and I prefer this kind of transport.

Upon arrival, there are at least two camping grounds – one is located at the small army base, and this is the one that I recommend. The reason for that is quite simple: soldiers have the best view at Doi Ang Khang (renting a tent starts at 400 baht for 2-people tent, about 9 euro). Those more picky can stay at resorts and hotels at the village next to Royal Agricultural Station – but in the season (December until February) it may be very hard to get a room without prior reservation.

First day I recommend to spend enjoying the view and climate around the summit as well as visiting the village. The village is quite interesting – the locals who live there come from various hill tribes and countries (Chinese, Burmese, Thais) and therefore it offers diversified cuisine.

In the evening I climbed up to the top of Doi Ang Khang to capture the sunset. At dawn, again I went all the way there (not very far from camping ground though) to see the sunrise. Afterwards, I continued towards Royal Agricultural Station. But I will cover it in the next post.

One last thing to keep in mind – the photos in the gallery come from all three different trips to Doi Ang Khang. Some of them were taken with my previous camera (non-SLR) and on top of things, I used to have long hair. Well then, enjoy the photos!

Surroundings of Doi Ang Khang (A – army base and camp ground, B – Royal Agricultural Station, C – Nor Lae village at the border with Burma/Myanmar)

Hay “huts” on the way to Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
“Domki” ze słomy, po drodze do Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

One of the available views. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Jeden z widoków po drodze. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The most dangerous road in Thailand – NOT the most dangerous part of it! Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Najbardziej niebezpieczna droga w Tajlandii – NIE najbardziej niebezpieczny jej odcinek! Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Almost there! Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Już prawie na miejscu! Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view from army base – you can see the windy road. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok z bazy wojskowej – można zobaczyć krętą drogę. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Army base and camp ground. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Baza wojskowa i pole namiotowe. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Army base. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Baza wojskowa. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view of army base and camp ground during sunrise. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok na bazę wojskową i pole namiotowe przy wschodzie słońca. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view on the other side – behind those mountains is Myanmar (Burma). Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok na drugą stronę – za tymi górami jest już Myanmar (Birma). Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Around the summit of Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Okolice szczytu Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Sunrise at Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Wschód słońca widziany z Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Me and sunrise at Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ja i wschód słońca widziany z Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view from army base – you can see the windy road. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok z bazy wojskowej – można zobaczyć drogę. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Me and the mountains. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ja i góry. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Dirt road at Doi Ang Khang. Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Utwardzona droga na Doi Ang Khang. Prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view from army base. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok z bazy wojskowej. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Viewpoint at the army base. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Punkt widokowy w bazie wojskowej. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Me with the big km 0 marker. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ja i wielki znacznik km 0. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The view from army base. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Widok z bazy wojskowej. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Camp ground sign. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Oznaczenie pola namiotowego. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Sunset at Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Zachód słońca widziany z Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Around the summit of Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Okolice szczytu Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Sunset at Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Zachód słońca widziany z Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The summit of Doi Ang Khang. Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Szczyt Doi Ang Khang. Prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

The summit of Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Szczyt Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Me at the summit of Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Ja na szczycie Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Beautiful starry sky at Doi Ang Khang – the air is crystal clear. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Piękne gwiaździste niebo nad Doi Ang Khang – powietrze jest nieskazitelnie czyste. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Army base and camp ground. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Baza wojskowa i pole namiotowe. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Surroundings at sunrise. Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.
Okolica podczas wschodu słońca. Doi Ang Khang, prowincja Chiang Mai, Tajlandia.

Szymon Zieliński – My travels, photos and stories

Tag Archives: Royal

Doi Ang Khang – Royal Project

Doi Ang Khang – The Views

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