Mae Salong: The Harmony of Yunnan, Thai and Hill Tribe

Mae Salong, also called the land hill of peace, one of unique piece of Thailand village. This village was built by the China Kuo Min Tang which now become the Taiwan, this Mae Salong was initially for the warfare zone. They involve war with the communist, when they flee from Yunnan to Myanmar and then in this Northern Thailand. in 1961

These endless hill with tea plantation in Mae Salong

These ex-KMT army were helping the government eradicated the communist army. So the Thai Kingdom gave them citizenship, in 1980's These ex-KMT soldier became the tea planter. This seems to be successful as tea is abundant in the surrounding fields, every other shop along the main street is a teashop, and there are tea factories in and around town. In both you can sample the fragrant Mae Salong teas

Our journey  came from the south unlike the KTM army. We arrived at Mae Salong in the night. The accommodation we stay were Maesalong Mountain Home. It located deep inside the tea plantation, I am the one who choose it. When we arrive at Maesalong we still drive for pretty long time when we already tired. I feel nervous, when we came into tea plantation and it so dark. When we saw the place, it was great place with the wooden style house.

The room was great, we have spacious room and even balcony. And plus we got it cheap, with around 80 USD per day and this room is for 4 people. Whenever you came, they will served you Maesalong tea. The dishes they served also very nice, especially their Yunnan Chicken. It is so good that I crave it for more.

Trekking around the Village

Based on the unscaled map by the owner of Hotel, I decided to go trekking to the Chedi on the top of the hill. The dog who owned by the house also follow our trek. This very cute brown golden retriver seems like our scout. It sniff around and then follow us. Once we out of the house, there is endless tea plantation everywhere.

We walk with joy, we stopped at the big kirin statue. The kirin is the symbolism that I also encounter in Kinmen island in Taiwan so the parallel history between here and Taiwan was seen very clear. Next we found the flying cup and other unmaintained building. This supposed to be tourism center which still never fulfill the potential.

This huge Kirin statue in front of the tea plantation. These area of complex is built for boost tea tourism but the activity still non existent  

On the way to the chedi, we getting lost. The road is became more rough, up and down with no clear path. The dog walking with hardship, seems that its feet is hurt and we lost in the middle of crossover.  Worry getting more and more lost, we take the dog back and ask the right way. It just an hour walk but we've been a little tired. Our determination was unstoppable we walk through the hill. And the road is getting rough, we have to choose the path along the way. Sometimes we walk not in the right direction and have to go downhill and through the river.

This dog is also happy to get around with us

The excitement decrease along with our drinking supply. We bring only one big bottle, and with the heat of the day coming this trip isn't fun anymore. With positive attitude we finally came to the Akha Village. Akha society lacks a strict system of social class and the houses are traditionally constructed of logs, bamboo, and thatch. They are good builder, the design has been tested for many generations. Anyway our thirst make us through the village very fast. We only concentrate on Seven Eleven to buy drink. The mini mart is like oasis for us, and we drank a lot.

 

Albertus Suwarno is getting lost and thirsty

After refresh by the drink first we ate Yunnanese Noodle, with the gravy nice soup and dumpling, the noodle was tasty. The shopkeeper was Chinese whom I assumed as Yunnanese people before, they played Chinese tv show. Even though I've been in China for a year this feel so authentic. Finished eating, we rent motorcycle and drives to the back of mountain to the Chedi.

Driving by the motor cycle, we were continue the journey with motorcycle. Through the back of mountain we saw around the area. The city usually had their door open with the altar in the middle, old people sit in front on the house. The terraced tea plantation flow down the steep hillsides, and Chinese charms hang from doorways. The tea house along the street welcoming, this bring the oolong scene while the Akha, Lisu and Lahu hill people create distinct ethnic feel.

 

Traditional wodden house

The Chedi is newly built for the King Mother, Srinagarindra. From we have distinct view even to Myanmar, and the city of Mae Salong. This village has capture my heart, the weather, the people, the food is so nice. While walking around chedi, we've sat together and even get a nap. The King Mother photo smile accompany our nap.

 

The Chedi

Our next destination was the Kuo Min Tang Museum. This museum has the hall of remembrance the soldier of KMT. This settlement was built by the KMT, which fought very hard against the Thai Communist and Chinese Communist. It also illustrated how the soldier became a settlement and right now had a teahouse. In the side of the museum there is a little wat, and we saw little Thai Bhikkus sweep along the way. What a lovely harmony.

 

The KMT martyr memorial

Later, we go to little teahouse. This tea house also selling the wine. Intresting, that they sold the blueberry wine. We talked about our journey, our sigh in the trekking, our happiness in the view. With a little snack we ate and wrote the note we saw the Akha people walking around. With peaceful village, we also had peaceful. This peaceful feeling gave us abundance, especially with nice friend around. :)

 

On the teahouse, the Akha people bring their harvest