There are places that are truly beautiful and, in a photograph, can make our imagination soar. But when tourism turns them into overexploited attractions, they lose their essence, and when we visit them, something feels off. This can happen with Mae Kampong, considered by many to be the most beautiful village in northern Thailand, near Chiang Mai.
Thailand is, after all, one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations; not just for foreigners, but for Thais themselves.
For this reason, it’s easy for a Westerner not to have heard of Mae Kampong, which is perhaps why it’s an interesting place to visit. However, among Thais, it is one of the most visited spots in the north. And it shows!
If you’re a traveler who doesn’t mind everything being tailored to tourism, and where local life revolves around visitors, then Mae Kampong may be one of the most beautiful spots in northern Thailand.
However, if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences, this definitely isn’t the place for you. Fun fact: most of the houses in Mae Kampong offer homestays with the property owners. And although you’ll hardly see any Westerners, nearly everyone walking the village streets is a Thai tourist.
This Thai village of about a hundred inhabitants was founded in a privileged location in the north, where tea cultivation thrived. Later, they started producing their own coffee, and word of mouth slowly attracted travelers to the area a couple of decades ago.
Recognizing the village’s tourist potential, the locals were smart and sought to preserve the charm of the area by not allowing outside companies to set up shop.
You won’t find 7-Elevens or McDonald’s in Mae Kampong. And while there are mass tourism staples such as souvenir shops, marijuana dispensaries, and restaurants with a view, everything is run by the villagers.
There are no hotels either, which adds to the village’s special charm and has helped it become one of the best examples of ecotourism in the region.
The downside is that, because it depends so heavily on tourism, the experience is marred by traffic from all over and crowds in the numerous cafes and restaurants. It feels artificial when a village of a hundred residents has three times as many seats for eating and drinking coffee.
A visit to Mae Kampong is essentially about seeing what a traditional village in northern Thailand looks like in a touristy way. It’s comparable to the floating markets in Thailand, which no longer operate as they once did and now simulate the life of past centuries for visitors.
This, of course, detracts from the place’s authenticity, but it remains incredibly beautiful.
There’s no doubt about it: the place is stunning, and its surroundings exude beauty. Just stopping for a coffee at one of the natural cafes is worth the experience.
Some even let you climb vine bridges in the middle of the jungle for the price of a drink that usually costs less than a few euros. There’s also a lovely waterfall nearby.
Thai people love to take an hour-long trip just to eat at a beautiful place, and this is a common activity in Mae Kampong. The restaurants overlooking nature are affordable and serve high-quality dishes. Even the street food is delicious, especially the northern Thai sausages.
In our opinion, it’s only worth spending the night in Mae Kampong if you plan to spend a lot of time in northern Thailand and want to enjoy the village’s tranquility for an entire day. Otherwise, it’s perfect for a day trip. And while it can get crowded, it’s a pleasant option for a quick round trip.
Mae Kampong is only worth visiting if you’re already in Chiang Mai, as the village is just an hour away from the northern capital. The most enjoyable way to get there is definitely by motorbike or car.
If you use Mae Kampong’s location on the map, getting there is quite easy. The difficulty is minimal for those used to riding a motorbike in Chiang Mai, although the first stretch is busy with cars, so it’s better to ride along the shoulder.
Halfway through the journey, you’ll come across the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, which are worth visiting for a relaxing break (The location is on the final map). From there, the road becomes narrower and more winding.
If you’re planning a day trip to Mae Kampong from Chiang Mai, you’ll surely enjoy both the journey and the village. While not ideal, public transportation is an option, as several vans depart daily from Chiang Mai’s central market, costing around 150 baht per trip.
