Scooter Rider's Guide to Chiang Rai Tea Plantations

Northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province is famed for its tea plantations set amid rolling green hills, and exploring them by scooter is an unforgettable adventure. Before you start your journey, make sure you have a reliable scooter – we recommend Cat Motors in Chiang Mai for quality rentals and excellent service. The region’s cool highland climate and scenic landscapes make it ideal for both growing tea and for scooter tours.

In fact, many local and visiting riders spend weekends cruising through Chiang Rai’s tea country to soak up the tranquil scenery. From gentle rides in valley plantations to challenging mountain climbs, a two-wheeled tour of Chiang Rai’s tea plantations offers a blend of natural beauty, culture, and a bit of adrenaline for the intrepid traveler. Below is a guide to the area’s standout tea plantations – and why they’re worth the effort to reach on a scooter.

Singha Park (Boon Rawd Farm) – Tea Fields & Easy Riding

Singha Park is the perfect starting point for scooter-riding tea lovers. Located about 12 km southwest of Chiang Rai City, this sprawling former barley farm (owned by the Singha beer family) has been transformed into an eco-tourism park featuring tea plantations, flower gardens, and dedicated scooter-friendly roads. The ride from town to the park is relatively flat and easy, making for a pleasant ~15–20 minute scooter trip each way. At the park’s entrance you’ll spot the iconic giant golden Singha statue, but the real attraction for riders lies inside: miles of paved roads winding through neat rows of tea bushes and scenic lakeside meadows.

Once inside Singha Park, you can park your scooter and rent a bicycle if you want to explore the smaller trails, or simply cruise the well-marked scooter routes that range from short, flat circuits to slightly longer ones with gentle hills. Along the way, you’ll ride past manicured tea fields with workers tending the plants, and you can stop at viewing platforms to snap photos of the neatly terraced rows of Assam tea (the park grows tea used in some of Singha’s products). The park provides maps showing road lengths and difficulty, so it’s very beginner-friendly for new scooter riders. One popular stopping point is the Singha Park Tea House, where you can refresh yourself with a cold iced tea or try a scoop of their unique Oolong tea ice cream, all while overlooking the emerald-green fields.

Riders will appreciate that Singha Park is safe and scooter-friendly – heavy motor traffic is restricted inside, and the roads are mostly smooth. Do note, however, that it can get hot by late morning, especially in the dry season. It’s best to arrive early or ride in late afternoon for cooler temperatures. As one traveler recounted, starting a scooter ride at 11 a.m. under the tropical sun made for a “not so enjoyable” experience due to the heat (though the roads themselves were lovely and shaded in parts). Plan accordingly with sun protection and water. Overall, Singha Park offers a rewarding yet relaxed scooter outing, suitable even for families with children as passengers. You get to cover a lot of ground easily, enjoy views of tea gardens, orchards and even a petting zoo, and wrap up with a farm-fresh meal or tea tasting – all in a half-day trip.

Choui Fong Tea Plantation – Scenic Hillside Estate

For a more ambitious ride, head north to Choui Fong Tea Plantation, one of Chiang Rai’s most famous tea estates. Choui Fong is located in Mae Chan district about 50 km north of Chiang Rai City, perched on a hill that offers a bird’s-eye view of endless tea fields. It is the largest tea producer in the province and renowned for growing high-quality oolong, green and black teas. Getting there by scooter is certainly doable for experienced riders – but be prepared for a challenging ascent at the end. The most direct route follows Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) north out of the city. After roughly 40 km of mostly flat terrain, you’ll turn toward the Mae Fa Luang hills for the final approach. The ride quickly becomes scenic but hilly as you climb towards Choui Fong’s mountaintop fields. This last stretch includes some steep sections that will test your scooter’s power and your riding skills. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours from town by scooter, each way, depending on your pace and traffic conditions.

The effort is richly rewarded upon arrival. Choui Fong’s plantation unfolds as rolling terraces of neatly manicured tea shrubs draping the hillsides in vibrant green. The estate’s modern café and terrace sit at the hill’s summit, offering panoramic views over the geometric rows of tea – a perfect backdrop to enjoy after your challenging ride. Many riders like to park their scooters securely and wander a bit on foot into the tea lanes here, to stretch their legs and take photos among the waist-high bushes. You’ll likely see local hill-tribe workers in conical hats deftly picking tea leaves (mornings are when plucking often happens). For a small fee, visitors can sometimes join a picking activity or even partake in an on-site tea-tasting ceremony, sampling the plantation’s fresh brews. Don’t miss trying their famous green-tea cheesecake or matcha green-tea latte at the Choui Fong Tea Café – it’s a rider’s delight to indulge in some carbs and caffeine after the long climb up!

The terraced tea fields of Choui Fong Plantation carpet the hills of Mae Chan district. A modern café atop the hill offers sweeping views of the plantation.

Beyond the café’s terrace, the scenery at Choui Fong is truly breathtaking – “endless hills of greenery” as one description puts it. On clear days you can see distant mountains on the horizon while standing amid the tea rows. The elevation here (around 500–600 meters) provides slightly cooler air, a welcome change after the hot ride uphill. When you’re ready to roll out, be cautious on the descent – the steep road you struggled up can be an exhilarating downhill ride, so check your brakes and take it slow around sharp bends. Many riders like to coast down and then stop at the base of the hill to buy some packets of tea from the plantation’s shop as souvenirs (just remember you’ll have to secure them properly on your scooter for the ride back!). If a 100 km round-trip ride in one day is too much for your scooter or your comfort level, consider hiring a songthaew (local pickup taxi) one way for you and your bike, or breaking the journey with an overnight stop in Mae Chan. However you visit, Choui Fong is a must-see for its combination of spectacular views, award-winning tea, and the sense of accomplishment from reaching it on your own scooter.

Doi Mae Salong & Tea Plantation 101 – High-Mountain Tea Adventure

For experienced riders craving a serious mountain challenge, Doi Mae Salong (Santikhiri) offers an epic ride into Chiang Rai’s historical tea highlands. Doi Mae Salong is a mountaintop town about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai, famous for its Chinese heritage and oolong tea plantations. The town was settled in the 1950s by remnants of the Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang) army, and these Yunnanese settlers planted tea on the surrounding slopes, kick-starting a thriving industry for which the area is now renowned. Today Doi Mae Salong’s tea farms – particularly the well-known Rai Cha 101 (101 Tea Plantation) – produce some of Thailand’s finest oolong teas, and visiting them is like riding into a little piece of southern China set in Thailand.

Getting to Doi Mae Salong by scooter is not for the faint of heart or underpowered machines. The route is long and continuously climbing into the mountains. Most riders will need to take breaks frequently (especially on smaller scooters) or arrange vehicle support partway because from sea-level Chiang Rai you’ll ascend to about 1,200 meters at Mae Salong. The main road (Route 1089 then 1234) snakes up with many switchbacks, and the final ascent is a true test of both your scooter’s power and your riding endurance. However, the journey is stunning: you’ll pass rural villages, rice paddies, and then hillside tea gardens as you gain elevation. Take frequent breaks to cool your engine and enjoy the views – the mountains stretch out in layers of green, and in winter you might even spot cherry blossoms dotting the hillsides.

The tea plantations of Doi Mae Salong thrive on its cool mountain slopes. The 101 Tea Plantation is a popular stop to taste locally grown oolong tea.

At the top, the atmosphere of Santikhiri village (Doi Mae Salong) is markedly different from the lowlands. There’s a quaint small town with tea shops, Chinese signboards, and even a morning market where locally grown teas, dried fruits, and Yunnanese dishes are sold. Just outside town lies the 101 Tea Plantation, which welcomes visitors. After hours of challenging riding, you can park your scooter and relax here with a tea tasting — savoring the aromas of freshly brewed oolong while overlooking the very rows the leaves came from. The plantation often provides a brief tour or explanation of their tea processing, which is a great way to learn about withering, rolling, and roasting techniques. In addition, another esteemed tea farm, Wang Put Tan, is nearby and known for its high-grade teas. Whether you visit 101, Wang Put Tan, or any of the small family-run tea terraces, you’ll find the people warm and proud to share their tea culture.

Riding in Doi Mae Salong is a joy after the hard climb – the ridge roads undulate gently, offering panoramic views of tea-clad hills on all sides. You might choose to stay overnight in Mae Salong (there are guesthouses) and enjoy a sunset and sunrise in the mountains. The next day, you can either ride back down (an exhilarating descent with hairpin turns – ride carefully!) or, for a different route, continue east toward Mae Chan to complete a loop. Keep in mind that weather can be cool up here, even dropping to single digits Celsius in the early morning of winter months, so pack an extra layer for the ride. Doi Mae Salong truly offers the ultimate combination of cultural immersion and riding challenge, taking you through the heart of Chiang Rai’s tea heritage.

Doi Tung – Royal Project Tea Garden (for the Experienced Rider)

Less about large plantations and more about a royal mountain project, Doi Tung still deserves a mention – especially if you’re an experienced rider looking to conquer another peak. Doi Tung is a 1,389 m high mountain in Mae Fa Luang district, roughly 60 km from Chiang Rai City near the Myanmar border. It’s famed for the Doi Tung Development Project initiated by the Thai royal family, which transformed opium fields into sustainable agriculture. The area is best known for its Royal Villa and the Mae Fah Luang Gardens, but tea is indeed part of Doi Tung’s offerings: the project introduced Arabica coffee and some tea cultivation as alternative livelihoods for hill tribes, and visitors can sample these local brews at the small Doi Tung tea garden on the mountain. Don’t expect vast estates like Choui Fong here – rather, a modest plantation and tasting room where you can enjoy a cup of Assam or oolong grown on Doi Tung’s slopes while gazing at the forested vistas.

Riding up Doi Tung is a serious challenge – the paved access road is continuously uphill for about 15–20 km, with sections that are quite steep and will test any scooter’s limits. It’s a similar scale of challenge to Doi Mae Salong, though the road quality is good and there’s usually light traffic on weekdays. Along the way you’ll pass a few Akha and other tribal villages (a cultural highlight if you stop) and some viewpoints overlooking the valleys. Near the top, the air cools and pine trees appear. Many riders aim to reach the Doi Tung Royal Villa area; from there it’s a short additional ride to the tea garden/plantation site. Arriving with your scooter engine steaming and yourself exhausted, you can reward yourself with a pot of Doi Tung tea at the café. Tea tasting at Doi Tung – combined with the stunning gardens – offers a chance to try different regional teas in a serene setting. After catching your breath and touring the gardens, you have the fun option of taking the same road back down (with caution – it’s fast!), or riding a scenic ridge route towards Mae Sai if you’re continuing your adventure.

Because Doi Tung’s attractions open in the morning and draw tourists, it’s wise for riders to start very early on the ascent to avoid both traffic and the midday heat. The climb is mostly exposed, so sunscreen and plenty of water are a must. Fortunately, at the summit you’ll find amenities, including eateries and restrooms, as it’s a well-developed site. In total, a scooter trip to Doi Tung and back to town will easily cover 120 km round-trip with major elevation gain, so this is a route for very experienced riders with powerful scooters or as part of a multi-day tour. But those who tackle it will get to enjoy yet another facet of Chiang Rai’s tea culture – tea with a royal touch – and bragging rights for summiting one of Thailand’s most beautiful peaks on two wheels.

Practical Tips for Scooter Touring Chiang Rai’s Tea Plantations

Best Time to Ride: The cool season (November to February) is ideal for scooter touring in Chiang Rai’s mountains. Temperatures are mild, the skies are clearer, and you may see the tea being harvested (and even cherry blossoms around New Year). Avoid the hottest midday hours if possible; plan rides in early morning or late afternoon for comfort and safety.
Road Conditions: Key roads to places like Singha Park, Choui Fong, Doi Mae Salong, and Doi Tung are paved and in decent condition. However, expect steep gradients and some switchbacks in the hills. Always check your brakes before long descents, and use low gear while climbing to avoid overheating your engine. Traffic is generally light on plantation backroads, but stay alert, especially near villages (watch for wandering animals or local motorbikes).
Scooter Requirements: For mountain routes like Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung, a 125cc scooter is the absolute minimum – 150cc or higher is strongly recommended. Smaller 110cc scooters will struggle on steep climbs and may overheat. Ensure your scooter is well-maintained with good tires and properly adjusted brakes before attempting mountain routes.
Bring Essentials: Carry plenty of water, some high-energy snacks, sunscreen, and a basic toolkit. While plantations like Singha Park and Choui Fong have cafés and shops (where you can refill water or grab a bite), stretches of road between can be remote with no services. A small tail box or under-seat storage can hold your supplies (and any tea purchases – vacuum-sealed packs travel well).
Navigation: Have an offline map or GPS handy. Signage exists (e.g., Choui Fong has signs from the highway), but in rural areas it can be sparse. Knowing your route helps – and don’t hesitate to greet locals; even if there’s a language barrier, names like “Choui Fong” or “Mae Salong” are well-known, and people can point you in the right direction.
Riding Experience & Support: Gauge the difficulty of each destination and match it to your riding skill level. Singha Park is easy for anyone who can handle ~25 km round-trip on flat roads. Choui Fong is moderate (a longer distance and one significant hill). Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung are challenging, high-elevation rides requiring advanced scooter handling skills. If unsure, consider doing those routes with a support vehicle or guide – several tour operators offer scooter tours that include a van and guide, so you can ride the scenic parts and get vehicle support for the most challenging sections. Alternatively, you can take a bus or truck to the base of the mountain and just ride the scenic summit area. There’s no shame in adapting the plan so you can enjoy the journey safely!

Conclusion

Riding a scooter through Chiang Rai’s tea plantations is a unique way to experience northern Thailand’s natural beauty and cultural richness. You can cruise among neatly trimmed tea bushes, chat with local growers, sip freshly brewed tea with a view, and feel the accomplishment of reaching each destination under your own power. Whether you opt for an easy cruise through Singha Park or push yourself up to misty Doi Mae Salong, you’ll find that the journey is as rewarding as the destination – every hill conquered reveals a new breathtaking panorama or an inviting tea house around the bend. With proper preparation, a reliable scooter, and an adventurous spirit, a rider can truly enjoy all the tea highlights of Chiang Rai, creating memories (and photo ops) that will last a lifetime. So gear up, fuel up, and get ready to ride through the tea gardens of Thailand’s far north – a scooter and tea-tasting escapade awaits you in Chiang Rai’s highlands!