Each year in January, the mountain peaks surrounding Chiang Mai turn into a sea of pink flowers. The Wild Himalayan Cherry Sakura Blossom will make the hills look like a picturesque winter wonderland. You would expect to find this scenery around Mount Fuji in Japan during the spring, but not in Thailand! Popular places to visit this annual spectacle are Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Kang, Doi Suthep, and Doi Pui. We went to Baan Khun Chang Khian village near the peak of Doi Pui this year and made it into a nice day trip. There are even options to spend the night here at a campsite! Read on to find out all the tips and tricks about visiting the Sakura Blossom in Chiang Mai.

What is Sakura Blossom?

Sakura Blossom or Cherry Blossom is a pink blooming flower that blooms during the chilly winter season in Chiang Mai. The mountains in Northern Thailand are the outskirts of the Himalayas. The climate near these peaks is much colder than in the valleys below, making it a perfect place to grow for the Wild Himalayan Cherry Trees. The Sakura Blossom is only blooming a few weeks per year. The best chance to see most Sakura trees in full bloom is mid-January.

Baan Khun Chang Khian

Baan Khun Chang Khian is the best place to see the Sakura Blossom near Chiang Mai. It is a traditional Hmong tribal village near the peak of Doi Pui mountain. The Hmong are a tribe originating from Southern China and now live in the hills of Northern Thailand, Myanmar, China, and Laos. The Baan Khun Chang Khian village is famous for the Sakura Blossom, fresh mountain air, hiking trails, and coffee plantations and is only a 30-kilometer drive from Chiang Mai city, making it a fantastic day trip option. On the way to Baan Khun Chang Khian, you will pass by significant tourist attractions like Doi Suthep Temple, Wat Phalad, and Bhu Ping Palace. You can read more about Doi Suthep and its attractions HERE.

How to get to Baan Khun Chang Khian

There are multiple ways to get to Baan Khun Chang Kian. You can use the local red pick-up trucks, a rental car or motorbike, or if you are a sporty type, you can even follow ancient hiking trails up to the village.

Public transport

You can reach the village by taking a red pick-up truck from the Chiang Mai gate to Doi Suthep Temple. (60 Baht per person)

You have to change to another red pick-up truck at the Temple that will bring you to Bhu Ping Palace. (50 Baht per person)

From Bhu Ping Palace, you can either change to another local truck to bring you to Baan Chang Kian or ask the red truck driver if he wants to continue to the village. Please haggle a price with the driver, depending on how many people are in the car. It should not cost more than 250 Baht.

Rental car or motorbike

The most enjoyable way of visiting Baan Khun Chang Khian is by motorbike or car. It gives you the freedom to stop and enjoy the views and attractions along the road at your own pace. The roads are in excellent condition until the Bhu Ping Palace. After the palace, the road gets narrow and windy, so we recommend driving the last 10 kilometers to the village only if you are an experienced driver. If you do not feel comfortable driving the last bit, you can park the car at the palace and take one of the local trucks for the last 10 kilometers or walk following one of the trails. If you are by motorbike, then you can easily continue riding to the village.

Hiking

It is possible to reach the village on foot by following the hiking trail up to Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. We recommend downloading the MAPS.ME app to your smartphone and follow the hiking trail on the app. You start at the Wat Sri Soda temple right next to the Huay Kaew Waterfall and follow a 9-kilometer path up the mountain to Baan Khun Chang Kian. The hike takes you past waterfalls, viewpoints, and dense forests. Please bring enough water and be aware that this hike is for advanced hikers only. Some parts are very steep. You can take a red pick-up truck back to the city or walk the same path back down if you still have energy.

What is the weather like at Baan Khun Chang Khian?

In January, the daily average temperature on Doi Pui is around 15 degrees Celsius. It will be much colder in the mountains at night, making it the perfect environment for the Himalayan Cherry Blossom trees. We recommend bringing warm clothes because most days it will be much colder than 15 degrees. During the winter months, from November until February, there is not much chance of rain. The winter months are also called the dry season in Chiang Mai, you don't have to bring a rain jacket.

Places to eat and drink near Baan Khun Chang Khian

The chilly climate makes you hungry, luckily the Thai people love to eat, so there is always a snack nearby. There are a couple of restaurants near Doi Suthep Temple and Bhu Ping palace that serve good quality Thai food, and in Baan Khun Chang Khian village, there are multiple local eateries. At the Sakura Blossom Gardens are a couple of stands selling barbequed pork, chicken, sweet potato, and corn. Do not forget to try the locally grown strawberries and tangerines. They are so fresh and sweet!

Just before the Sakura Blossom gardens is a cute coffee shop overlooking the Sakura trees and coffee plantations. A perfect spot for a nice cup of coffee and some great pictures of the surroundings.

Campsite at Doi Pui

Thai people enjoy going camping in the national parks during the cold season. Three kilometers from Baan Khun Chang Khian is a camping ground run by the national park rangers. You can bring your tent and hire a space for 30 Baht per night. You can also rent a tent for 225 Baht. These tents have room for three persons. Mattresses (20 Baht), sleeping bags (30 Baht), and pillows (10 Baht) are also for rent at the campsite.

Make sure to bring enough food for the night, because the nearest restaurant is three kilometers away in Baan Khun Chang Khian village. There is a coffee shop at the camp selling snacks and drinks. (No Alcohol)

The on-site bathrooms are in excellent condition but have only cold-water showers.

Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail

The Doi Pui Peak Nature Trail is a three-kilometer trail to the peak of Doi Pui. The trail starts next to the campsite and will follow the mountain ridge to Baan Khun Chang Khian. Some parts of the hike are steep, but you should be fine if you have an OK condition. The reward is a jaw-dropping view of Chiang Mai and the surrounding peaks. From the end of the trail, you can hike back to the campsite following the main road or take one of the local trucks at Baan Khun Chang Khian back to the camp for 30 Baht per person.

Pro tips

Try to avoid weekends and holidays. It will be too busy with local tourists.
Bring a warm sweater. Temperatures are between 10 - 18 degrees Celsius during the day and can be much lower at night.
Sakura Blossom blooms from half January until the end of January.
Go early and make it a day trip. Doi Suthep Temple, Wat Phalad, and Bhu Ping Palace are on the same road.
If you decide to drive by yourself, then make sure to carry an international driving permit and always wear a helmet on the motorbike.

If you have any questions or if you want to book a private tour to visit the Sakura Blossom, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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