Rating: 2.7/5 (9 votes)

Open Days: Daily (recommended to call ahead or make an appointment before visiting)

Opening Hours: Opening times may vary depending on on-site activities and appointments

 

Pa Pae Royal Project – Highland Development Area is a place to slow down in Chiang Mai for travelers who want more than a scenic stop. Its appeal lies not only in mountain views, but in the chance to see how highland communities live with the forest, cool weather, and carefully chosen livelihoods. Through agricultural promotion, market support, and community-based tourism, Pa Pae demonstrates how local people can move forward without leaving their land behind.

 

“Pa Pae” is both the name of a village and Pa Pae Subdistrict in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai. Local history records that the community was established around 1897 by Tai Yai (Shan) settlers who migrated to the area to cultivate native tea, or Assam tea, for making miang. Miang is fermented tea leaves traditionally chewed after meals or offered to guests, a practice deeply rooted in Lanna culture. This heritage shaped Pa Pae long before people from lowland areas gradually moved in, drawn by agricultural opportunities and the cool highland climate.

 

If you have only known miang as a simple local snack, Pa Pae reveals it as part of a broader forest-based economy. Assam tea thrives under shade and integrates naturally with forest ecosystems, making it a crop that supports both livelihoods and conservation. Knowledge from highland development agencies also emphasizes that miang tea is a key economic plant for the area, showing how traditional agriculture and forest stewardship can coexist.

 

A major turning point for Pa Pae came with efforts to establish a Royal Project–style development area to address poverty and marketing challenges faced by local farmers. Official area documents describe the site initially as the “Pa Pae Royal Project Extension Area,” later renamed the “Pa Pae Royal Project Highland Development Area,” with responsibility covering 13 villages in Pa Pae Subdistrict. The project office is located within the subdistrict and now serves as a hub for agricultural support, market linkage, and tourism development adapted to highland conditions.

 

What visitors notice immediately is that Pa Pae is not a one-crop community. Instead, livelihoods are diversified to reduce household risk. Information provided by the project highlights groups such as organic vegetable growers producing for household use and local markets, arabica coffee farmers cultivating coffee under the shade of large trees, small-scale livestock groups, and savings groups that strengthen financial discipline. Tourism here is inseparable from daily work; it is about observing a living system rather than a staged attraction.

 

The simplest way to experience Pa Pae is to walk through areas where local products are sold and listen to stories from community members. Seasonal produce reflects both climate and skill, and it offers a tangible picture of how agricultural promotion and market access actually function. At certain times, local markets have been mentioned as outlets for selling farm products, showing how value chains are brought closer to producers.

 

The atmosphere of Pa Pae is enriched by highland ethnic cultures. When local guides or community hosts are involved, visits become deeper and more respectful, turning tourism into a shared exchange rather than observation from a distance. Visitors are encouraged to ask permission before taking photos, avoid disrupting daily routines, and support the community by purchasing local products or using local guiding services.

 

Pa Pae is also well positioned for nature-based side trips. One of the most popular is Pong Dueat Hot Spring, commonly reached via Highway 1095 (Mae Malai–Pai Road) for about 35 kilometers before turning off and continuing approximately 6.5 kilometers. Travel information generally notes clear routes, opening times, and contact details. In addition, national park offices provide general visitor information for the area.

 

Another favorite destination for mist and views is Mon Angket Viewpoint. Local travel documents describe the route in detail: from Chiang Mai city, drive along Highway 107 for about 37 kilometers to Mae Malai Market, then continue on Highway 1095 for around 30 kilometers before ascending the mountain road for roughly another 15 kilometers. This clarity helps visitors plan time and vehicles, especially during the rainy season when roads can be slippery.

 

Getting There From Chiang Mai city, the commonly used route is via Mae Taeng District. Take Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang) toward Mae Malai junction, then connect to Highway 1095 (Mae Malai–Pai) and continue into Pa Pae Subdistrict according to your destination or appointment point. Calling ahead is strongly recommended, particularly if you wish to visit project activity areas or request local guidance, as conditions and schedules in highland areas change with seasons and fieldwork.

 

In the end, Pa Pae offers more than rest. Travelers who come only to relax will certainly find calm, but those who come to understand will gain insight into how tourism can support community effort, allowing visitor spending to circulate back into local livelihoods in a meaningful way.

 

 

A: It is ideal for travelers interested in highland community life, miang and Assam tea culture, sustainable agriculture, and respectful, slow-paced travel.

 

A: Yes, if you plan to explore local products and nearby attractions like Pong Dueat Hot Spring, but advance appointments are recommended for deeper learning activities.

 

A: Local history records that the community was established by settlers cultivating Assam tea for miang around 1897, making miang both a cultural and economic foundation of the area.

 

A: Travel information commonly notes Highway 1095 for about 35 km, then turn off and continue roughly 6.5 km; checking opening times in advance is recommended.

 

A: You can call 085-705-6569 or 089-954-9628 to confirm appointments, activities, and the latest local information before your visit.