Wawee Highland Agricultural Experiment Station

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:00

 

Wawee Highland Agricultural Experiment Station, now known as Chiang Rai Academic Service Center for Plants and Agricultural Inputs 2, is one of Chiang Rai’s most refreshing highland agro-tourism destinations. Located on the summit area of Doi Wawee at an elevation of around 1,200–1,500 meters above sea level, the station enjoys cool weather throughout the year. This pleasant climate makes it ideal for winter flowers, fragrant plants, temperate fruits, and scenic gardens, turning the site into both a practical agricultural center and a relaxing mountain attraction.

 

The charm of this place lies in the fact that it is not simply a tourist flower garden. It is a real highland agricultural station where visitors can see how research, plant cultivation, and tourism come together. The surrounding area is lush and peaceful, with a landscape filled with cool-climate ornamental plants such as protea, banksia, and seasonal blossoms that create a soft and colorful atmosphere across the station grounds.

 

One of the most memorable aspects of the station is its fragrant plant collections. Certain flowers release their scent strongly in the evening, adding another sensory layer to the visit. Beyond visual beauty, the site offers an experience of mountain air, floral fragrance, and quiet natural surroundings that is difficult to find in typical urban attractions.

 

The station is also known for its temperate fruit plots, where visitors can see pears, persimmons, peaches, plums, and Chinese chestnuts grown on sloping mountain terrain. These orchards are especially attractive during the cool season, when blossoms or fruits begin to appear and the agricultural landscape becomes even more visually appealing.

 

Another strong highlight is the winter flower and ornamental plant garden. This section includes a landscaped garden with a small stream, resting pavilions, and a variety of flowers such as salvias, poppies, bougainvillea, petunias, begonias, angel’s trumpets, and azaleas. The design makes it enjoyable both for sightseeing and photography, while the nearby nursery areas allow visitors to observe plant propagation more closely.

 

The amaryllis collection is another distinctive point. Amaryllis is one of the station’s best-known cool-climate flowers, and the colorful red and pink blossoms become especially attractive during the cool season. In addition, the Buddhist park within the station grounds adds a quieter and more spiritual atmosphere, surrounded by natural forest and small wildlife.

 

Doi Wawee itself is widely recognized as one of Chiang Rai’s tea-producing areas. The station complements this regional identity with the presence of fresh Arabica coffee and fragrant Chinese tea, giving travelers a fuller sense of what the Wawee highlands are about. Visiting here is therefore not only about flower viewing, but also about experiencing a wider agricultural landscape shaped by cool weather and mountain culture.

 

The surrounding area also includes hill tribe and Yunnan Chinese communities, adding cultural depth to the visit. Travelers with enough time can easily expand the trip into a 2–3 day mountain journey that combines gardens, orchards, tea landscapes, local communities, and scenic viewpoints.

 

Getting There There are two main routes from Chiang Rai city. One route goes via Highway 1211 through Den Ha and Huai San, then continues toward Mae Mon and the station. Another route uses Highway 1 toward Mae Suai, then connects to the Wawee mountain road. Private car travel is the most convenient option, although local transport is available in some sections.

 

Wawee Highland Agricultural Experiment Station is therefore an ideal destination for travelers looking for flowers, mountain air, agricultural learning, and a slower Chiang Rai experience. It combines scenic beauty with real substance, making it suitable for families, photographers, study groups, and anyone who wants to explore another side of Chiang Rai beyond mainstream city attractions.

 

 

A: It opens daily from 08:30 to 17:00.

 

A: The main highlights are the fragrant plant garden, winter flower plots, temperate fruit orchards, amaryllis collection, Buddhist park, and the cool mountain atmosphere of Doi Wawee.

 

A: The cool season is the most attractive period, when winter flowers bloom beautifully and the weather is especially refreshing.

 

A: Yes. The station provides accommodation and camping areas, and there are also nearby resorts in the Wawee area.

 

A: Private car travel is the easiest option. There are two main road routes from Chiang Rai city, both leading up to the Wawee highlands.

 

A: You can continue to tea plantations, viewpoints on Doi Chang, Akha Farmville, and nearby nature areas around the Wawee and Doi Chang region.