Baan Tong Luang, a Hill Tribe Experience near Chiang Mai
Recently I have published the 5 hill tribes you can visit in Chiang Mai and mentioned about Baan Tong Luang. An eco-agricultural hill tribes village with different hill tribe groups living together. Traveling just about an hour from Chiang Mai through Mae Rim district, this place offers you a casual hill tribe experience without traveling through those curvy mountain roads on a 4x4 truck.

Baan Tong Luang project started from around 2003 by the owner of Mae Sa Elephant camp. Most of the employees in the camp are indigenous people who needs to leave their family in the mountains to work in this area. Therefore, this village was built to support the employees’ family and encouraging them to do craftwork and agriculture. It has everything from a school for the children, a church and a Temple.
This small village has become the hill tribe learning center under the name of “Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Community” which consist of Hmong, Lahu, Akha, Karen, Palaung, Kayaw, Mien including Long-neck Karen. Have a great time learning their way of life such as rice farming, scarecrow making. This village community openly accepts tourists providing hill tribe experience, purchasing souvenirs to generate income for the community.
Now, is this not a great place to stop by?

If you are wondering how they can accommodate so many tribes in one village, here is why. Each tribes has their designated areas but there are only a few families from individual group. In other words, this village is a housing estate for the hill tribes. Most of them do handcraft souvenirs, and each has their own creative way of entertaining the tourists. As mentioned, this village has so many hill tribes so you will need around 1–1.30 hours to full explore and visit every hill tribes.
For those who dislike touristy destinations and having a second thought on visiting this village for your hill tribe experience. Don’t. This place is full of life even though is a tourist destinations. They have embrace the concept of sustainable tourism enabling the villagers to seamlessly integrate their daily life while having tourists peeking in their homes everyday. If you are seeking authenticity, Baan Tong Luang has it.

What to Expect in this Hill Tribe Village?
Upon reaching the Village, you will need to purchase the entrance fees which is 500 THB. Walking across the trail through the beautiful rice fields, you will see small bamboo houses with ladies sitting on the bamboo bench weaving a new piece of silk. This is where you start your journey to visit 7 hill tribes in an hour, or more.

The people in this village wear their beautiful hill tribe clothing. You are free to take a photograph with them. Asking for permission with smiles is always appreciated. As you stroll your way through the village, there are many small activities to try such as crossbow shooting, or try putting on the long-neck’s rings. Do not forget to stop by the Guitar Grandma home, you can ask her to play a Karen song to further indulge yourself in this hill tribe experience.

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