MAE SALONG, A VILLAGE IN THE CLOUDS

Enjoy this wonderful HALF DAY TOUR from CHIANG RAI to DOI MAE SALONG in Northern THAILAND. Clung on DOI MAE SALONG, this small village stretches itself along the crest of the mountain… It offers panoramic views all around, for its position dominates the region. It is the perfect spot for those willing to walk in nature, far from hassle and mass tourism. History of Mae Salong is linked to opium and Kuomintang... When Mao Tse Tung conquered China in 1949, Chang Kai-Shek flew to Taiwan with men and goods. But about 12.000 nationalist soldiers stuck in Southern of Yunnan Province had no other way out than crossing Burmese border over and hiding in Shan State jungle. In the early sixties, American army and CIA backed them with logistic, arms, planes, in several attempts to retake Yunnan from Mao’s army. After all attempts failed, both Americans and Taiwanese moved these soldiers back to Taiwan. But General Tuan Shi-Wen refused to give up his obstinate war against communism and moved with his troop from Burma to Mae Salong. Without financial resources from Taiwan, Tuan and his men started producing opium on a large scale. These ex KMT soldiers turned into CIF (Chinese Irregular Forces) and under commandment of Tuan, Mae Salong became one of the biggest opium producing spot on earth. Later in the 1980s, under the impulsion of King Bhummibol, the region started getting roads, and infrastructure… The royal projects were launched and tea trees were brought from Taiwan to the region in order to substitute poppy. This excursion will bring you back on the steps of Kuomintang soldiers whose descendants are Mae Salong inhabitants. You will discover during this ½ day, gorgeous landscapes, tea plantations, ethnic minorities and an unknown page of History.