Mae Aw - Thailand's 'village of love' ranks among the world's most beautiful.

Mae Aw, a village ranked among the world's most beautiful, boasts Chinese architecture and culture and is known as the "Thailand's village of love".

Mae Aw, also known by its popular nickname Ban Rak Thai (Thai Love Village), is located in a valley in Mae Hong Son province, 1 km from the Myanmar border. The village is surrounded by hills, tea plantations, and a reservoir. In early May, the American travel magazine CnTraveller named it one of the 50 most beautiful towns in the world for 2023.

Ban Rak Thai village is nestled among tea hills, with houses built in the Chinese architectural style. Photo: Instagram/Banksjourney — Ban Rak Thai village is nestled among tea hills, with houses built in the Chinese architectural style. Photo: *Instagram/Banksjourney*

Ban Rak is a village of ethnic Chinese Thais, founded by migrants from Yunnan province. Today, the village is still heavily influenced by Chinese architecture and culture. Most residents speak Mandarin, and many signs are in Chinese.

Located in the far westernmost part of the country, the village received few visitors before the pandemic. In recent years, it has gained more attention, but it remains an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds of Bangkok or the hustle and bustle of Pattaya.

Most tourists only visit the village for a day trip, or consider it one of the must-see destinations when visiting Mae Hong Son province, Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. If you just want to relax and do nothing, this quiet village is the place for you.

Along the lake are cafes and restaurants. Since Ban Rak Thai is famous for its tea products, enjoying a cup of tea in one of the local tea houses is a recommended experience by local tour companies. The restaurants also serve Chinese, Yunnanese-style cuisine, and homemade fruit-infused wines. Every February, the village holds a tea festival.

The best time to visit is from November to February. Visitors should bring sweaters and jackets as it gets cold at night but warm during the day.

The easiest way to get to Ban Rak Thai is to book a tour through travel agencies from Mae Hong Son or Chiang Mai, cities more than 250 km away. Alternatively, you can rent a car or motorbike to get there on your own. However, the steep, windy mountain roads can be challenging for inexperienced drivers, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The food in the village is in the style of Yunnan cuisine, China. Photo: — The food in the village is in the style of Yunnan cuisine , China. Photo:

A cheaper alternative is to take a yellow shuttle bus from Mae Hong Son town, about 40 km away, for around 130 baht. There are two trips daily, at 8 am and nearly 12 pm. The nearest airport is Mae Hong Son, with daily flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Travelers from Vietnam can fly directly to Chiang Mai and then to Ban Rak Thai.

Because it's a small village, there aren't many accommodation options. The most popular hotel here is Lee Win Ruk Thai, located amidst tea hills, with room rates starting from over 800,000 VND (prices are based on booking apps like Agoda and Booking).

( By Anh Minh , according to TAT, Chiang Mai traveller )

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