Ban Rak Thai Travel Guides & Itineraries

Ban Rak Thai is a scenic Yunnanese Chinese village in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. It is known for its mist-shrouded lake, terraced tea plantations, and traditional culture.

Lake and Sunrise Experiences

Sunrise Wooden Boat Rides: Take a traditional Chinese wooden boat onto the central reservoir early in the morning, ideally before 7:00 a.m., to glide through the mist and admire the reflections of the surrounding mountains.

Lakeside Mookata: In the evening, dine at a waterfront restaurant and enjoy traditional mookata, a Thai-style barbecue, while watching the sunset and the glow of red Chinese lanterns.

Traditional Attire Photoshoots: You’ll forget you are in Thailand in Ban Rak Thai; rent or wear traditional Chinese clothing and take portraits beside the lake and along the wooden docks.

Tea and Culture

Traditional Tea Tasting: Sample local oolong, green, and jasmine teas at tea houses and plantations that thrive in the cool mountain climate.

Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort: Visit this renowned terraced resort and its viewpoints. For an entrance fee of around 50 THB, you can walk through the steep tea fields and admire the distinctive clay cottages.

Walking Street Shopping: Browse the local shops along the village paths for loose-leaf tea, handcrafted teapots, dried fruit, and Chinese herbs.

Food and Sightseeing

Authentic Yunnanese Cuisine: Enjoy regional specialties such as pork leg stew, mushroom hotpot, steamed rice buns, stir-fried pork belly, and handmade noodles.

Local Ginger and Specialty Products: Try freshly brewed ginger tea made from the ginger grown throughout the surrounding hills.

Mountain Temple Hike: Follow the trail to the local mountaintop temple for panoramic views of the village and the landscape stretching toward the Myanmar border.