Doi Inthanon National Park

The mountain was once called Doi Luang, the great mountain. It takes its current name from Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, whose remains, according to tradition, were placed in a small shrine on the summit. The national park was established in 1972.

The slopes have long been home to Karen and Hmong communities, and some 4,500 people live in villages inside the park. Royal projects later introduced temperate crops, flowers and coffee as alternatives to older forms of hill farming, and the Royal Agricultural Station Inthanon, at about 1,280 metres, is now one of the stops on the main road. The twin chedis on the ridge honour King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.

Karen and Hmong villages on the mountain sell coffee, fruit, vegetables and textiles, and the market at the Hmong settlement near the royal project is a common stop. In Mae Klang Luang, Karen families grow arabica coffee in the shade of the forest and run small cafés and homestays. Around the royal project you can buy strawberries, temperate vegetables and flowers grown at altitude.