Ban Rak Thai is a lakeside village with Yunnan vibes
In a few weeks, winter season will be upon Thailand. Many of us will have plans to visit the north of the country near the end of the year as our bodies yearn to bask in natural aircon temperatures in the mountains once again.
Ban Rak Thai is a foggy lakeside village with tea farms and Yunnan vibes in Mae Hong Son. Vacationing here might make you forget that you’re traveling in Thailand.
More places to check out in northern Thailand:
- Phu Thara Chiang Mai has bubble domes and outdoor bathtubs
- Wat Rong Suea Ten is an all-blue temple in Chiang Rai
- Yud Wela Cafe lets you gaze at a little Switzerland while sipping coffee
Ban Rak Thai boasts a village with a foggy lake and tea farms
Image credit: @banksjourney
Ban Rak Thai is a rustic Chinese village that’s hidden in Mae Hong Son Province. The streets are lined with cottages topped with a traditional xieshan-style roof, as part of siheyuans – quadrangle-shaped yards – as if you had been teleported to Yunnan’s gorgeous country sides.
These houses aren’t actually where locals stay, but they are the rooms of Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort circled by rows of green tea plantations against the backdrop of lush jungles.
Image credit: @goodtimetrip
If you go for a walk in the village, no matter where you look, you will notice cafes, eateries and teahouses everywhere – as well as red lanterns strung up above the main walking street.
Image credit: Hashcorner
The noteworthy feature here – in our point of view – would be this lake with thin patches of fog floating above the water that’s both a tranquil atmosphere and doubles up as a stunning photo point. Personally, we’d be happy gazing at this scenic view for hours.
Image credit: @weerachit.p
We can’t deny the beauty of it in the daytime, but once night falls, the village’s vivid lights from the houses create neon reflections on the lake’s surface. Let’s take a moment to admire this view through the lens, before getting into what F&B options are available here.
Sip on fresh brews while observing the lake
Image credit: @witsarud
Understandably, you may be feeling a little peckish after trekking across the entire village and checking out the lake. That’s why we’d recommend a quick pitstop to recharge at this vintage Chinese cafe.
Lee Wine Coffee is a wooden teahouse characterised with traditional Chinese architecture next to the lake.
Image credit: @rungbretta
We like that the cafe offers a dining table on the second floor with a panoramic view of the lake. Needless to say, this will be the busiest spot where many folks try to snag a seat to sip on their drinks.
Image credit: @puuunim
Alright, this is what piqued our interest as soon as we heard about it; authentic Yunnan food is served here at Lee Wine Cafe. As this cuisine is pretty rare in Thailand, we think it’ll be a good idea to try their freshly steamed mantous, and stewed pork knuckle.
Boat tours on the lake & tea farm visits
Image credit: @banky405_photo
While you’re having your meal, you might spot some boats decked with red lanterns parking downstairs next to the cafe. Don’t be too surprised, as those are the boats you can ride from ฿160 (~USD4)/person. The boat will take you on a tour around the lake through a bank of fog for ~30 minutes – yet another way to admire a different side to the tranquil village.
Image credit: @nikcyclist
After you’re done with the boat tour, if you have no clue about what to do next, we suggest a late afternoon stroll along the tea farms at Lee Wine Resort. Even if you’re not a guest there, visitors are allowed to take strolls amongst the plantations to gain a better understanding of how tea farms work.
Overall, we’d say this village is a place that you should visit once in your lifetime if you’re spending time in Thailand.
Getting to Ban Rak Thai in Mae Hong Son
Hidden in Mae Hong Son is a slice of Yunnan culture at Ban Rak Thai village, and it’s nice to know that you won’t have to commit to a flight to China, just to experience Chinese teahouse and village living. If you think a one-day trip is not enough, don’t worry, overnight accommodation in the village is easily accessible at resorts like Wine Rak Thai Resort.
Getting to the village from Mae Hong Son’s centre, you can take a yellow pickup taxi to get there for ฿120 (~USD10)/person. The taxi can be found at Sai Yud Market. Alternatively, you can hire a motorcycle for ฿300 (~USD8)/day or drive your own car to reach the village within one hour.
If you’ve been to similar resorts with your family and friends, we’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.
Ban Rak Thai
Address: Mok Cham Pae, Mueang Mae Hong Son District, Mae Hong Son 58000
Ban Rak Thai’s Facebook | Google Maps
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): @banksjourney, @unseentourthailand, @nicky_b2005
Enjoying The Smart Local Thailand? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this.