| Phu Chi Fa | |
| Other Name: | ภูชี้ฟ้า |
| Elevation M: | 1,628 |
| Map: | Thailand |
| Map Size: | 200 |
| Label Position: | right |
| Listing: | List of mountains in Thailand |
| Location: | Tap Tao, Chiang Rai Province |
| Range: | Phi Pan Nam Range |
| Coordinates: | 19.85°N 100.4542°W |
| First Ascent: | unknown |
| Easiest Route: | drive |
Phu Chi Fa (th|ภูชี้ฟ้า, pronounced as /th/), also Phu Chee Fah, is a mountain area and national forest park in Thailand. It is located at the northeastern end of the Phi Pan Nam Range, 12 km to the southwest of Doi Pha Tang at the eastern edge of Tap Tao in Thoeng District, Chiang Rai Province.
The cliff is part of an elevated area, the Doi Pha Mon sub-range, that rises near the border with Laos sloping towards the Mekong River which has an area of approximately 58,069 rai ~ 92.91 km2 (35.87 sq mi). The heights range between 1,200 and 1,628 m (3937 - 5341 ft) to the east of the mountain.[1]
With views over the surrounding mountains, it is one of the famous tourist attractions of the Thai highlands near Chiang Rai. Tourists visit the mountain especially at dawn in order to catch a glimpse of the "sea of mist" and the view of the fog-surrounded hills.
Phu Chi Fa is part of the Doi Pha Mon mountain range, which is the border between Thailand and Laos in Chiang Rai-Phayao provinces. It has a steep cliff, so it was named “Phu Chi Fa.” It is believed that Phu Chi Fa was once home to ancient tribes, such as the Akha or Hmong people. Locals call the ridge pointing to the sky “Chi Fa”.
In the years between 1965 to 1983, this area was a battlefield due to ideological conflicts between groups that adhered to communist principles, who formed the Communist Party of Thailand, and government officials who were sent to suppress them, resulting in tragic and bloody confrontations. After the security problems were resolved, a road was built along the Thai-Laos border from Ban Pha Tang, through Phu Chi Fa, and to Chiang Kham District. Since then, Phu Chi Fa has been well-known to tourists since 1991, and The Forest Department ordered it to be a forest park again on February 6, 1998.[2]
Phu Chi Fa is home to various Animals. From the survey and interviews with local residents, the wildlife in the surveyed national forest reserve can be broadly categorized as follows:
The forest around Phu Chi Fa supports a wide variety of plant species, contributing to the region's rich biodiversity. Tree species include the White Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Fagus Hayatae, Red Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Water Beech (Fagus sylvatica), and Giant Beech (Fagus japonica). Other prominent trees include Terminalia Bellerica, known for its use in traditional medicine, Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), and aromatic species like Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) and Jambolan (Syzygium cumini). Wild flowering trees, such as Michelia Alba, Sarapee (Magnolia sirindhorniae), Wild Champak (Magnolia champaca), and Wild Magnolia, add seasonal blooms to the forest canopy.
The forest understory is equally diverse, supporting plant species such as Ground Orchids, Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica), Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), Rat-tail Grass (Sporobolus indicus), and Broom Grass (Thysanolaena maxima). Mosses and various fern species thrive in the moist, shaded conditions, creating a lush, layered landscape beneath the taller trees. This combination of towering trees and a rich understory provides an intricate ecosystem, sustaining a wide array of wildlife and enhancing the natural beauty of the region.[3]
The weather is influenced by two types of seasonal monsoons: the northeast monsoon, which brings cold and dry air masses from China to cover Thailand during the winter, causing Chiang Rai to have generally cold and dry weather; and the southwest monsoon, which brings moist air masses from the sea and the Indian Ocean to cover Thailand during the rainy season, causing Chiang Rai to have rain.[4]
It is divided into 3 seasons:
On average, Phu Chi Fa is a popular tourist attraction, drawing a high volume of visitors, with more than 250,000 to 300,000 people traveling there each year. The peak tourist season for Phu Chi Fa falls during the winter months, particularly from December to February. This time of year, is especially popular due to cooler temperate, making it the most visited place for outdoor activities and hiking in the area.During the rainy season through to winter, one of the key attractions of Phu Chi Fa is its renowned viewpoint, offering a view of the sea of mist and a sunrise. The landscape features expansive, layered mountain ranges stretching across the horizon. In the early mornings, the valleys below are often shrouded in a sea of mist, with the sun rising above it.
Phu Chi Fa’s landscape presents captivating views throughout the day, not just at dawn. The region’s rolling grasslands and intricate mountain ranges display varied colors across the seasons: in summer and winter, the grasslands take on a distinctive golden hue, while in the rainy season, they become lush and green. During late afternoon and evening, a gradual mist often blankets the area again[6]
The Sakura viewing point
Near Phu Chi Fa, from December to February, the highway connecting Phu Chi Fa and Doi Pha Tang becomes a notable site for seasonal blooms. During these months, Thai cherry blossoms (Prunus cerasoides), locally known as “Nang Phaya Sua Krong,” flower along both sides of the road, forming a corridor of pink blossoms. This display has become recognized for its scenic appeal, making this stretch one of Thailand’s most visually striking mountain drives.
| Phu Chi Fa National Park in overview PARO 15 (Chiang Rai) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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