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Hilltribe Villages

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Hilltribe Villages
3.5
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The area
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Restaurants
1 702 within 5 kms
Thia Go (Viet Nam)
131
1 kmR • Vietnamese
Baan Rai Yam Yen
69
0.5 kmRR - RRR • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Longcharm
3
0.3 km
Khun Hao Hoi Thot
2
0 m
Baanrai Yarmyen
39
0.5 kmRR - RRR • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Ikigai
89
1.2 kmRR - RRR • Mediterranean • European • Asian
Jia Tong Heng Restaurant
168
0.7 kmRR - RRR • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Pizzeria Giotto
70
0.9 kmRR - RRR • Italian • Pizza • European
Cream Cups Cafe Chiangmai
1
0.7 kmCafe
ZENZEN Lifestyle Cafe
20
0.9 kmRR - RRR • Cafe • Healthy • Vegan Options
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Attractions
253 within 10 kms
Elephant Rescue Park
1,823
3.9 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Kaew Gallery
146
4.1 kmArt Galleries
Elephant sanctuary care Park
221
4.5 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Elephant Parade Land
115
2.5 kmSpeciality Museums
Wat Phan Tao
715
2.8 kmReligious Sites
Monkchat Meditation Retreat
196
Religious Sites
Ploen Ruedee Night Market
634
3.4 kmFlea & Street Markets
Wat Chiang Man
1,099
3.5 kmArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Wat Phra Singh
3,578
4.1 kmReligious Sites
Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara
8,066
4.1 kmAncient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
344 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
99
Average
74
Poor
33
Terrible
52
laura759
Peterborough, Canada170 contributions
Interesting museum
Oct 2022 • Couples
Very interesting history of the tribes. Not very well marked for directions but we managed to find the museum. Vendors were friendly but not pushy!
Written 11 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nashboroguy
Zhangjiagang, China236 contributions
My second visit in two years
Jan 2020
While some call this a human zoo, and others claim it to be a tourist trap, I find it neither. These people are refugees from other surrounding countries like China and Laos. Thailand has provided this land for them to develop and live on. Tourism is the main source of income and they have developed it well. It is educational, as well as a relaxation center away from the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai. The people are not pushy in the market, They are extremely friendly, willing to share their smiles for your photos, and talk with you about their life there. It is also a great place to make you find your blessing of being born in a country where you have opportunities that these people do not. I highly recommend a visit here. If you are trying to decide between this ethnic site and the one in Chiang Rai, CHOOSE THIS ONE.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike W
125 contributions
Rip off
Jan 2020 • Couples
Went to the village entrance-no prices displayed and told entry was 500 baht-the same price as entry to Grand Palace in Bangkok. Sorry but wasn't going to pay the entry cost and left and many of the reviews backed up my impression.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara Clabassi
3 contributions
Amazing experience
Jan 2020 • Couples
Let’s say that we where not sure about the ethical choice to visit this village, especially since there are a lot of different points of view about the matter. At the end we decided to go, spend some time with them and see ourselves. They are amazing, we tried to speak with them and play with the kids a little bit. We bought also a couple of handmade scarves.

One of them show me the bruises around then neck because I was say how heavy was it. ( they i think everything is pretty real)

Overall was an amazing experience especially since their condition as refugees does not allow them to have a choice, but at least they can afford in this way to live with dignity.

I just want to answer to all the people said this is a Zoo , this isn’t a zoo , is how you treat them not the opposite way around , of course if you go there take them a pic without ask them permission (I saw this today a lot ) you treat them like animal, but if you take a pic with them and give them same money for say thanks and show some respect, you treat them like a equal human been. They are more like to be there then in prison and they know that. Then be respectful and try to help if you can.

PS THE TICKET FOR HELP THE VILLAGE IS 300 BTH ,8€ ,£7

A small donation just to help this village I don’t think is a rape off !!
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Maarek
Tel Aviv, Israel15 902 contributions
Do it !! It's for tourists, yes...so what ?
Dec 2018
I'll try to be short this time.

There is no escape from it, we areT-O-U-R-I-S-T-S.
No use in denial ;-)

We are coming from the US, or Europe, in short the Western World.

We have decided to travel to the Far East exactly for this kind of experience.
The Hill Tribes, the Long Necks, The Yahoo tribes and not so many others show us a window, a glimpse of a culture so different that it would be a waste not being there.

Yes, of course we always wish for Authenticity...But what can you achieve in just a few days or a few weeks at most?
Most of us are not backpackers traveling for months and our time is too short, too limited before we catch our flight back to work.

So take your camera, go to the Hill Tribes, dive as much as you can in these villages, have tea, walk in the mud (yes Monson time is like that), accumulate the sights, sounds, languages, smells also, try to talk, to exchange smiles also, yes.

And believe me, you won't regret it, this is far much better, far more memorable than any old stones or Temples, stunning and amazing as they can be.
Written 15 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darron T
Califon, NJ69 contributions
Wonderful Experience
Aug 2019
We visited the Hill tribes, including the Karen Tribe (long neck tribe) as part of a Doi Suthep, Orchid Farm, Snake Farm, and Hidden temple tour. Our tour guide Mai was great at explaining the histories of the different tribes. She also explained we could walk through their houses to see how they lived, but we felt uncomfortable doing that. My sister stated she thought it was weird that people were on display as part of a tour, but later understood that part of the tour aspect is how the tribes earn money, on top of the wares that the females of the various tribes make and sell at their homes. It was great seeing the difference between the tribes as well as seeing how their traditions haven't been lost in time.
Written 28 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heyjudithz
Knoxville, TN1 498 contributions
Just a snapshot
May 2019
Don't expect to get a real idea of the way of life of these fascinating people from this place. We did have a really good lunch made by a Hill Tribe woman and her husband, and they obliged us with a photo afterwards. I believe there is a lot more here than meets the eye, and I was simply not sure how to go about seeing it.
Written 28 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lezels
Mooloolaba, Australia79 contributions
Total Rip OFF
May 2019 • Friends
We took our own mini bus booked & barres by us to Long Neck Karen. It cost us each 500 Bart ($25) to get into the village. There was only same stuff at each stall to buy- each stall sold exactly the same. They asked us for money to take a photo- we said no. We took the photo as we had paid to go in.
Don’t go.
The silver shop was nice.
The silk place was sensational & beautiful reasonable priced clothes to buy.
The temple with the 309 steps is a great workout!
There is only street food at the top of the hill to buy & the fruit drinks are delicious & only 40 Bart.
We had a good day but the long necks is a waste of time.
Definitely don’t go to long neck Karen.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greatwestvacation
Fort Collins, CO28 contributions
Homestay with the Hilltribes - best part of our trip.
Mar 2019 • Family
We booked this trip for my family that includes three boys, ages 12-17. We had an English-speaking guide from the tribe who took us. The tribe was very kind and welcoming. The food was delicious and mostly foraged from the surrounding jungle. Sleeping arrangements were more comfortable than I thought they would be in our own bamboo hut. And we enjoyed staying up late talking with them and playing with a mouse trap they made. The whole trip was very special and we consider our guide to be a friend now.. My husband and I are already planning a trip back to Thailand in 18 months, and I know that we will be spending more time with the Hilltribes then!
Written 2 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven F
Tamworth, Australia10 contributions
pay to go to their shop
Apr 2019 • Friends
The outlook is nice has a waterfall. We were charged 1000 Baht entry which I thought was tough. Paid and went through, its pathetic, the woman wear a clip on neck support, doesn't look authentic and all that is inside are local outlets for their scarves and trinkets. Don't visit.
Written 1 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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HILLTRIBE VILLAGES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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