The misty mountain village of Mae Kampong is situated just over an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai - known for its wooden houses built into the hillside, jungle views, and cute cafes serving some of the tastiest coffee we’ve ever had in Thailand. A day trip, or overnight stay here, lets you experience the community-led ecotourism model which the locals have adopted, whether it be shopping at traditional craft shops or staying at family-run homestays.

Mae Kampong isn’t touristy in the typical sense - you won’t see large swathes of “farangs” (foreigners). But there seems to be a steady flow of Thai travelers who visit for the day, lured in by those viral social media videos of people having Mookata (Thai BBQ) on the balconies. We actually didn’t mind mixing it with the Thai visitors. It gave the village a nice little atmosphere, and it was fun to sit back at a cafe and watch the world go by.

Mae Kampong - Cafes and Restaurants — *Cafes and restaurants*

Mae Kampong - Local Life — *Village life*

What To Do in Mae Kampong

Take a Songthaew Up to Rabiang View Cafe

If you’re driving to Mae Kampong yourself, you’ll find parking at the base of the village. From the carpark, songthaew drivers wait to take visitors up to their accommodation or all the way up to Rabiang View Cafe. We were visiting with friends and all piled into the songthaew together, taking the steep, nerve-wrecking ride up to the cafe. The road almost felt vertical in places, but the songthaews had enough grunt in them to reach the top.

Rabiang View Cafe was a lovely spot to relax on the wooden deck while admiring the views over the neighborhood rooftops, and (of course) try some of their locally grown coffee which is sourced from the surrounding mountains. We weren’t expecting much but we were blown away: the coffee was strong, smooth and absolutely delicious. Kat, being a “caffeine addict” herself, decided to treat herself to two cups instead of one.

Mae Kampong - Rabiang View Cafe — *Rabiang View Cafe*

Rabiang Cafe - Mae Kampong — *Rabiang View Cafe*

Mae Kampong - Viewpoint Cafe — *Rabiang View Cafe*

Songthaew Ride - Mae Kampong — *Songthaew ride*

Have Mookata (Thai BBQ) on the Balconies

The scene that shot Mae Kampong to fame was the viral social media video of people eating Mookata (Thai BBQ) on the wooden balconies overlooking the streets, or beside streams. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the cooler climate of Mae Kampong, with the hot charcoal and fresh cuts of juicy pork warming you up from the inside out. You can find Mookata at restaurants in the main village or offered at local guesthouses as part of your stay.

Shop for Snacks and Crafts at the Street Vendors

Lining the streets of Mae Kampong are these quaint street vendors selling everything from dumplings to cotton candy. There’s even beers being poured on the roadside, something that Cam took advantage of with a few cold Singhas as he explored the streets. If you want a sit down meal, you can also pop inside one of the more formal cafes or restaurants but if you like nibbling on different kinds of street food you’ll have a ball here. Be sure to try spicy Sai Oua (Northern Thai sausage), Kai Pam (eggs grilled inside banana leafs), and Khao Puk Nga (pounded sticky rice with black sesame).

Mae Kampong - Street Food — *Street food*

Cotton Candy - Mae Kampong — *Cotton candy*

Craft Shops - Mae Kampong — *Shops at Mae Kampong*

Watch the Sunrise at Kew Fin Viewpoint

One of the best ways to start your day in Mae Kampong, especially if you’re staying overnight, is to venture to the Kew Fin Viewpoint for sunrise. It’s a little bit out of town, reached via a four-kilometer mountain road but it’s worth the journey. You can hire a shuttle truck for around 100 THB to get there or take your own scooter as long as you drive extra carefully in the early morning. At the peak of the viewpoint, a panoramic ridge offers views across two different provinces (Chiang Mai and Lampang) and if you’re lucky you’ll witness a sea of mist hovering over the mountains.

Visit the Mae Kampong Waterfall

Mae Kampong is situated in the Mae On district, known for its beautiful nature, hot springs and lush waterfalls - all of which can add a sense of adventure to your trip. To our surprise, we learned that there’s a waterfall accessible right from the main village named: Mae Kampong Waterfall. It can be reached on the main ascending road out past Rabiang View Cafe.

Where to Stay in Mae Kampong

Most people choose to visit Mae Kampong on a day trip, but there’s actually some cool homestay and glamping accommodations dotted throughout the village and on the winding road up as you approach it. One of the most popular hotels is called Woo Ma Ca Moo, famous (especially among Thai influencers) for its stunning wooden interiors and BBQ that you can enjoy at the hotel itself. There’s also places like The River (Mae Kampong) which offers luxurious glamping tents by the river, and T-Story (Mae Kampong) which boasts boutique treehouse architecture.

How to Get to Mae Kampong

We visited Mae Kampong on our way back from Chiang Rai, after renting a car and taking a road trip around Northern Thailand. It was a long journey, and when we entered the narrow, windy and steep final section to the village, it felt like it went on forever. But we made it in the end and were glad we did. We parked by the visitor center, right by the temple and school, a place you’ll want to arrive early to secure a space. If you’re looking to visit by scooter or motorbike just make sure it’s at least 150cc - you’ll need extra horsepower to tackle the steepest roads. You can also visit on a tour from Chiang Mai, which for many might be the easiest option.

Mae Kampong - Parking Lot — *Parking lot*

Mae Kampong - Steep Roads — *Steep roads*

FAQs About Visiting Mae Kampong

When is the best time of year to visit?

The cool season, from November to February, is arguably the best time to visit - especially to enjoy Mookata in the cool mountain air. We went in March and didn’t notice the weather at all - it was mild and pleasant. That being said, Mae Kampong can be visited year round. The rainy season does bring about a few downpours but you’ll get to enjoy lush scenery, full waterfalls, and lingering mist - which can make it quite magical.

What time should I arrive at the village?

Arriving early in the morning, say before 9:00 AM, is a good idea for a few reasons. Firstly, you’ll be able to secure a space in the parking lot and get to wander around the village before the tour groups arrive. And secondly, you’ll have a higher chance of seeing the village blanketed in clouds of mist. Avoiding the weekends is also recommended as this is when most of the Thai travelers visit. But, to be honest, we didn’t mind exploring a destination that the Thais love - it still felt like we were in Thailand after all.

How many days do I need in Mae Kampong?

A day trip is sufficient time to grab a coffee from the Rabiang View Cafe, see the main walking streets, and have a nice lunch. Staying overnight though just gives you that additional time to relax and unwind - chilling at the hotel, having Mookata for dinner, and maybe waking up for the sunrise viewpoint and visiting the waterfall as well. Anything more than two nights might start to feel repetitive as Mae Kampong’s attractions are very limited.

Mae Kampong: How to Visit this Charming Mountain Village