Sunflower Fields At Doi Mae U-Kho (Thung Bua Tong)

[hc02sa]

Hi,

Has anyone recently been to the sunflower fields (Thung Bua Tong) at Doi Mae U-Kho near Khun Yuam and knows if they are in bloom right now?

I am looking for some up to date information before i travel there for a day or two.

Thanks

[vacationman]

Hello,

We go every year to see the sunflowers.

The way we tell when they are at or near peek is to take a ride up Doi Suthep Mountain

almost to the Palace.

There is a field of Sunflowers up there.

When they reach peak is the time to go.

We drove up today and it looks like we are probally at least 10 days

away from being close to peak.

We ride up every 3 or 4 days to keep an eye on them.

Incredible site to see when they reach peak.

Will keep you updated if you want.

[ShopBoy]

Hello,

We go every year to see the sunflowers.

The way we tell when they are at or near peek is to take a ride up Doi Suthep Mountain

almost to the Palace.

There is a field of Sunflowers up there.

When they reach peak is the time to go.

We drove up today and it looks like we are probally at least 10 days

away from being close to peak.

We ride up every 3 or 4 days to keep an eye on them.

By the way how far is the drive to the field from Chiang Mai ?

Incredible site to see when they reach peak.

Will keep you updated if you want.

I would like to go too. Keep this thread posted when peak. Thanks in advance.

By the way how far is the Sunflower field from Chiang Mai ? Is a day trip sufficient.

Edited November 3, 2011 by ShopBoy

[hc02sa]

Thanks for the information and yes it would be great if you could update this post when they are at/near peak.

For 'Shopboy' that asked about the location, the fields are well sign posted once you get to Khun Yuam and turn onto highway 1263 which is around 65km south of Mae Hong Son. Highway 1263 is also part of a beautiful back road route to/from Chiang Mai via Mae Chaem.

[vacationman]

We like to make a 2 or 3 day trip of it. Normally doing the Mae Hong Song Loop staying

1 night in Khun Yham and one night in Mae Hong Song or Pai.

If going on Motorcycle bring Cold Weather Gear becasue it is very chilly in the mountains

early in the mornings.

[CMwanderer]

I'll be watching this closely as I would love to go see them too.

You say you are watching for when they are in peak and then going, how long does the 'peak' last?

[vacationman]

UPDATE on the Sunflowers.

Just rode up Doi Suthep to check out the flowers.

They are at 10% currently.

Based that off counting the buds on 3 or 4 plants.

Ten Buds 1 flower.

15 buds 1 flower

12 buds 1 flower

Soooo we are still at least a week - 10 days away from peak.

Will check again on Tuesday or Wednesday and provide update.

[ShopBoy]

UPDATE on the Sunflowers.

Just rode up Doi Suthep to check out the flowers.

They are at 10% currently.

Based that off counting the buds on 3 or 4 plants.

Ten Buds 1 flower.

15 buds 1 flower

12 buds 1 flower

Soooo we are still at least a week - 10 days away from peak.

Will check again on Tuesday or Wednesday and provide update.

:jap: Kop Khun Kup

[vacationman]

Tuesday Report of Flowers...

Looks like 15 - 20 % now...

However, a LOT of Buds are getting ready to bloom sooo

it could change really fast in the next few days.

Might start heading up the mountain every day now to

enjoy the ride and see the flowers.

[vacationman]

Fridays Report of the Sunflowers on Doi Suthep.

About 30 - 35 % with a lot getting ready to bllom.

We rode around the Samong Loop yesterday and saw a lot of them at PEAK.

Even some of the older flowers had already died off.

Check evelavtion on the maps and the evelation is about half of Doi Suthep

at the top sooo will still to my plan of going when it's near peak on

Doi Suthep.

Guestimating we will depart on Monday heading around the Mae Hong Song Loop

to see the flowers.

Looks like they are going to be wonderful.

Have Fun.

[ShopBoy]

Fridays Report of the Sunflowers on Doi Suthep.

About 30 - 35 % with a lot getting ready to bllom.

We rode around the Samong Loop yesterday and saw a lot of them at PEAK.

Even some of the older flowers had already died off.

Check evelavtion on the maps and the evelation is about half of Doi Suthep

at the top sooo will still to my plan of going when it's near peak on

Doi Suthep.

Guestimating we will depart on Monday heading around the Mae Hong Song Loop

to see the flowers.

Looks like they are going to be wonderful.

Have Fun.

Thanks for the update vacationman.

Need an advice, i am still unsure how to plan my itinerary to see the field.

Would it be more advisable to stay at Khun Yuam or Mae Hong Son if i am doing a 2 days trip.

Do you think a day trip is sufficient ?

I be traveling with 2 kids and their grandparents.

Edited November 11, 2011 by ShopBoy

[Sojourner]

Fridays Report of the Sunflowers on Doi Suthep.

About 30 - 35 % with a lot getting ready to bllom.

We rode around the Samong Loop yesterday and saw a lot of them at PEAK.

Even some of the older flowers had already died off.

Check evelavtion on the maps and the evelation is about half of Doi Suthep

at the top sooo will still to my plan of going when it's near peak on

Doi Suthep.

Guestimating we will depart on Monday heading around the Mae Hong Song Loop

to see the flowers.

Looks like they are going to be wonderful.

Have Fun.

Thanks for the update vacationman.

Need an advice, i am still unsure how to plan my itinerary to see the field.

Would it be more advisable to stay at Khun Yuam or Mae Hong Son if i am doing a 2 days trip.

Do you think a day trip is sufficient ?

I be traveling with 2 kids and their grandparents.

A day out and a day back is about the best you can do if time is at a premium. Mae Hong Son is a bigger city than Khun Yuam so more restaurants to choose from as well as hotels & resorts. I'd book before leaving CNX.

[funcat]

I've been to Mae Hong Son before,but never did the loop...I think we may be going for this trip,so what are the good(economy) places to stay in Khun Yuan,or MHS ?You've mention booking early...Is it better to go all around by Mae Sariang,or use the "shortcut" via Doi Inthanon?...and witch direction,clockwise or counter-clockwise?...thanks...

[vacationman]

Hey Shopboy,

We always stay in Khun Yuam. Basically there is ONE decent Hotel we have found. I don't remember the name but it has a sign that says Hotel.

Nothing to do at all at night... 5 p.m. the city closes down.

We have seen the flowers at all times of the day and the best time for us was at about 11 a.m. in the morning when the sun was direct over head. Makes a big difference if you want to take photos.

Hope you enjoy.

[funcat]

I've been to Mae Hong Son before,but never did the loop...I think we may be going for this trip,so what are the good(economy) places to stay in Khun Yuan,or MHS ?You've mention booking early...Is it better to go all around by Mae Sariang,or use the "shortcut" via Doi Inthanon?...and witch direction,clockwise or counter-clockwise?...thanks...

...hey...hope I will get some advise to my post too......Happy Loi Kratong !!:jap:

[vacationman]

I've been to Mae Hong Son before,but never did the loop...I think we may be going for this trip,so what are the good(economy) places to stay in Khun Yuan,or MHS ?You've mention booking early...Is it better to go all around by Mae Sariang,or use the "shortcut" via Doi Inthanon?...and witch direction,clockwise or counter-clockwise?...thanks...

...hey...hope I will get some advise to my post too......Happy Loi Kratong !!:jap:

We normally do the short cut to Khun Yuam and we normally go clockwise... but I'm sure it's nice no matter the direction.

[Rob5060]

What is the best route to go ie via Mae Chaem or Mae Sariang and what is the approximate journey time in a car

Cheers

[Firelily]

how long do the flowers last? couple of weeks?

[Sojourner]

I've been to Mae Hong Son before,but never did the loop...I think we may be going for this trip,so what are the good(economy) places to stay in Khun Yuan,or MHS ?You've mention booking early...Is it better to go all around by Mae Sariang,or use the "shortcut" via Doi Inthanon?...and witch direction,clockwise or counter-clockwise?...thanks...

...hey...hope I will get some advise to my post too......Happy Loi Kratong !!:jap:

My personal tastes are to travel anti clockwise from CNX, stay in Soppong instead of Pai, then another night in Mae Hong Son followed by an early start to the sunflowers near Khun Yuam, across to Mae Chem, up to the Doi Inthanon junction and either up to the peak (don't have to pay to enter the national park) or down and back to CNX. Edited November 12, 2011 by Sojourner

[Fishenough]

What is the best route to go ie via Mae Chaem or Mae Sariang and what is the approximate journey time in a car

Cheers

Depends on how you drive and what you like to drive.... Hot to Mae Sariang to Khun Yuam will provide the least winding route and a quicker travel time. Chomthong to Mae Cheam and north to the fields on the 1088/1263 provides a nicer twister road for a motorcycle; or a rougher surface and road sickness to car passengers. Roughly it's ~250 km's to Khun Yuam, not even long enough for decent days ride so I'll be taking the 1013/1284 to add some back roads and valley vistas to the ride. What'd that be in a safely driven car, roughly 4 hours.

Also on the road to Doh Inthanon, the 1009, tell the gate attendants your traveling to Mae Chaem and there will be no charge.

More importantly - Anyone have pictures and a report yet?

[vacationman]

Well after checking out the flowers on Doi Suthep we have decided that this week should probally be peak

at Khun Yuam. Hope we are correct.

Safe driving to all.

[Fishenough]

Well after checking out the flowers on Doi Suthep we have decided that this week should probally be peak

at Khun Yuam. Hope we are correct.

Safe driving to all.

Also checked at the flowers in the hills past the Mae Win recreational area this weekend, pretty, and it appears there starting to peak.

[vacationman]

We have arrived at the Sunflowers in Khun Yuam and they are AWESOME.

Left Chiang Mai today Monday at 8.30 a.m. heading toward Doi Inthanon

stopping for a gas up and some food at the PTT Gas Station and Resturant

right past the turn off toward Doi Inthanon.

Departed gas station heading thru the national park on the way to Mae Chaem.

Just tell the National Park Staff that you are driving thru to Khun Yuam and

there is no need to Pay.

The mountains were incredible with pretty good views.

HOWEVER, once you turn LEFT heading towards Mae Chaem the roads

become pretty BAD.

Pretty stressful and slow if you are on a Motorcycle.

The entire road is a huge POT HOLE in many areas.

Stopped for a Coffeee and Break at the Bed and Breakfast... Bed and

Breakfast... actual na,e apparently.

Arrived in Khun Yuam at 2 p.m. and got Hotel Room for 300 baht per night.

They are having the Sunflower Festival here in Town from 14th - 22nd November

here in Town which is a welcome surprise. Normally not much to do here

after 5 p.m.

Headed back to see the flowers arriving at 3 p.m.

Very close to being Peak if not already at peak.

Would recommend heading this way soon if you want to see them

at peak.

Will visit again tommorrow for a few hours around 11 a.m.

when the sun will be directly overhead and makes for great

viewing.

The flowers are much brighter when the sun is shining.

Hope you all enjoy.

[145]

Hi there. You say the road is bad to Mae Chaem and you managed the trip in about 6 hours. Is the road bad all the way to Mae Chaem? Were you on a motorbike or in a car? Thanks in advance ........

We have arrived at the Sunflowers in Khun Yuam and they are AWESOME.

Left Chiang Mai today Monday at 8.30 a.m. heading toward Doi Inthanon

stopping for a gas up and some food at the PTT Gas Station and Resturant

right past the turn off toward Doi Inthanon.

Departed gas station heading thru the national park on the way to Mae Chaem.

Just tell the National Park Staff that you are driving thru to Khun Yuam and

there is no need to Pay.

The mountains were incredible with pretty good views.

HOWEVER, once you turn LEFT heading towards Mae Chaem the roads

become pretty BAD.

Pretty stressful and slow if you are on a Motorcycle.

The entire road is a huge POT HOLE in many areas.

Stopped for a Coffeee and Break at the Bed and Breakfast... Bed and

Breakfast... actual na,e apparently.

Arrived in Khun Yuam at 2 p.m. and got Hotel Room for 300 baht per night.

They are having the Sunflower Festival here in Town from 14th - 22nd November

here in Town which is a welcome surprise. Normally not much to do here

after 5 p.m.

Headed back to see the flowers arriving at 3 p.m.

Very close to being Peak if not already at peak.

Would recommend heading this way soon if you want to see them

at peak.

Will visit again tommorrow for a few hours around 11 a.m.

when the sun will be directly overhead and makes for great

viewing.

The flowers are much brighter when the sun is shining.

Hope you all enjoy.

[thaiatheart]

Will there be any sunflowers left next week? Or will we have missed them all?

[Fishenough]

Hi there. You say the road is bad to Mae Chaem and you managed the trip in about 6 hours. Is the road bad all the way to Mae Chaem? Were you on a motorbike or in a car? Thanks in advance ........

Was there yesterday and would say that the sunflowers are at there peak, so they would still be nice in a weeks time.

I left Chiang Mai at 8am, after dropping my son off at school, and 5 minutes after noon was at the nice Surin water fall - picture attached. I took the route turning at Chom Thong, on route to Doi Inthanon, then taking the nice 1192 to Mae Chaem and then the 1263 to the Sunflowers. It took less then 10 bucks of gas to get there, with fuel and drink stops on route, you just can't bet that bang for the buck that a small displacement motorcycle offers!!!!!!!!!

Poor pictures from my old phone

[doubleduh]

We're planning to go there next weekend, is the road from Doi Inthanon to Mae hong son doable in, say, a Vios? I'm talking about this road:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Chiang+Mai+International+Airport+Chiang+Mai+Thailand&daddr=Route+108&hl=en&ll=18.841314,98.473206&spn=1.375049,2.120361&sll=18.971234,98.525391&sspn=1.373981,2.120361&geocode=FQ5jHgEddhrmBSGXRZP943QkoA%3BFT73IwEdYErXBQ&vpsrc=6&mra=pr&t=h&z=9

If it's possible, about how long would it take? Google thinks about 4,5 hours, normally anywhere else in Thailand I've found it takes about 2/3 of the time that Google states, but I'm not sure in this case...

[Fishenough]

We're planning to go there next weekend, is the road from Doi Inthanon to Mae hong son doable in, say, a Vios? I'm talking about this road:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Chiang+Mai+International+Airport+Chiang+Mai+Thailand&daddr=Route+108&hl=en&ll=18.841314,98.473206&spn=1.375049,2.120361&sll=18.971234,98.525391&sspn=1.373981,2.120361&geocode=FQ5jHgEddhrmBSGXRZP943QkoA%3BFT73IwEdYErXBQ&vpsrc=6&mra=pr&t=h&z=9

If it's possible, about how long would it take? Google thinks about 4,5 hours, normally anywhere else in Thailand I've found it takes about 2/3 of the time that Google states, but I'm not sure in this case...

Tarmac all the way, broken in places but purtty smooth. Driven steady at reasonable speeds , 4 hours with out stops easily. You'd have to be flying around those corners to be there in 3 hours, it's twisty in them mountains, the 1192 has some nice hairpins.

[adamchiangmai]

If you go to MaeChem from CNX you should know the road between Chomthong and Hot is under construction

and it is very bad driving, especially with a motorbike. A lot of dust and traffic.You can go to Hot via DoiTao but then

it is a long day trip.I was there the last sunday.