Worth a trip. It’s breathtaking . Im lucky enough to see the sunrise on early January .you’ll see the sea of fogs, some Hmong kids dancing en route when we climb up the peak, everything is epic. It’s windy and cool up there. I offer some tips for people who’re staying in Chiang rai and don’t mind to spend a lil and wanting an easy trip (save time )to phu chi fa, you can actually get some agency along the city in Chiang rai offering a trip from your hotel to the hiking point, around 3000 baht ,then you’ll just take a 20-30 minutes hike up to phu chi fa.

This place is stunning! We stayed close to Doi Pha Tang and we drove ( a car we rented from the city) about 20-30 mins to reach PhuChiFa. We took a truck to go up there (30-50THB/person) and walked more about 10 mins to reach the top. After all, we manage to find a nice spot for a sunrise and we were lucky to see sunrise above the cloud. It was very cold, windy but sooooo beautiful. Better to prepare a good camera because we didn’t have good enough to capture the dark light but you can witness through your eyes. The only thing I don’t like is, there were a lot of people. But I’m also one of those who wants to see beautiful nature so I shouldn’t complain.

we reached at 5,30am. Being a public holiday there were many visitors. The hike is a moderate one as its a steep climb and the path is not even. For photography the lower base is better. The sea of mist is unique with the peaks jutting out. The sunrise is stunning.

The sunset and sunrise is beautiful, however the path is too polished and beaten that can be a hazard after a rainfall. Temperature did not drop too much, hoovering around 20 Deg-C. There will be Hmong kids along the way dancing or singing seeking for a tip. If you are kind enough to part THB 20/pax, do so otherwise just ignore them

Enjoyed our visit to this mountain marvel. Worth the trek up the mountain. Requires climbing up base camp location to viewing area. Felt like I was on top of the World. Started journey before sunrise, had good hiking shoes, a must for the trail up mountain. Bring a flashlight, you can also buy flashlights at base of climb.

Jan 2020, we survey around Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai & Mae Salong. Always wanted to visit Phu Chi Fa many years back and we finally made it. Stunning view...………. I'll be back again with new groups.

@khillery how did you get there? is the public bus running from Chiang rai? we have been told it is not but previous posts from other travellers suggest it might

Here are the tips on going to this heaven from Chiang Rai and stay there for less than 1000baht. Go to Terminal 1 Bus Station Chiang Rai, which is within the town. Ask around for Phu Chi Fa. You will be shown to a counter, where a hand-written signboard is hung above a desk. Tell the lady who sits behind the desk that you want to go to Phu Chi Fa. The return tickets is 300 baht (at this time of writing). The van will come to pick you up at 1pm. The journey takes more than 3 hours. The same van will pick you up the next morning at 9am, at the same spot of the van station at Phu Chi Fa. I reached the Phu Chi Fa station around 4.15pm. Without any reservation of a accommodation, I was confident (blindly) somehow that I could find a place to rest. At the van station, there was a lady who held out a cardboard, written in English telling me she had a place for 500 baht only. So, I took it. The chalet came with free wifi and hot shower. It was just alright. Some travelers opted for a tent. This costs 300 baht. After checking in, I took a quick walk up the steep tar road to view sunset at the top of Phu Chi Fa. The road stretched a long 2.5km and it was really difficult for me, who was walking faster than my normal pace, as I was trying to reach before the sun set. That 2.5km distance brought me to the car park near the view point. There was another 760 meter to continue on. However, these 760 meter was not so taxing as the earlier 2,5km. The reward was worth it. There were less than 20 tourists at the top, leaving the view point almost empty for quiet time, and appreciation of the wonderful sights of the mountains and surroundings, of Thailand and Laos. I came back to learn that there were pick up trucks to bring anyone up (or down) for a fee of 30 baht each way. My guest house arranged one to pick me up at 5am. That would give me an additional hour to sleep in, as I was planning to get up at 4am to walk up. Do bring torchlight. At the top, there were more than 150 tourists already taking their seats on the ground, awaiting for the sunrise. However, the better spot to view the landscape is not on the peak of the view point but to the left. A few steps further, I was able to avoid the crowd and enjoy wider landscape view. Another good place to take photo is to walk back down the trail, and stop at the nearby spot where the cliff can be seen. As the sun rises, but still below the height of the cliff, the view is simply breath-taking. Internet articles will tell you that the place is really cold and one can suffer hypothermia. Not true. You should have your jacket with you but the temperature is not that bad. The guesthouse thick blanket is already good enough to provide warm sleep. The articles will tell you that there are hardly any eateries there. Time has changed. There are several places you can enjoy your dinner and breakfast the next morning. However, I brought some snacks up to the cliff, since that I knew I would be spending hours there. I was hungry. Thankfully I had something to keep the hunger away. There are the tribal kids, all dressed up, singing for any amount of money donation. Support them, if you want to. They do look adorable. Be prepared to have a sleepless night. During the peak season (Nov to Jan), many locals would head there. They must have been really excited to see one another that they would stay up all night, just to chat and laugh. In a high volume. My German friends told me they suffered in their thin tent. As for me, in the chalet, I could hear my neighbours talking into the late morning but it was not that loud to disturb my sleep. I am planning to go back there again. And this time, maybe I will stay for two nights. The life there seems so easy and relax, some thing that this aching old body of backpacker would wish to enjoy longer, just to get away from the crazy city life.

Since I did not find any 100% sure information about how to get to Phu Chi Fa, I might as well create it myself, maybe someone finds it usefull. -any tour operator could take you for a sunrise for around 2000THB, nothing for me though -its possible to get there on a bike from Chiang Rai, but the last part to the top is a little bit difficult for a non skilled driver -yes, there is a daily bus, or rather a mini van (13seater) going everyday at 1pm and coming back next day at 9am. We chose the last option and I think we chose well. The return bus ticket is for 300thb and you cannot miss it in Chiang Rai old bus terminal 1 (the big main one). There two old grumpy men selling the tickets and they have also sign in English. Try to buy the ticket in advance and I mean day before even if the meaner old grumpy guy is telling you that you cant buy it day before. We were told the same thing, so we decided that we come back first thing in the morning and buy it, of course it was already sold out. The ride is 2,5h to a little village under the viewpoint with a plenty of homestays and restaurants. We opted for a tent in a camping near the crossroad going up to viewpoint. They rent a tent with blankets for 300thb, and its a pretty sweet spot for sunset. Next morning we got up at 4am and wanted to walk to the summit but a car stopped midway and took us there. There are also lots of shuttle buses going up at 5am I think (30thb one way). Take a light jacket for the sunrise it can get windy. and yes a review- the experience was totally dope and awesome. Really a must when near Chiang Rai. Its a lot touristy but the majority of the people are Thai or Lao I think.

The view on the top was amazing. u need to hike around 15 to 20 minutes to the peak. but if u want to photo the cliff u should stop at the first stop on the right. try to avoid weekend. i read a lot how to get to PCF from chiang rai. and what i did was the easiest way. i booked a taxi driver and start the tour in 3am from chiang rai. Lucky me i met Mr Chai, taxi driver and a former tour guide. He is full of knowledge and help in everything. his phone number : 0831531994. the tour also includes trip to doi pha thang, 30 minutes from phu chi fa.