Bhubing royal palace is a very beautiful place to be with lots of flowers and trees

Bhubing Royal Palace: A Regal Retreat Amidst Chiang Mai’s Mountains

Bhubing royal palace is about a few kilometers up from Doi Suthep temple. This is one of those few places you must visit after all the historical temples.

Along the road from the city to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park there are a plenty of tourist attractions. One of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep is one of them, which most tourists take in on their visit here. Only four kilometers from Phra That Doi Suthep Temple, is one of the King’s palaces that unfortunately many tourists are unaware of. Most people would imagine the King’s palace to be huge and luxuriously decorated, but Bhubing palace is different. Each building has been built in different styles yet all are simple, harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment.

Situated at 1400 metres of altitude, the Bhubing royal palace enjoys cool climate and lots of moisture all year round. Even when the entire mountain dries up in the worst of the March heat, the palace gardens are in full bloom, with the help of a reservoir that traps and conserves some of the abundant rainfall in the rainy season.

The visit to this winter palace is limited to the walk through the gardens and park but it is definitely worth the time and money. The rose garden is one of the largest and most abundant with different rose species. During the blossoming period it is really beautiful. The park is great, with the artificial lake and fountains, which unfortunately did not work during our visit. If you are a very enthusiastic person with flower, esp rose, so this place is a must visit place.

Phra Tamnak Bhubing Rajanives was the first building, built in a Northern Thai architectural style called “Reun Mu” (Group of Houses). The upper floor is the royal residential area while the ground floor is for the royal entourage. The building master plan was designed by Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara while the building was designed by Mom Rachawongse Mitrarun Kasemsri. The construction of the Palace was undertaken by the Crown Property Bureau, under the supervision of Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara, assisted by Mom Rachawongse Mitrarun Kasemsri and Mr.Pradit Yuwapukka. General Luang Kampanath Saenyakorn, the Privy Councilor was assigned to lay the foundation stones on 24th August 1961 at 10:49 am and the construction took five months to complete. The first royal visitors to stay at the Palace were King Frederick the Ninth and Queen Ingrid of Denmark on their visit to Thailand in January 1962.

The additional buildings include residences for other royal family members. For example Phra Tamnak Payak Sathit, built in 1993 with eucalyptus wood in the style of a log cabin, was for His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Phra Tamnak Phrueksa Wisuthikhun which blends Thai architectural styles of the North and Central Thailand was once the royal residence of the late HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother. Other buildings were built for different purposes, such as Phra Tamnak Siri Song Bhubing, built according to the royal instruction of Her Majesty the Queen who wished to study the use of eucalyptus wood in the construction of buildings, so this building is also called “Phra Tammnak Eucalyptus”.

Important Information

• Please remember that as it’s a royal residence you should keep the noise down to a respectful level.
• Proper dress should be worn: no shorts or dresses showing bare shoulders (clothes rental is available inside)
• Please don’t enter the flower garden or pick the flowers.
• Weapons not allowed.
• No pets either.
• Open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
• Tickets sold from 8.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m., 1.00 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.

The grounds are closed during Royal visits, usually between January and March. The Palace buildings are not open to the public.

How to get to Bhubing royal palace ?

The Palace is located on Doi Buak Ha mountain, about 20 kilometers North West of the city of Chiang Mai. It is along the same road as Phra That Doi Suthep temple. The visit can be combined with Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as a half day budget tour for around 600 THB. But If you want a day trip combined all with Doi Suthep and Doi Pui Hmong Hill Tribe village. Rent a taxi day tour and do all 3 or contact tour agent in Chiang Mai, they can arrange transport for you.

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