Mon Cham (often spelled as Jam) is a scenic day trip from Chiang Mai city centre. You can always stay there if you prefer, but I usually just make it a day trip.

Located in Mong Nong Hoi village, Mon Cham is part of the Royal Project, growing herbs, fruits and vegetables. Due to its cooler temperatures, a great deal of products are grown which are not often available elsewhere. Strawberries are particularly sought after in this area (you can also do your own strawberry picking). The flowers are really quite stunning and attract a great deal of butterflies, some of which are very unusual looking.

Viewpoint, Restaurant & Camping

The main destination at Mon Cham is the mountain viewpoint which has a Royal Project restaurant, serving fresh dishes made from local ingredients.  You can also camp just down from the restaurant area, which I’m sure must be quite beautiful, especially early mornings and sunset/dusk periods, but I haven’t experienced that, so cannot comment (if I recall the prices are between the 700 – 2000 baht range)

Restaurant Opening Hours:
9:00 – 19:00 (August – September)
9:00 – 21:00 (October – February)

The photos are from March period (when it is less scenic than other periods, yet still a lovely trip). March in Chiang Mai region has burning/pollution issues, which often restrict views. It is also the hot season, so quite parched. The good thing about this period though is that there are less tourists around. Peak periods during the cool season (Nov – Feb) attract visitors to the viewpoint, sometimes excessively. If you visit during the peak cool season period, I recommend you go on a weekday rather than at the weekend.