Santikhiri is a small ethnically Chinese hilltop village in western Thailand close to the borders of Myanmar. Earlier known as Mae Salong, today this beautiful village is a major tourist attraction in Thailand. It is also known as the ‘Switzerland of Thai’. In the early 70s’, this village was a strictly off-limit to outsiders. But since 1994, it has developed into a major tourist spot with natives earning their livelihood through tourism. The tea plantations on mountain clads and mist-clad valleys reminds one of our own Munnar but then they are not the only sights that throng tourists to this region. This place is famous for its Chinese noodles known as Yunnan fried noodles. Native language is very different from that of Thailand and the reason is that they are actually speaking Chinese! The natives are actually descendants of Chinese soldiers who sought asylum in Thailand in the 60s’. This is very beautiul and natural village. This is very famous village in the world.
