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A short half day trip if you have limited time to see some of the local colourful hilltribes. After being picked up from your hotel you will continue to Akha village at Mae Chan District. The Akha people are rightly famous for their very exotic and beautiful costumes, and can be seen in many towns in Thailand selling their unique handicrafts. Akha people are usually of small stature, with dark skin and fine, delicate features. Despite their typical poverty, they have a resolute spirit and a great sense of humor. Quick to laugh and joke, they are delightful people to stay with or visit, and are vary generous with whatever they may have. The Yao hail from southern China, and at one time had considerable prestige within the Chinese Empire, to the extent that at one time a Yao princess was married to an emperor of China.
The Yao in Thailand are a sub-group called "Mien" of the greater Yao family while most Yao inhabit southern China, Laos, and northern Vietnam. They are the only minority group in Thailand to have used a written language – Chinese - and practice a written religion based on medieval Chinese Taoism. In recent years, however, there have been many converts to Christianity and Buddhism.
Their villages are widely scattered throughout the northeastern part of northern Thailand, with concentrations around Nan, Phayao, and Chiang Rai. The costume of the women is very distinctive, with a long black jacket with lapels of bright scarlet wool, not unlike a Hawaiian lei. Heavily embroidered loose trousers in intricate designs are worn, and a similarly embroidered black turban. The teeth are commonly capped with gold. The skullcaps of babies are very beautiful, richly embroidered with red or pink pom-poms. On special occasions, women and children wear silver neck-rings, with silver chains extending down the back decorated with silver ornaments.
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