| Amphoe Pai |
| |
| Hilltribe
Trekking |
|  Mae
Hong Son has several tour operators that specialise
in trekking. Treks are designed to expose
visitors to splendor nature and a variety
of hilltribes. The adventure may combine jungle
walks with elephant riding and river rafting.
The cool winter months of November to February
are the best time to travel. Avoid the height
of the rainy season in August and September.
In the dry months between March and May, the
temperature can soar uncomfortably high for
strenuous mountain hikes.
|
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| Mountain
Biking |
| The centre for mountain biking
adventure is Pai district, where several bike
shops rent out bikes and gear to tourists.
Bike tours explore nearby and remote hilltribe
villages, waterfalls and hot springs. The
best time is November-May. Experienced guides
are ready to lead biking parties through breathtaking
back-country trails for up to a week. There
are natural cycle paths through the forest,
first trod by animals then beaten by man.
They range from as narrow as a single person’s
stride or as wide as an elephant or ox cart. |
| |
| Pong
Dueat Hot Spring |
| This is a geyser type hot
spring which rises up 2 metres high. At Km.
42 of Route 1095, there is a six-kilometre
road leading to the hot spring. |
| |
| Rafting
along the Pai River |
| This is an exciting and delightful
recreation. The Pai itself is the longest
river of Mae Hong Son originating from mountain
ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district
and eventually joins the Salawin river in
Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres.
With an average depth of some 7 metres, the
riverbed is mainly pebbled. There are several
sectors eminently suitable for rafting past
rapids and natural scenery including beautiful
waterfalls.
Tour operators in Mae Hong Son town or in
Pai district can provide the necessary service,
some also able to provide elephant rides.
The best time for rafting is from October
to March.
|
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| Tha Pai
Hot Spring |
|  This
is another attraction in the area of Huai
Nam Dang National Park. The hot spring is
two kilometres off Route 1095 at Km. 87. It
has an average temperature of 80 celcius.
Steam from the spring permeates the site in
the morning creating fascinating sights. The
area is also rich in teakwoods and suitable
for overnight camping.
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| Amphoe Pang Mapha |
| |
| Tham
Lot |
 Tham
Lot is a huge cave system once a dwelling place
of pre-historic man. Archaeologists have discovered
ancient clay pottery and a number of carved
wooden coffins inside the “rooms”
of the cave. Tham Lot is located some 77 kilometres
from town. Between Km.138 and Km.139 of Route
1095, a small roads lead to the cave after a
9-kilometre drive. Here nature has created an
exotic subterranean wonder of darkness and mystery.
A brook runs from the cave mouth through to
the other side of the mountain. It is a route
where visitors may travel by raft or by foot
to explore the 1-kilometre-long cave full of
stalactites and stalagmites. There are services
provided by villagers to guide visitors in their
exploration at 100 baht per group. Accommodation
as well as camping site is available near the
Tham Lot Nature Study Centre in front of the
cave mouth. |
| |
| Tham
Mae Lana Cave |
| Another cave in Pang Mapha
where stalactites and stalagmites can be found
is the Mae Lana Cave. The stream inside the
cave is habitat to eyeless and colorless fish
that live in dark environment. This cave is
suitable only for adventurous tourists. Travel
along Route 1095, then branch off into Route
1226 to Ban Mae Lana where a local guide is
available. Mae Lana Cave is 4 kilometers beyond
the village. |
| Amphoe Mae Sariang |
| |
| Salween
National Park |
|  Covering
a forested area of 721 square kilometers,
the Salawin National Park is on the bank of
the Salween or Salawin River on the Thai-Myanma
border, about 164 kilometres south of Mae
Hong Son. The Salawin River originates from
Tibet before winding through China, Thailand
and Myanmar for a total distance of more than
3,000 kilometres. The river is regarded as
the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand
for a distance of 120 kilometres.
Visitors wishing to take a boat along the
river have tocontact the park headquarters
for their safety during the journey. The headquaters
also provide accommodation and other facilities.
To get to the headquarters, one can take Route
1194 from Mae Sariang district for about 4
kilometres, then turn right and continue along
a dirt road for 4 kilometres. The best time
for boat trip is from March to April when
the water level is low and sandy beaches appear.
Sceneries along the riverbanks are captivating
with forest and mountains and dotted with
small hamlets.
For more information, contact Salawin National
Park: P.O. Box 8, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son
58110.
|
| |
| Wat Chomthong |
| 1 kilometres up to a hill
near Mae Sariang district, this temple enshrines
a huge Buddha image and overlooks the beautiful
scenery of Mae Sariang.
|
| |
| Wat Kittiwong |
| This temple enshrines Lord
Buddha’s relics brought from Chiang
Mai. The door and window of the chapel are
decorated with beautiful stucco designs. |
| Amphoe Sop Moei |
| |
| Wat Kittiwong |
 Mae
Ngao River is a good water route for shooting
the rapids. Adventure travel tourists can enjoy
the unspoiled scenery along the river banks.
Services available from tour operators in Mae
Hong Son. |
| Amphoe Khun Yuam |
| |
| Bua Tong Fields at
Doi Mae U-kho |
 The
Dok Bua Tong (may be classified as wild sunflowers)
blooms during November painting the entire hilly
area of Doi Mae U-kho in brilliant yellow draw
flocks of visitors to Khun Yuam district. Camping
sites arranged during the Bua Tong Bloom Festival
is 26 kilometers from the district on Highway
No. 1263. |
| |
| Khun Yuam Indigenous
Cultural Center |
| Located at Km. 200 on Highway No. 108, the
centre has a considerable collection of Thai
Yai and other hilltribes handicrafted products.
It also displays military accessories and equipment
of the Japanese army which entered Khun Yuam
district during World War II. |
| |
| Namtok Mae Surin
National Park |
 Given
national park status in 1981, this natural wonder,
which straddles Mueang and Khun Yuam districts,
encompasses a wildlife and botanical reserve,
a huge waterfall and a spectacular terraced
mountain.
Namtok Mae Surin, its main attraction, is 37
kilometres from Khun Yuam district. It is a
huge waterfall cascading eighty meters down
below. Here camping can also be set up. |
| |
| Wat To Phae |
 This
temple is located 7 kilometres from Khun Yuam
having a large beautiful Burmese style Viharn.
According to the legend, it is said that raft
assembling people used to gather up in this
area prior to making a teak trees raft trip
to the marketing places. |
| Amphoe Muang |
|
| Ban Rak Thai |
| This village is situated 44 kilometres from
Mae Hong Son via Pha Suea Waterfall near the
Thai-Myanma border. Founded by Kuomintang Chinese
soldiers, the village is famous for its breathtaking
views and tea cultivation. Visitors can see
how the tea is grown and harvested and taste
some delicious U-long tea. An annual Tea Tasting
Festival is held at Ban Rak Thai in February. |
| |
| Morning Market |
| Near Wat Hua Wiang on Sihanatbamrung Road,
this lively market is crowded from early morning
till 9 am. It is where visitors can see people
lifestyle and buy various local food and produces. |
| |
| Pha Bong Hot Springs |
| Covering an area of 3 acres, Pha Bong Hot
Spring is located about 11 kilometres from town
on Highway No.108. There are facilities for
mineral water bath for health purpose. |
| |
| Phraya Singhanatracha
Memorial |
 Situated
at the foot of Doi Kong Mu, this monument commemorates
the first governor of Mae Hong Son. Phraya Singhanatracha
is a Thai Yai native from Burma (Myanmar). He
was regarded by the people as the governor of
Khun Yuam Town, which was to the south of Mae
Hong Son. Later, he was officially installed
as the governor of Mae Hong Son by the King
of Lanna in 1874. |
| |
| Phu Khlon Health
Treatment |
| At Phu Klon Country Club (Tel: 0 1473 8013),
natural black mud which has skin care and therapeutic
benefits has been discovered. Now the area is
developed to be a spa resort. To get there,
you can travel 6 kilometres from town on Route
1095 (Mae Hong Son-Pai), then turn left into
Ban Kong Mai Sak – Ban Huai Khan Road
and continue for 4 kilometres. |
| |
| Tham Pla –
Pha Suea National Park |
 This
comprises the following attractions:
Tham Pla - About 17 kilometres from town on
Highway No. 1095 (Mae Hong Son-Pai), Tham Pla
is a popular attraction of Mae Hong Son. The
surrounding areas are brooks and cool hilly
forests suitable for relaxation. A special feature
is the hollow cave filled with numerous freshwater
fish known as Pla Mung or Pla Khang, which is
of the same family as the carp. The fish are
quite safe from being caught as they are believed
to belong to the gods.
Namtok Pha Suea - This waterfall is in Tambon
Mokchampae about 26 kilometres from the provincial
seat on Route 1095 to Pai district with a left
turn at Km. 191. It is a large fall with its
water source in Myanmar and runs full during
the late rainy season (August-September).
Pang Tong Royal Pavilion - This is a hilltop
pavilion at Ban Mokchampae, some 5 kilometres
beyond Pha Suea Waterfall. It is open every
day from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. |
| |
| Wat Chong Kham |
| This is an old temple on the bank of the swamp
Nong Chong Kham. It was built in 1827 by Thai
Yai artisans. The pillars are gilded in golden
flakes. The temple houses a large Buddha statue
with a lap width of 4.85 metres cast by Burmese
craftsmen. Another staue is a replica of the
Buddha image in Wat Suthat in Bangkok. |
| |
| Wat Chong Klang |
 Next
to Wat Chong Kham is Wat Chong Klang where a
replica of the Phra Phuttha Sihing is installed
on an altar. There are several interesting items
such as wooden figurines of human and animals
depicted in the Phra Vejsandon Jakata (pronounced
Cha-dok which means one of odd stories of former
incarnations of the Buddha) created by Burmese
craftsmen and brought over in 1857, painting
on glass about the Jakata and on Prince Siddhartha,
as well as on the ways of life of the time.
The captions are in Burmese. There are also
notations that the paintings were by Thai Yai
artisans from Mandalay. |
| |
| Wat Hua Wiang |
 Another
name is Wat Klang Mueang. This temple is on
Sihanatbamrung Road next to the morning market.
Built in 1863, the temple houses the Phra Chao
Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha statue dressed in beautiful
attire. It is a replica of a major statue in
Mandalay, Myanmar. |
| |
| Wat Kam Ko |
| Opposite Wat Phra Non, Wat Kam Ko is a Burmese-style
temple built in 1890. A special architectural
feature is the cover over the passageway from
the entrance arch to the chapel. It also stores
text in Thai Yai script chronicling the Thai
Yai history. |
| |
| Wat Phra Non |
| This temple at the foot of Doi Kong Mu houses
a 12-metre long reclining Buddha image in the
Thai Yai style. The image was cast in 1875 by
Phranang Miah, the wife of Phraya Singhanatracha.
Another main feature of the temple is the two
large sculpted lions lying side by side, presumably
providing the passage for those going up to
pay homage to the Holy Relic on the hill. |
| |
| Wat Phra That Doi
Kong Mu |
| Erected by the first governor of Mae Hong
Son, this temple reflects the strong influence
of the Burmese. The highlights of this attraction
are the two lavishly decorated pagodas. Also,
this hilltop temple affords an exceptional aerial
view of the city and surrounding mountains and
valleys. |
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