Mae Hong Son

Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions in Mae Hong Son

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 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.

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.

Mae Ngao River
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. 

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.

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.  

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. 

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 persons stride or as wide as an elephant or ox cart.

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.


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. 

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