Mae Hong Son

Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 statue is a replica of the Buddha image in Wat Suthat in Bangkok.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

Ban Rak Thai

This village is situated 44 kilometres from Mae Hong Son via Pha Suea Waterfall near the Thai-Myanmar 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.

Wat Kittiwong

This temple enshrines Lord Buddhas' relics brought from Chiang Mai.  The door and window of the chapel are decorated with beautiful stucco designs.

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