|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
This temple enshrines Lord Buddhas' relics brought
from Chiang Mai. The door and window of the chapel are decorated with
beautiful stucco designs.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Covering an area
of 721 square Kilometres the Salawin National Park
is on the bank of the Salawin river on the Thai-Burmese
border about 164 kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. Transport
can be hired to travel to Mae Sam Laep village and proceed
on hired boat to reach the park headquarters. Scenery along
the Salawin banks is captivating with forest and mountains
and dotted with small hamlets. On the sandy beach in front
of the headquarters camping is permitted.
|
|
|
The Dok Bua Tong
on Doi Mae U-kho blooms during November painting
the entire Khum Yuam district in brilliant yellow drawing
flocks of visitors to the area. A camping site is located
about 26 kilometres from the district town on Highway No
1263. A little further on is a huge waterfall, the Mae Surin
cascading one hundred metres down below. Here camping can
also be set up.
|
|
|
is located 7 kilometres from Khun Yuam having a large beautiful
Burmese-style Wihan. 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.
|
|
|
located at Km. 200 on Highway
No 108 has a considerable collection of Thai Yai and other
hilltribes handcrafted products. lt also displays military
accessories and equipment of the Japanese army which entered
Khun Yuam district during World War ll.
|
|
|
two kilometres off Route 1095 at KM. Marker
87, has an average temperature of Celsius. Steam from the
spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating
sights. The area is also rich in teak woods and suitable
for overnight camping.
|
|
|
At Km. 65 on
the Pai-Mae Malai route (No. 1095), there is a turning leading
to the headquarters of the Huai Nam Dang National Park.
Visitors can spend the night in tents to wait for the spectacular
views of sunrise and mist-shrouded mountain views in the
morning. Cherry blossom during January adds charms to the
attraction.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
is an exciting and delightful recreation.
Mae Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son originating
from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district
of the province and eventually joins the Salawin river in
Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average
depth of some 7 metres, the river bed 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 are also able to provide
elephant rides. The best time for rafting is from October
to March.
|
|
|
Another site
where stalactite and stalagmites can be found is the Mae
Lana Cave. The stream inside the cave is habitat to
eyeless and colourless fish that live in a dark environment.
|
|
|
is situated in a forest in Pang
Mapha district some 77 kilometres from town. 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 along which can be found beautiful stalactites and
stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains
of utensils and coffins. There are services provided by
villagers to guide visitors in their exploration.
|
|
|
is in Tambon Mo Champae about 17
kilometres from the provincial seat on Route 1095 to Pai
district with a left turn at Ban Rak Thai village. The waterfall
is a further twenty kilometres from the village. It is a
large fall with its water source in Myanmar. Pha Sua runs
full during the late rainy season (August-September).
Another five kilometres further on along the path to high
hill are the hilltribe village of Na Pa Paek and Mae Or
on the Thai-Burmese border.
|
|
|
is located on Highway No.108,
about 11 kilometres from town. There are facilities for
mineral water bath for health purpose.
About 17 kilometres from town on Highway No. 1095 (Mea
Hong Son-Pai) is Tham Pla Forest Park The surrounding
areas are books and cool hilly forests suitable for relaxation.
A special feature is the hollow cave filled with fish fish.
The fish are quite safe from being caught as believed to
belong to the goods.
|
|
|
Next to Wat Chong Kham is Wat Chong Klang where
a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing 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, paintings on glass about the Jakata
and on Prince 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.
|
|
|
An old temple, Wat Chong Kham is located on the
bank of the swamp Nong Chong Kham and 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. The principal
statue is another statue which is a replica of the statue
in Wat Suthat in Bangkok.
|
|
|
or Wat Klang Muang on Sihanat Bamrung
Road next to the Morning Market was built in 1863. It houses
the Phra Chao Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha statue dressed in
beautiful attire. It is a replica of a major statue in Mandalay,
Myanmar.
|
|
|
Opposite Wat Phra Non is Wat Kam Ko an old temple
built in 1890. A special architectural feature is the cover
over the entrance arch to the Burmese-style Wihan. It also
stores text in Thai Yai script chronicling the Thai Yai
history.
|
|
|
At the foot of Doi Kong Mu is Wat Phra Non which
houses a 12-metre long Reclining Buddha in the Thai Yai
style cast in 1875 by Phra Nang Miah, wife of Phraya Sihanatracha.
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 Kong Mu Holy Relic
on the hill.
|
|
|
located on a hill to the west of town, is a major provincial landmark. There are two Burmese-style Chedis. The larger one was built in 1860 while the smaller one was erected in 1874. A panoramic view of Mae Hong Son can be enjoyed from the site.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Although a part of
the Lanna region, indigenous Thai Yai or Tai people living
there are faced with very cold weather during winter and
extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically
throughout the whole year.
|
|
