Mae Hong Son

Things to see and do

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu

This hilltop wat is better regarded for its splendid views over the surrounds rather than the actual building. Constructed in the early 19th century, the Burmese-style temple includes two chedis containing the ashes of a couple of well-regarded Shan monks. Get up here at dawn to see Mae Hong Son ... read more
Wat Jong Klang and Wat Jong Kham

The twin wats of Wat Jong Klang and Jong Kham and their reflections on Jong Kham lake form the classic Mae Hong Son photo. The brilliant white and golden chedis mesh with the green roofs and their yellow edgings to form a glistening mirage across the surface of the lake, broken only by the lake's ... read more
Tham Pla Forest Park

Tham Pla (Cave Fish) Forest Park is around 17km from Mae Hong Son on the road to Pai. It's a very pleasant little spot with the river in the cave feeding a number of creeks that run through the grounds. The main attraction is the fish cave, packed with Phluang fish. These fish are similar to carp ... read more
Sunday Market

If you are in Mae Hong Son on a Sunday morning, practise your bargaining skills at the market, located on the right along the road to Mae Sariang, before Rooks Resort. All the locals shop there for household goods and clothes. If you look hard enough you can find T-shirts with English phrases like ... read more
Mud Spa, Hot Springs and Golf Driving Range

The owner of a property to the north of Mae Hong Son has discovered supposedly health giving mud on his land. It is not clear exactly where the mud itself comes from, as it is found only in large terracotta pots beside a large natural hot spring pool. Photos show people lathering themselves from ... read more
Visiting the Kayan (Long-neck) people

The Long-neck women are one of the main reasons tourists come to Mae Hong Son. These refugees from Burma's Karenni state, located just over the border from Mae Hong Son, are called Padaung in Burmese, but this is also an inappropriate label because the Burmese are an occupying army in the state. In ... read more
Day Tours

Everywhere you look in Mae Hong Son someone is promoting tours taking in the surrounding scenery. One of the most popular places to visit are the so-called Long-neck villages, but other stops include combinations of Tham Lod near Soppong, Fish Cave, Mae Aw village, Mae Surin waterfall, local ... read more
Night Market

When darkness falls, Sinhanat Bamrung Rd is blocked off to through traffic and stalls are set up to create a lively night market. A number of different ethnic minorities are represented, including Lisu and Hmong, and items for sale range from clothing to embroidered bags to sesame oil products. At ... read more
Rafting trips

Rafting trips can be arranged to a variety of locations in Mae Hong Son including up towards Pai or west to the Burmese border. The best place to attempt to organise a trip is Ban Huey Deua, 8km to the southwest of town. From here a day trip will cost 400 to 500B per person. Longer and more ... read more
Boat trips

In Baan Toong Bang Moo, on the edge of the Ping River, there is a small sala where elderly boat men sit and wait for business. They can take you either bamboo rafting or on a ride in a wooden speedboat along the picturesque river. The going price is 450B per hour per vehicle, including the boat ... read more
Trekking

Trekking is a major attraction in Mae Hong Son, and can be done as part of a day tour for a few hours or for a full day or longer. Longer treks will take you into the mountains towards the Burmese border, where you will visit Karen and Lisu villages. Generally you need a minimum of two people for a ... read more
Wat Phra Non

This small wat sits at the base of Doi Kong Mu and houses a 12m-long reclining Buddha. Dating back to 1875, it was cast on the request of the wife of the first governor of Mae Hong Son. The two stone lions that lay together are thought to help provide safe passage for those paying homage to the ... read more