Surrounded by forested mountains and with a remote and pretty setting by a tranquil lake, Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน) fits many travelers’ preconceived notions of how a Northern Thai town should look. A palpable influence from Myanmar and a frontier-settlement feel don’t clash with this image and, best of all, there’s hardly a túk-túk or tout to be seen. This doesn’t mean Mae Hong Son is uncharted territory – tour groups have been coming here for years – but the city is far more laid-back than Pai, while its potential as a base for activities, from boat trips to trekking, ensures that your visit can be quite unlike anyone else’s.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mae Hong Son.
Buddhist Temple
Climb the hill west of town, Doi Kong Mu (1500m), to visit this temple compound, also known as Wat Plai Doi. Two Shan chedi, erected in 1860 and 1874, enshrine the ashes of monks from Myanmar’s Shan State. Around the back of the wát you can see a tall, slender, standing Buddha and catch views west of the ridge. There’s also a cafe and a small tourist market.
Buddhist Temple
Wat Jong Klang houses century-old glass Jataka paintings and a museum with 150-year-old wooden dolls from Myanmar that depict some of the agonies of the wheel of life. The temple is lit at night and is reflected in Nong Jong Kham – a popular photo op for visitors. Wat Jong Klang has several areas that women are forbidden to enter – not unusual for Burmese-Shan Buddhist temples.
Buddhist Temple
This wát, just west of Mae Hong Son’s morning market, is recognised for its bòht (chapel), boasting an elaborate tiered wooden roof and a revered bronze Buddha statue from Mandalay (Myanmar).
Nature Reserve
The most touted attraction of this national park is Tham Pla (Fish Cave), a water-filled cavern where hundreds of soro brook carp thrive. A 450m path leads from the park entrance to a suspension bridge that crosses a stream and continues to the cave. The park is 16km north of Mae Hong Son and can be reached by hopping on any northbound minivan. Guesthouses will arrange transport for 1000B.
Museum
This museum in Wat Jong Klang houses 150-year-old wooden dolls from Mandalay, some of which depict the more gruesome aspects of the wheel of life.
Buddhist Temple
Next door to Wat Jong Klang, this temple was built nearly 200 years ago by Thai Yai (Shan) people, who make up about half of the population of Mae Hong Son Province.