Mae Hong Son is the capital of the westernmost and sparsely populated province of Thailand. Thailand mae hong son

Located at the foot of the most beautiful mountains, a small but picturesque provincial town Mae Hong Son(Mae Nong Son) has long been one of the favorite tourist destinations in northern Thailand. "The Land of Three Mists" is an excellent place for an excursion holiday. Buddhist temples in Burmese style, National parks, wooden houses and a sea of ​​souvenir shops located in the city will help you plunge into the unique atmosphere of Thailand.

How to get to Mae Hong Son
The most convenient way to get to Mae Hong Son province is by plane. The city has a small airport that accepts flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Nok Air offers flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son twice a day, travel time is 40 minutes, airfare is 900 baht. PB Air flies direct from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son for 2,370 baht. The company's office is located in Suvarnabhumi.

Thai Airways flies to the city four times a day from Chiang Mai, the ticket costs 1,270 baht, and travel time is only 35 minutes. The company's office is also located at Bangkok Airport and is open from 8.30 to 17.30.

By bus
The northern route from Chiang Mai passes through the small town of Pai. The distance is approximately 270 kilometers, travel time by bus is about 8 hours. The cost of an air-conditioned bus is 200 baht. Buses towards Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai depart five times a day from 6.30 - 21.00. The southern route runs through Maesariang, the journey takes about 9 hours, and the ticket costs approximately 337 baht. The second road is much more convenient and picturesque than the first. Wide and comfortable buses stop every two hours for a ten-minute break. The northern road is quite narrow and winding, and was built during the Second World War. Small buses plying this route are always crowded.

Climate of Mae Hong Son
Before heading to Mae Hong Son, you need to make sure that the rainy season has passed. In August - September, during heavy rainfall, streets and roads turn into mud flows, unsuitable for movement.

Tropical heat comes to this part of the country from March to April. The temperature stays around + 40.

The best time to enjoy the nature of Mae Hong Son is during the cooler months - from November to March. But you need to remember that in winter the temperature drops to 0 degrees: a warm sweater will come in handy.

Hotels in Mae Hong Son
Hotels and inns, modest bungalows and camping in Mae Hong Son are not difficult to find. The city's infrastructure allows you to choose a place to suit your taste. Located in the city center, close to local attractions, the Riverhouse Resort 3* hotel offers 44 comfortable rooms with all amenities and wireless Internet.

The non-smoking Rooks Holiday Hotel And Resort 3.5* is located in the city with a picturesque view of the river. The hotel is well suited for business trips: comfortable conference rooms, high-speed Internet access, restaurants and bars. The hotels also have an outdoor swimming pool and garden.

The Fern Resort 2* hotel offers a full range of modern amenities. Comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a spa salon, a swimming pool and, of course, hospitable service - all this will make your vacation unforgettable.

Cuisine and restaurants of Mae Hong Son
Spices, various ingredients and, of course, rice are all essential components of Thai dishes. However, each region has its own “culinary characteristics”.

The northern part of Thailand is famous for its pork curry, meat broth and egg noodles. However, the curry here is not as spicy as, say, in the south, and the rice used is mostly sticky.

The Fern is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the city. The rich menu offers you to taste not only traditional Thai dishes, but also local and Spanish cuisine. Service and live music will help you have a good time.

On the main street, the Kai Mook restaurant is located in the open air. The cheerful atmosphere and varied menu will not leave anyone indifferent. Dishes worth trying include dom yam with fish, khao soy or fried boar with spices and curry.

Excellent combination of price and quality - Salween River Restaurant. Here you can enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee, try local sweets or dine on Western cuisine. Don’t forget about the city’s bustling markets, which offer tourists delicious pastries and dance and music shows.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Mae Hong Son
One of the most striking attractions of the city is the Wat Chong Kham temple, located on the shores of Chong Kham Lake. The architecture of the building is distinguished by its unique roof and ancient wall paintings depicting scenes from the life of the deity.

To the west of the city, on the top of a hill, there is another temple, Wat Phra That Doi Kung Mu, with a unique Buddha statue made of white marble. You can climb the hill by car or take a 15-minute walk, enjoying fresh air and the picturesque surroundings of this place. Opposite the temple there is a small park and an observation deck overlooking the city.

In the suburbs of Mae Hong Son there is the village of Huay Sua Tow, where representatives of the ancient Kayan family live. It is very easy to distinguish the women of this tribe: from the age of nine until marriage, girls wear one ring on their neck per year, 1.5 cm wide. In addition, in the vicinity of the city there is an “elephant village”. Here you can not only take photos with the locals, but also ride these majestic animals for a small fee.

Nature lovers should visit the national parks of Mae Hong Son. In Tham Pla National Park there is a unique “fish cave”. Here you can see millions of tiny colorful fish, and in a small grotto opposite there are snails of various colors and sizes. Another national park Namtok Mae Surin is famous for its waterfall and caves.

(Mae Hong Son) is a small and picturesque city in Northern Thailand and the capital of the province of the same name, the most northwestern in the Kingdom of Thailand. It is located on a small plain surrounded by mountains, and the famous mountain road 1095 leads to it from Chiang Mai with a complex serpentine road, which has as many as 1864 turns!

We have been to Mae Hong Son many times - in different time, in the high and dry seasons and even in the rainy season, while living in the town of Pai. And every time Mae Hong Son seemed very beautiful. Mae Hong Son can be called the Thai Switzerland: a cozy town with a relaxed atmosphere on a lake among mountains and nature with many beautiful temples and natural attractions. And here live the mountain tribes of Thailand - the Red Karens (Kayan), for example, or the Shans.

In this article I will talk in detail about what the city of Mae Hong Son in northern Thailand is like, how to get there, what to see (I will describe in detail all the temples of Mae Hong Son) and where to stay overnight.

It is the capital of the province of the same name in the north-west of Thailand and is located in a small mountain valley 260 km from and 863 kilometers north of Bangkok, at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level. Numerous jungle-covered Shan mountains and hills (up to 1,500 meters high) surround this small town. Just a few kilometers from Mae Hong Son lies the border with. The population of Mae Hong Son city is only about 6,000 people, and most of those living in it are ethnic Shan people (from the Shan province in Myanmar).

Mae Hong Son city although larger than the neighboring village, which is a very popular village among Thais, Chinese and foreign farangs, it is less popular among tourists due to its distance from the northern capital of Thailand. To get to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai, you need to spend half a day on the road. Therefore, it does not receive as much attention as its more famous neighbor.

• You can also fly from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son by plane. It's better to look at air tickets

Mae Hon Son is more picturesque in appearance due to the fact that the valley in which it is located is much narrower than the Pai valley, and Pai is more stretched in width. Mahon Son is assembled in a single cauldron, in the center of which is the picturesque lake Chong Kham, and from one of the mountains the Burmese temple Wat Pratat Doi Kung Mu looks out over the city.

Typical Mae Hong Son street - teak houses and almost no traffic

And here is the main street of Mae Hong Son

Weather in Mae Hong Son

Despite the fact that Mahon Son is located in the north of Thailand, it has a tropical climate. The weather in Mae Hong Son sometimes brings surprises due to the influence of the mountains - it is usually hot in summer and cold in winter. It was here that the temperature record for Thailand was recorded (+ 44.6°C). The air temperature in winter can drop to +13°C, and in the mountains it is often around zero..

By the way, be sure to take warm clothes with you during the winter months when Mae Hong Son is in high tourist season (November to January) to avoid freezing. At this time there is literally no crowd here (by local standards). Many Thais from the southern regions of the country prefer to come here for New Year and enjoy the coolness. By the way, they also like to travel to the province of Loy, also just for the coolness.

A traditional umbrella will help you hide from the heat of Mae Hong Son

Road to Mae Hong Son - Route 1095

In addition, Mae Hong Son is located on the so-called ring route(Mae Hong Son Loop) in Northern Thailand, which leads from Chiang Mai to all the attractions of the province of Mae Hong Son and a little Chiang Mai and returns to the starting point. The route is convenient for travelers: you can rent a car or motorbike in Chiang Mai and return it to the same place after sightseeing.

• Read about our experience and information to better prepare for your trip.

Mae Hong Son on the map of Thailand

Legend on the map:

• burgundy markers– airport and bus station in Mae Hong Son
• blue markers– attractions in Mae Hong Son
• green markers– attractions in Mae Hong Son province near the city
• orange markers– good hotels in Mae Hong Son and Ban Rak Thai

As you can see from the map, the city of Mae Hong Son itself is quite small. There is a gate to the city on the highway, and within a few minutes of passing through it you can find yourself in the very center, by the large lake. The main road passes by the most famous temple on the mountain, Wat Pratat Doi Kung Mu, and then exits on the other side of the city, turning into Route 108, which goes first to the city of Mae Sariang and then to Chiang Mai.

From the main street next to the post office there is a small alley that leads into the heart of Mae Hong Son town. And there, in the very center, is the beautiful Chong Kham Lake, around which there is a park and a pedestrian area. On the shore there are the temples of Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang, and in the evenings there is a walking street and a market where you can buy a variety of food, clothing and souvenirs from the hill tribes.

A beautiful detail of the design of one of the restaurants

Mae Hong Son has many shops, restaurants for both Thais and farangs. Although, of course, not as much as in Chiang Mai or Pai. A large number of hotels and guesthouses are also concentrated in the area around Chong Kham Lake. In general, all life is in full swing there. There is a post office, a market, and several churches. Traditional teak houses coexist quite organically with modern concrete buildings.

Overall, we got the impression that Mae Hong Son is a quiet and provincial town, somewhat reminiscent of, with its own unique atmosphere of leisurely and contemplative. You can easily get around all its attractions on foot; even the temple on the mountain can be climbed quite easily by stairs.

An independent traveler will need about a day to explore Mae Hong Son. This is if you are not in a hurry. Those who just want to stop by for a while usually stay in the city center by the lake and then walk up the hill of Wat Pratat Doi Kung Mu to see the city from above. By the way, a beautiful panorama opens from the territory of this temple, and in sunny weather the entire city is visible at a glance, including the elongated Mae Hong Son Airport.

But personally, I really love Mae Hong Son and therefore love to come here whenever possible. Moreover, this particular city can be used as a base for forays into the surrounding area. A lot of interesting things are concentrated in Northern Thailand, near the border with Burma. Mountain tribes, caves, waterfalls, hot springs and so on - all this will definitely be interesting to see for every tourist. And now I’ll tell you about what you can see in Mae Hong Son and why you should come here.

Sights of Mae Hong Son - what to see

The city of Mae Hong Son, although not large, has plenty of attractions. You can see all of them by walking around the city in one day. I recommend starting your tour from the lake in the city center.

Chong Kham Lake located in the center of Mae Hong Son and the entire city has grown up around it. It’s pleasant to walk here at any time of the day: from the strong sun rays you can hide in gazebos located above the water of the lake (as in the USA). In the evening, the embankment is illuminated, and next to it there is a night market, where you can eat or buy souvenirs and clothing in the style of the hill tribes of Thailand and Burma.

It is also customary to feed the fish at Chong Kham Lake. In general, the center of Mae Khon Son is similar, only there are also temples and mountain views. I advise you not to miss the opportunity to see this beauty.

It’s nice to walk around the lake and explore the nature surrounding the city

One of the gazebos where you can hide from the heat and relax

Temples Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang- these are twin temples, whose view over the lake in the very center of the city is business card Mahonson. However, Wat Chong Klang is the older brother and more interesting. If it were not for the small fountains on the lake, its surface would always be smooth, and the reflection of the temples would make it possible to take an almost perfect photograph. But Mae Hong Son slips away and leaves uncertainty.

Twin Temples on the Lake

Temple Wat Chong Kham, built in early XIX century, is the calling card of the city; it is its image that is found in most photographs by which tourists remember the city. The temple is located on the shore of a lake in the heart of Mae Hong Son. Inside the wooden building is a 5-meter tall seated Buddha. The best time to visit this temple is in February, when its gardens are in full bloom.

Wat Chong Klang located next to Wat Chong Kham. It was built in the late 19th century and features white and gold chedis, and the painted glass panels inside the temple contain scenes from fairy tales. One of the main treasures of Wat Chong Klang is the teak throne. There is a collection of wooden statues and teak dolls in the original Burmese style. Women are prohibited from entering some of the buildings of this temple.

Evening illumination at Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang temples
And this is what the temples look like in the dark because of the lake

Temple on the hill Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu

Temple on the Hill Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu became more famous among foreign tourists for its beautiful views of the city than for the beauty of its buildings. For Thais, this is undoubtedly the main temple of Mae Hong Son, in which the ashes of respected monks are kept under the White Chedi.

An ancient staircase starting from Wat Phra Non leads to the top of the hill, where the ancient temple of Doi Kong Mu is located. You can also climb there via modern stairs from the main street of the city, it is much more convenient. Many tourists climb these stairs on foot (preferably in the morning to avoid getting sick in the heat). This way you can feel like a real pilgrim and stop at observation platforms, admiring the gradually emerging view of the city.

• For those who do not want to count the steps in the heat on the way to Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu, there is the opportunity to drive in the same way as at.

Let's take a walk to the top of the hill and see why Doi Kong Mu is so interesting. It turns out that this Buddhist temple was built in the mid-19th century in the Burmese style, and its territory is not that large. See for yourself in the photo.

The White Chedi of Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu, which is why it is called the White Temple on the Hill by analogy with the temple.

During the day, from the observation deck on the temple grounds you can clearly see the airport, the lake and all the central buildings of Mae Hong Son. As well as the surrounding mountains, which surrounded the city.

Around the lake you can see two temples, the fantastic Fern restaurant building and teak houses

• Helpful advice. Keep in mind that best time To visit Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu it is early evening and early morning.

In the evening you can see how beautiful hills border the city limits. There, beyond the horizon, is a national park. Mae Hong Son himself is bathed in a ghostly haze. If you are not lazy and climb the hill before dawn, you can see a sunrise here of indescribable beauty. The city will be immersed in fog. However, we missed this, but one morning in December we looked out of our hotel window and saw the hill floating in the fog.

View of Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu from the city on an early December morning

And this is a pink sunset in the dry season from Lake Chong Kham

And on the other side there is another observation deck. There are small shopping arcades with traditional goods and jewelry. The small cafe and its terrace tables overlook the hills and offer views of Myanmar. It is very beautiful in here!

Myanmar is hidden behind the hills
You can look at the beauty while relaxing with coffee or a fruit shake

Temple Wat Phra Non is located at the foot of the hill on which Doi Kong Mu is located. The literal translation of the name is Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It was built in 1875 and was intended as a holiday home for the King of Thailand.

Wat Phra Non has a large reclining Buddha statue, 12 meters long. It was placed here in 1877 by order of King Rama V. Since then, Buddhists in Thailand have considered it a valuable relic.

Behind the temple there is an old staircase leading to Doi Kong Mu Mountain. And on both sides of the stairs there are two large ancient stone statues of lions.

The ancient staircase to the temple on the mountain begins at Wat Phra Nan

Wat Muay Tor Temple

Wat Muay Tor Temple in Mae Hong Son is located at the foot of the hill on which Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu stands. It consists of both the old historical part (ancient stupas) and modern colorful buildings. We entered its territory and took some photographs. Overall, we liked it too, despite its simplicity.

Typical Thai temple, no Burmese influence visible here
Ancient stupas stand next to the modern stairs to the temple on the mountain

Wat Kam Ko Temple

Although Wat Kam Koh Similar to most of the other temples in Mae Hong Son (it is built in the Shan style), it differs in the layout of the buildings. Thus, the entrance to the temple is made in the form of an arched pavilion with a multi-level roof, after passing through which you will find yourself in a fairly compact courtyard of the temple.

Wat Kam Ko was built at the end of the 19th century. It is located opposite Wat Phra Non temple. Inside are historical Thai books telling the history of the Shan people and their king Anoratha Mangcho, translated into Thai by the famous monk Phra Maha Bunrak Supayo.

Lions guard the entrance to Wat Kam Ko

Wat Hua Wiang Temple

Temple Wat Hua Viang, built from teak in 1863, is interesting because it is made in the Myanmar style with classic multi-level roofs. It is located next to the city market. This is the second temple built on the territory of Mae Hong Son.

The temple houses the Phra Chao Pla La Khang Buddha statue. This is a copy of the famous Mahamuni Buddha, who is now in the city (Myanmar). To transport it to Thailand in 1932 along the Pai River, the statue had to be sawn into nine pieces and then reassembled. It is interesting that the original Mahamuni Buddha, located in Mandalay, was also brought there from afar - from the Arakan kingdom () after its conquest by the Burmese.

White and gold chedi

What else to do in Mae Hong Son

• Tracking extremely popular in Mae Hong Son. You can explore the hills surrounding the city and visit the hill tribes either on your own or by asking about organizing a tour at your hotel. Usually the tour costs 1300-1500 baht. Trekking can also be varied - for half a day, a day or a couple of days.
• Bamboo Bridge 900 meters long is located 15 km north of Mae Hong Son in the village of Ban Kung Mai Sak on the road to Ban Rak Tai. The bridge is surrounded by rice fields, and next to it stands the Wat Pu Sama temple. It is much smaller than the longest teak (Myanmar), but the general tradition is felt.
• Mud baths and spas- Phu Klon Mud Spa - located on the road to Ban Rak Thai. Spa lovers will enjoy rejuvenating and relaxing. The procedures cost about 1,500 baht for an hour and a half.
• Pa Bong Hot Springs(Pha Bong) at the exit of the city 12 km towards Khun Yuam. These well-equipped springs operate only during the high season (November-January), and are abandoned the rest of the time.

History of Mae Hong Son Province

It was interesting to know that until the end of the 19th century, Mae Hong Son was generally the territory of Burma (or rather, Shan lands). And only as a result of the Anglo-Burman wars, the Mae Hong Son province became part of Siam, and the land on the eastern bank of the Salween River remained with Burma. We've been to it - now it's turned into a huge outlet for the transport of goods that travel from Thailand to Myanmar, and teak trees and leaves come back.

Second World War, during which the Japanese assigned the city of Mae Hong Son the role of an outpost for an attack on Burma, finally set the boundaries between the states, assigning Mae Hong Son to Thailand. Although he also laid claim to other territories beyond the Salween River. And now there are many separated families or tribes living in Northern Thailand.

Shan refugees

The first governor of Mahonson was Phraya Singhanath Raya. By origin he was from the Shan peoples

Many Shan refugees seek political asylum in Thailand and live for years in reservations along the borders in rather dire conditions without the right to move beyond their assigned village. And the Red Karens (or Kayan tribe), who fought the Burmese government for independence in the late 50s, also settled in the north of Thailand and are awaiting their fate. The Thai government saw some benefit in exotic long-necked women and began promoting tourism to the hill tribes. Then some villages were moved to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, closer to tourists.

Villages of long-necked women with rings in Northern Thailand

In my opinion, visiting the hill tribes is more like a human zoo. Profits from the visit to the village are made by the Thai police, a specific Thai businessman who took the village under his patronage, and the Karen Army. However, there are several more in Mae Hong Son where there is no entrance fee (there is a donation, but this voluntary donation goes towards the development of the village). You can also help residents by buying textiles or silver and other souvenirs from them.

Burmese style

The province's Burmese heritage is immediately felt - most of the temples in Mae Hong Son and the surrounding area have typical Burmese-style roofs with silver edging. These details cannot be confused with anything! We've seen similar ones. And in general, Mae Hong Son (and Pai too!) is very similar to the Shan territories in Myanmar, for example, the mecca of Burmese tea and trekking -. Or I even thought about what Mahonson would have looked like (even though it does not belong to the Shan lands) if it had not grown to such gigantic proportions.

From opium cultivation to tea cultivation

Mae Hong Son used to be one of the most remote cities, and even in the 20th century, unwanted officials were exiled here - to Mae Hong Son, to Siberia! This meant that a person’s life was essentially ending, his connection with the world was severed. Before the construction of a good road from Chiang Mai in the late 1980s, during the rainy season Mae Hong Son could only be reached by flying over the mountains. In those distant times, these territories, as well as the Pai Valley and some other regions in the northeast of Thailand, such as or were used for growing opium. But now these are completely safe tourist areas for lovers of trekking and a quiet atmosphere in the mountains. And by the way, tea is also grown here now, for example, in the mountain village of Ban Rak Tai (Mae Au).

Mae Hong Son is located in the far north of Thailand, and traveling there is not easy. However, there are several ways to get there:

• By bus you can come to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai (stopping at Pai on the way). The bus ride takes a very long time, 7-8 hours, the price is about 150 baht. The buses are quite old and can even stop at one of the turns of the serpentine road. You can get from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son with a transfer in Chiang Mai. The whole journey will take 15 hours, ticket price is about 1000 baht. The bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai departs from Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal. Local buses from Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang leave in the morning and cost 100 baht.
• By minivan you can get to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai with a stop in Pai. Minibuses depart from Arcade Bus Station. This is a much more convenient and faster option - 5-6 hours on the road with a ticket price of 250 baht. Along the way, the minibus stops for a rest and a snack in local cafes.
• By car or motorbike. Mae Hong Son is located on highway 1095, which is where you have to travel 260 km from Chiang Mai. Route 108 leads from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son, and its quality is noticeably worse. The distance between MHS and Bangkok is 925 km, and first you need to get to Chiang Mai along Route 11.
• By plane. You can fly to Mae Hong Son using two airlines.
  Bangkok Airways flies to Mae Hong Son daily, cheap flights can be bought at this link →
  Kan Air operates flights from Chiang Mai every day. For details, see the official website →
• By train You can't get to Mae Hong Son. The nearest railway station is Chiang Mai, where you can arrive from Bangkok, and then go to Mae Hong Son by minibus.

Our travel experience in Mae Hong Son

We traveled to Mae Hong Son several times by car and motorbike, as well as by minivan. The road to Mae Hong Son is mountainous and has many turns and ups and downs. Therefore, you need to be careful and not lose your vigilance, and also, if possible, let locals pass on a narrow road and not chase after them. After all, they know this road and all its 1864 turns like the back of their hand since childhood. And even with them sometimes accidents happen.

Mae Hong Son bus station is located 1.5 km from the city center, in the western part. There you can take a tuk-tuk to the center. Usually the tukers get impudent and ask for 100 baht, although the ride is only a couple of minutes. I don't recommend paying more than 50 baht. If you are light, you can walk and at the same time see the city. 10 minutes main road, and now you are in the very center!

Hotels in Mae Hong Son - where to stay

Carved teak furniture from our favorite hotel BoonDee House

There are a lot of hotels in the provincial capital of Mae Hong Son, and they are all different - good ones are more expensive and cheaper ones are simpler. You can come and choose on the spot, walking around the lake and along the adjacent streets. Or you can order in advance. It is most convenient to live by the lake - close to restaurants and shops, as well as close to all city attractions. For those wishing to relax in silence, I advise you to choose a resort in nature for secluded relaxation.

To better experience the atmosphere of the city of Mae Hong Son, I recommend checking into one of the boutique hotels in buildings built from teak wood. These are traditional buildings in the north of Thailand and are the best places to cope with the heat.

Here are very good hotels in Mae Hong Son:

• We usually stay in the same hotel with a very friendly host. This teak house is located very close to the city center and the lake, there is a large parking lot nearby, and the building itself has a convenient common area for drinking tea. I recommend - Boondee House >>
• The best best hotel in Mae Hong Son is located in nature among the hills with beautiful grounds and a swimming pool. The houses are cozy and spacious, in Shan style. You will have a good impression and pleasant memories of your time in Northern Thailand. The hotel organizes a free transfer from the airport and from the bus station. The price includes breakfast. Fern Resort Mae Hong Son >>

What else you need to know about Mae Hong Son province in Northern Thailand

Mae Hong Son province is very rich in attractions. Here I will only talk about those that are in close proximity to Mae Hong Son. To get to them, you need to book a tour or drive yourself.

• Tampla(Tham Pla, or Fish Cave, Fish Cave) is a nice park built around a cave. Here you can also look at the way of rural life.
• (Ban Ruk Thai) is a tea village with a colorful lake and the opportunity to taste and buy Thai tea (oolong and others).
• (Pha Sua Falls) is considered the most beautiful in the province. There are small trekking paths around it.
• Pang Ung(Pang Ung, Ruam Thai) is a Shan village, sometimes called the Switzerland of Thailand.
• Car rental in Thailand- find and book a car for a trip around Thailand
• Good - from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (all attractions along the way)

Mae Hong Son (you can also find the names Mae Hong Son and Mae Hong Son, English: Mae Hong Son) is the capital of the province of the same name, which is located in the north of Thailand and borders Myanmar (Burma). Located 920 km from Bangkok, 113 km from Pai, in a picturesque valley, among high hills covered with vegetation.

The city is small, it is quite possible to get around it on foot in a few hours. The buildings are predominantly wooden, 2-3-storey buildings. There are no high-rise buildings. There is little traffic. It doesn’t look at all like a provincial capital, but more like a modest, run-of-the-mill town with not even a dozen streets.

Mae Hong Son on the map of Thailand

Story

The history of Mae Hong Son goes back more than one century. It is not known for certain when the first people appeared in this territory. Archaeological evidence shows that there were small settlements here as early as a thousand years ago. Several centuries ago, temples were built, next to which a village appeared. These places were quite famous - valuable teak wood was mined here and elephant hunting was organized. Elephant hunters gave the name to this area about 200 years ago. First it was Mae Sa Rong, and after Mae Hong Son. In 1866, Chan Ka Lay, who came from the Shan people and was born in Myanmar, became the head of the village.

In 1874, King Indavijanon of Chiang Mai received information about a small village located near the border with Myanmar. Since in those days Thailand often waged wars with this country, the king decided to make Mae Hong Son his strategic point, guarding the border from uninvited guests. He built a large fortress here, around which the town subsequently grew (the fortress no longer exists today). The head was still Chan Ka Lay, whom the king officially appointed as governor and gave him a new name - Paya Singhanath Racha.

In the 20th century, when the wars subsided, the city ceased to be an important strategic site. Since he was “on the outskirts”, in the mountains, where for many hundreds of kilometers there was no big cities, then people who were disliked by the authorities began to be exiled here (meaning officials, not murderers and thieves).

For many years, Mae Hong Son was closed to tourists for a very simple reason - there was no normal road to get here, especially during the rainy season, when everything was washed away. By the end of the 20th century, a good asphalt road was built connecting the city with Chiang Mai. An airport was also built. Since then, tourists began to come here, for whom hotels were built both in Mae Hong Son itself and in its picturesque surroundings. Usually they are 1-2 buildings with several floors. Sometimes - detached bungalow houses (outside the city). The cost of living varies - there are guesthouses for 200 baht per day, and there are more serious offers for 1000-2000 baht.

How to get to Mae Hong Son

There is no airport in the city; the nearest large one is in Chiang Mai, where a large number of domestic flights are available.

Cheap flights to Thailand

You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

Who should go to Mae Hong Son

Mae Hong Son is perfect for a relaxing and leisurely holiday. In addition, if you rent a motorbike (200 baht), you can travel around the surrounding area and admire the very beautiful landscapes. But the city itself is also beautiful - there is a large lake and river. From the observation deck in the temple there is an excellent panorama.

Mae Hong Son can offer inexpensive accommodation, sufficient quantity restaurants and bars (most of them are located on Khunlumprapas Rd in the city center), small shops, a market, several motorbike and bicycle rentals, massage parlors. Some bars offer live music in the evenings. Restaurants and cafes offer Thai, Chinese and international cuisine. There are banks (after all, this is the capital of the province). And here nightlife There are no discos or Go Go bars.

What to do and what to visit

We recommend coming to Mae Hong Son for a few days to have time to explore the city and surrounding attractions. Urban - you can visit on foot in 1 day, but for the rest it is better to book an excursion at one of the local travel agencies. The most popular of these are trips to hill tribe villages and national parks. In the city itself, the temple on the mountain and the observation deck next to it, as well as 2 temples next to the lake, are of undoubted interest.

Large shopping centers There are no hypermarkets like Big C and Tesco Lotus in the city, so shopping in Mae Hong Son is limited to the market and a few shops. The market is located on Phanitwattana Rd, next to the airport runway. Open from dawn to dusk. You can buy any food products at ridiculous prices (for example, tomatoes for 25-30 baht per kg). There are also non-food products “everything for the home”. You can also inexpensively sample local dishes at the market.

Climate

The climate in Mae Hong Son is one of the best in all of Thailand. Humidity is low compared to popular seaside resorts in the south of the country. After sunset, the air cools quite quickly, and by midnight it is below +20. Sometimes there are fogs in the mornings.

There are three seasons. From November to mid-March - cool and dry. During the day +28…+30, in the morning it can be +10…+12. There is practically no precipitation. From the end of March to June there is a dry and hot season, when daytime temperatures rise to +34...+36, and night temperatures to +18...+20. Still no rain. From June to October is the wet season. This is not the best time to visit, since precipitation occurs 4-5 times a week, and rain can ruin the entire excursion program.

The best time to travel to Mae Hong Son is from November to February, when it is cool and there is a lot of greenery (by March, due to lack of rain, the grass and leaves on the trees begin to turn yellow, which creates a slightly dull picture).

*weather data provided by World Climate Guide.

Thailand, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

general information

The city of Mae Hong Son (or, as it is called in some guidebooks, Mae Hong Son) is located near the border with Burma in the northwest of the Kingdom of Thailand. The city is the capital of the province of the same name.

Mae Hong Son is surrounded on all sides by high mountains and impenetrable jungle. But there is an airport in the city. Therefore, air communication with the city is a priority.

How to get there from Bangkok

By land transport from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son it will take more than 12 hours to travel along highway No. 105. The capital bus starts its route from the North Terminal (Moh Chit) and Chatuchak Terminal stations. Travel time - 15 hours.

You can get to the lost city by plane from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Flight time is about an hour.

Sights of Mae Hong Son city

The city of Mae Hong Son is located around the beautiful Chong Khum Lake. Near the lake many years ago the temple complex of Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Khlang was built.

In the evenings, a fair opens on the city embankment where interesting handicrafts and souvenirs are sold.

Doi Mong Khu is a Buddhist temple on the mountain with unique wall paintings. A marble statue of Buddha is kept inside the temple. From the platform in front of the temple there is a panoramic view of the city.

Not far from the city there are several national natural parks.

Where to stay in Mae Hong Son?

You have at least two options for finding accommodation in Mae Hong Son. The first is to book a hotel in advance via the Internet. Current prices can be viewed by clicking the “find” button in the form below.

The second option is to look for more affordable accommodation locally. The main part of the guesthouses is located around a small lake in the city center. I marked the reservoir on the map, and also marked the guest house in which we lived. There is no point in marking the rest, because... there are quite a large number of them. You just need to walk along the streets and look at the signs; every second house is ready to shelter a traveler. Prices range from 400-500 baht, cheaper ones are completely unattractive. We, however, found a room for 200 baht from Thais of Chinese origin. But we didn’t want to settle there at all, even though we only needed to spend the night. It may be cheaper in other areas of the city, but running all over Mae Hong Son looking for accommodation is not very convenient.

We settled in at the Sarmork Guest House for 400 baht per night for a room with a fan. This turned out to be the most suitable place out of the dozen we looked at in terms of price/quality ratio. They also offered bungalows with terraces for 500 baht. I was pleased with the opportunity to park the car on the territory of the guest house; the owner closed the gate at night. There is a mini refrigerator. Nice place.

Where to eat?

In the evening you can have a snack at the market located along the lake. By the way, here one woman sells passion fruit juice (where they sell souvenirs, near the temple). Finally, after six months in Asia, I drank delicious juice! A 0.63 liter bottle costs 40 baht. There are several overpriced restaurants in the area. We tried to find a simple, inexpensive cafe, walked in circles, but still found something. The establishment is prepared for tourists, the atmosphere is inviting, and the prices are reasonable, the food is tasty, but very slow. Massaman curry cost 100 baht, noodle soup with curry (northern thai style) - 50 baht. The location of the cafe was indicated on the map.

What to see in Mae Hong Son?

What to see in the city of Mae Hong Son itself:

• Lake Chong Kham. A good place for a walk.
• Temple on the mountain Temple on the mountain Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu. You can get there by transport (car, bike), or you can walk up the steep stairs. From here you can enjoy views of the city.
• Chong Kham Lake Temple. There is a straw Buddha here.
• Chinese temple by the lake Wat Chong Klang.
• Other temples.

We walked along the lake in the evening and came to the temples by the lake. They didn't go inside.

Attractions in the vicinity of Mae Hong Son:

• Villages of the Karen tribe (long-necked women with rings). We were in the village of Ban Nai Soi.
• Hot Springs. Were not.
• National Park with Tam Pla Cave. Were not.
• . Seasonal phenomenon (two weeks in late November-early December). We are in the midst of flowering.

Map of Mae Hong Son city

The map shows our guesthouse, affordable cafes, temples, bus stations (there are two of them, I have no idea which one for what), a 7-eleven store, markets.

Tags (decoding by colors):

• Green is our guest
• Yellow – recommended cafe
• Blue - lake
• Blue - 7-eleven store
• Orange – temples
• Burgundy – markets
• Brown – bus stations

Stayed overnight in Mae Hong Son