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Bua Tong Fields
at Doi Mae U-kho
The Dok Bua Tong (may be
classified as wild sunflowers) blooms during November painting
the entire hilly area of Doi Mae U-kho in brilliant yellow
draw flocks of visitors to Khun Yuam district. Camping sites
arranged during the Bua Tong Bloom Festival is 26 kilometers
from the district on Highway No. 1263. |
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Khun Yuam Indigenous
Cultural Center
Located at Km. 200 on Highway No. 108,
the centre has a considerable collection of Thai Yai and other
hilltribes handicrafted products. It also displays military
accessories and equipment of the Japanese army which entered Khun
Yuam district during World War II. |
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Namtok Mae Surin
National Park
Given national park status in
1981, this natural wonder, which straddles Mueang and Khun
Yuam districts, encompasses a wildlife and botanical reserve,
a huge waterfall and a spectacular terraced mountain.
Namtok Mae Surin, its main attraction, is 37
kilometres from Khun Yuam district. It is a huge waterfall
cascading eighty meters down below. Here camping can also be
set up. |
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Wat To
Phae
This temple is located 7 kilometres from
Khun Yuam having a large beautiful Burmese style Viharn.
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. |
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Salween National
Park
Covering a forested area of 721 square
kilometers, the Salawin National Park is on the bank of the
Salween or Salawin River on the Thai-Myanma border, about 164
kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. The Salawin River originates
from Tibet before winding through China, Thailand and Myanmar
for a total distance of more than 3,000 kilometres. The river
is regarded as the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand for
a distance of 120 kilometres.
Visitors wishing to take
a boat along the river have tocontact the park headquarters
for their safety during the journey. The headquaters also
provide accommodation and other facilities. To get to the
headquarters, one can take Route 1194 from Mae Sariang
district for about 4 kilometres, then turn right and continue
along a dirt road for 4 kilometres. The best time for boat
trip is from March to April when the water level is low and
sandy beaches appear. Sceneries along the riverbanks are
captivating with forest and mountains and dotted with small
hamlets.
For more information, contact Salawin
National Park: P.O. Box 8, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son 58110
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Wat Chomthong
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.
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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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.
Morning Market
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.
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.
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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. |
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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.
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.
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 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 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. |
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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. |
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Huai Nam Dang
National Park
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.
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Mountain
Biking
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.
Pong Dueat Hot
Spring
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.
Rafting along the
Pai River
This is an exciting and delightful
recreation. The Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son
originating from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai
district and eventually joins the Salawin river in Myanmar, a total
distance of 180 kilometres. With an average depth of some 7 metres,
the riverbed 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 also able to
provide elephant rides. The best time for rafting is from October to
March. |
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Tha Pai Hot
Spring
This is another attraction in the area
of Huai Nam Dang National Park. The hot spring is two
kilometres off Route 1095 at Km. 87. It has an average
temperature of 80 celcius. Steam from the spring permeates the
site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is
also rich in teakwoods and suitable for overnight camping.
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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. |
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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. |
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Mae Ngao
River
Mae Ngao River 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. |
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Thai
