Mae Hong Son - The Valley of Three Mists

Mae Hong Son is often called the valley of Three Mists because it seems to have mist all year long. In the raining and cold season a humid fog covers the sky most days until mid-morning, and during the dry season, the smoke from slash-and-burn farming lingers in the valley.

It is the place to be to see gorgeous Thai countryside landscape. The towns of Mae Hong Son and Pai are so laid back, and are wonderful and romantic towns to get away from it all. Relax and enjoy the views of misty mountains, or explore. There are many interesting places to see, Hill tribe villages to visit, adventures to be had. Mae Hong Son is a province in the northwest of Thailand, and borders with Myanmar. The province has been quite isolated from the outside world and is very mountainous and thickly forested.

Images of Mae Hong Son and Pai 

 

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

When to go?

The most beautiful time to visit is during November to March. However, it can get very cold, especially at night. In November, the hillsides of Mae Sariang and Khun Yuam are covered with wild sunflowers (Bua Tong), providing spectacular scenery.

June to October is also a good time to come. Even though this is officially the rainy season, it normally only rains at night, or only for a couple of hours during the day. White Water Rafting will be at its most exciting.

Between March and June, the weather is very hot and dry, and valleys tend to fill up with smoke from the slash-and-burn agricultural practices.

 

Mae Hong Son town

The province’s capital is perhaps not as famous as Pai, but is still very special in its own right. There are certainly less tourists here, which has its own advantages. There are several wonderful attractions in and around town.

Activities & Attractions

• Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu – a Shan style Buddhist temple on a small hill overlooking the city. At sunrise, the Wat changes to a beautiful shade of pink due to a reflection of lights from the clouds. There is also an impressive view of the valley shrouded in mist. At other times of the day, especially in the late afternoon, there is a great view of the town below.
• Morning market (6am-8am)- Soak in the atmosphere as you watch farmers and Hill tribes goes about trading their produces and household goods.
• Lake Nong Chong Kham- There is a beautiful Burmese style Wat by the lake. Wat Chong Kham is a 200 year old temple that houses antique glass paintings and woodcarvings that were brought from Burma more than 100 years ago. Children (and adults) will enjoy feeding huge Koi carps at the lake.
• Hill tribe villages – Shan, Karen and Meo Villages, as well as Long Neck Karen Villages are near by.

Around Mae Hong Son

• Mae Aw(also known as Ban Rak Thai) – a town 22 km North of Mae Hong Son on a mountain peak at the Myanmar border. This town is a Chinese KMT settlement.
• Phasua Waterfall –It is said that Phasua Waterfall is the most beautiful in Mae Hong Son Province. It is particularly beautiful in the rainy season. 6-tiered waterfall 20m high and 30m wide.
• Tham Pla National Park (Fish Cave)- The Fish Cave is inside a lovely and shady park, and can be reached via a suspension bridge. There is a hole at the base of the outer wall of a cave where you can see and feed the huge carps. There is a statue of a Hindu sage called Nara nearby. Nara is said to protect the holy fish from danger. Locals also believe that those who eat the fish will be cursed with bad luck.
• Tham Lot Cave (Pang Ma Pha District)– this is a large limestone cave with a series of caverns. There is a wide stream (Nam Lang River) running through it. Together with Tham Nam Lang Caves, it is thought to be one of the largest know caves in mainland South East Asia). The cave is about 1 km long, and is thought to have provided shelter for pre-historic man. Very old wooden coffins made from solid tree logs have been found suspended on wooden scaffolds in side this, and other caves in the area. At the end of the caves, where the stream exits, thousands of birds fly in, and bats leaves at dusk.
• Bua Tong (Mexican Sunflowers) Festival - Mae Sariang & Khun Yuam in November. The hillsides are covered with Sunflowers (Bua Tong) blooms. Very spectacular!

 

Pai

This little hippie town in Mae Hong Son Province is one of the favourites among travellers and romantics. Here, everyday is a lazy Sunday, and many end up staying here longer than expected!
There are a number of ethnic groups making Pai their home, including Shan, Northern Thai, Lesu, Lahu, Karen, Haw Chinese and some Hmong.

Activities & Attractions:

• Laze around and do nothing, enjoying the beautiful scenery before you.
• Get a massage
• Visit the Pai Hot Springs in a National Park. You can choose to bathe in the river, or in tubs.
• Visit elephant camps
• Mountain Biking
• White Water Rafting on the Pai River through spectacular scenery. (Children over 7 years old are able to participate)
• Bamboo rafting over the more gentle stretches of the river.
• Trekking to Hill tribe villages
• Visit Caves
• Visiting Wats/temples eg. Wat Phra That Mae Yen for panoramic view over the valley (after climbing 350 steps)!
• Visit the night market