Mae Hong Son

Spectacularly cradled amid mist-shrouded forested mountains, Mae Hong Son is arguable the North's most enchanting excursion option. Lying up against the Burmese border northwest of Chiang Mai, this sleepy little town combines surprisingly well developed tourism facilities with a pleasing sense of isolation.

The town can easily be reached by Thai's daily direct flight from Bangkok, or in a short hop from Chiang Mai. By road Mae Hong Son is 370 km (230 miles) from Chiang Mai and the drive (about 8-9hr) is a thrilling rollercoaster ride as the road winds its way up, down and around the mountains. The small town of Mae Sarian serves as halfway halt.

On Arrival, the immediate attraction of Mae Hong Son is a feeling of tranquility. A distinc character is preserved not only by old wooden house and ageing Burmese-style temples, but also by the people, mainly Shans and a scattering of Kare, Meo, Lisu and Lahu tribes people. To see the town at its liveliest, a visit to the morning market is a must. Here, between 06:00 and 08:00, hill tribe people mix with townsfolk and there is an untypical buzz of activity around colorful stalls loaded with fruit, vegetables, spices, meats, clothes and household goods.

Dominating the western edge of town is Doi Kong Mu, a 424m peak topped by Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu. The two chedis, erected in 1860 and 1874 respectively, and the several surrounding images are fascinating, but the real rewards is the magnificent bird's eye view of the narrow fertile valley and encircling mountains. At the foot of Doi Kong Mu, Wat Phra Non houses a 12m long Burmese-style reclining Buddha image.

Bordering the town's small but extremely picturesque lake are Wat Chong Kam and Wat Chong Klang. Both  temples display typical Burmese-style architecture, and Wat Chong Klang is notable for its collection of Burmese wooden dolls, the tallest about  1m high, representing figures from one of the traditional stories about the Buddha's previous lives.

Wat Hua Wieng, near the market, looks even more dilapidated than usual for the typically tottering woo-and-corrugated-iron architecture of Mae Hong Son's Burmese-style temples, but it does enshrine a fine brass seated Buddha, a copy of a statue in Mandalay.

Attractions beyond Mae Hong Son are numerous. Besides the overall spectacular mountain scenery, natural sights within easy distance of town include Tham Pla (Fish Cave), Pha Sua waterfall and Tham Lod cave, a splendid cavern with a stream running through it. There are also numerous hill tribe villages. Trekking and excursions by jeep, elephant and river transport are organized by tour agents (concentrated on Khunlum Praphat Road) and resort hotels.

Mae Hong Son Hotels, Villas, Bungalows and Resorts

HOTEL DETAILS		RATES
	Baan Krating Pai Resort     119 Moo 2, Tambol Wiangnuer, Amphoe Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130 Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,170 THB
	Baan Pai Village     88 Moo 3, Vieng Tai, Pai, Maehongson, 58130 Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 840 THB
	Banmintra Home Resort @ Pai     358 Moo 8 Wiang Tai, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58310  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 798 THB
	Belle Villa Resort Pai     113 Moo 6, Viengtai, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 2,165 THB
	Bulun Buri Resort Pai     55 Moo 1, T.Wiangnua, A.Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,140 THB
	Bura Lumpai Resort     91 Moo 10, Tung Yao, Pai, Maehongson, 58130  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 2,018 THB
	De Pai Resort     105 Moo 5, Mae Na Toeng, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 600 THB
	Fern Resort     64 Moo 10 Ban Hua Nam Mae Sakut, T. Pha Bong, A. Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000 Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,755 THB
	Golden Pai & Suite Resort     285 Moo 1, Pangmoo, Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,170 THB
	Hut Ing Pai     29 Moo 4, Mae Na Toeng, Pai Mae, Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,638 THB
	Imperial Tara Mae Hong Son, The     149 Moo 8, Pang Moo, Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000 Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 2,200 THB
	Mae Hong Son Mountain Inn & Resort     112/2 Khunlumprapas Rd., Jongkham, Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 960 THB
	Mari Pai Resort     97 Moo 11, Tungyao, Pai District, Maehongson Province, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,250 THB
	Muang Pai Resort     94 Mooban Mopang, Maenatoeng, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,170 THB
	Pai Hillside Resort     147 Moo 2, Mae Na Teong Sub-District, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 625 THB
	Pai Hotsprings Spa Resort     84 - 84/1 Moo 2, Maehee, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,287 THB
	Pai Tara Resort     Maehee, Pai, Maehongson 58130 Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 960 THB
	Paicome Hideaway Resort      27 Moo 5 Baan Namhoo, Wiangtai, Pai, Maehongson 58130 Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,755 THB
	Phu Pai Art Resort     92 Moo 1,T.Mae-Na-Tueng, A.Pai, Mae Hong Son ,Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,638 THB
	Puravida Resort     65 Moo 3, Tambon Viengnuor, Amphur Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 960 THB
	Riverhouse Resort     6/1 Moo 2, Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son 58110, Thailand  Mae sariang     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,170 THB
	Rooks Holiday     114/5-7 Khunlumprapas Rd., Jongkham, Muang, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,521 THB
	Sawasdee Place     29 Moo 8, Pangmoo, Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand  Downtown     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 780 THB
	The Countryside Resort     90/2 Moo 1 Maehee, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130 Thailand  Pai      Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 650 THB
	The Quarter Hotel     245 Moo 1, Chaisongkram Rd., Viengtai, Pai, Maehongson 58130, Thailand  Pai     Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 2,106 THB
	Yoma Hotel     56 Moo 6 Viengtai ,Pai ,Mae Hong Son 58130 Thailand  Pai      Traveler Review :    (0 from 5)	Start Rate : 1,287 THB