BY BUS

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From Bangkok’s Northern Bus Station. Phahonyothin Road, both air and non air-conditioned buses leave 20 times daily to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station, buses leave 8 times daily for Mae Hong Son on two different routes :
  a) Chiang Mai-Pai- Mae Hong Son route
  b) Chiang Mai-Hot- Mae Sariang-Khun Yuam- Mae Hong Son route.
There is a direct air-conditioned bus leaving the Northern Bus Station from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son one time daily. The trip takes about 17 hours.

BY TRAIN

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There is no direct train from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son. From the Bangkok Railway station, ordinary and express trains leave for Chiang Mai 7 times daily. From Chiang Mai, one can take a bus or a plane to Mae Hong Son. The Bangkok Railway Station, Tel.223-7010, 223-7020

BY PLANE

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There is no direct flight from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son. Thai Airways International Ltd. Operates flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son many times daily.

Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham

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These two monasteries share the same compound. Apart from the glass paintings depicting Buddhism and simple lifestyle of the villagers which draw much attention from visitors, there are over 30 wood carving dolls taken from Myanmar about the past century.
 

Wat Hua Wiang

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contains the image of Phra Chao Phara La Khaeng, a buddha image dressed in beautiful attire. It is a replica of a major image in Mandalay, Myanmar.

 
Wat Phra Non

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contains a huge Burmese-style Reclining Buddha image some 12 meters long. The temple also houses ashes of Mae Hong Son King. Two massive stone lions guard the temple staircase.
 

    
Wat To Phae

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is located 7 kms. from Khun Yuam Market having a large beautiful Burmese style vihara. 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 market places. They, then, combined their efforts to build the temple and called Wat To Phae.

Tham Lot

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some 77 kilometers from Mae Hong Son town, via Highway No.1095, a road to the left runs a further 9 kilometers.It is a place where antiques and pre-historic remains were found. This huge cave isbeautifully decorated with colorful stalagmites and stalactites. To visit inside the cave, a guide and a lamp are needed. There are other caves located in different areas of Amphoe Pang Mapa such as Ban Mae Lana, Ban Pang Kham and Ban Pha Phuek.
 

 
Wild-Sunflower Field, Doi Mae U-Kho

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covers a large mountainous area in Tambon Mae U-Kho, some 26 Kilometers from the district. The wild-sunflowers called in Thai “Bua Tong” are in full bloom during November which make the hills and surrounding areas look like plated with gold.

 
Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park

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is situated another 11 kilometers away from Doi Mae U-Kho. Mae Surin Waterfall is 80 meters high and can be seen from the view point at the national park office. The forest here still maintains its natural abundance. Visitors are required to carry their own tents for an overnight stay. Its peak season falls in November to April.
 

 
Huai Nam Dang National Park

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The area, stretching out as far as Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, is planted with flowers and trees of cold weather zone which contribute to its scenic landscape. It is accessible by travelling along the Highway No.1095 from Amphoe Pai to the east about 60 kilometers and taking a left turn for another 6 kilometers.
 

 
The Tribal Development & Assistance Center

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at Km.84 on Doi Mae Ho is administered by the Public Welfare Department. Most of the hill tribe people in this center are of Karen ancestry. The scenic area is noted for colorful flower plantations. Bua Tong or wild sunflowers bloom along the highway in this area during November every year. market places. They, then, combined their efforts to build the temple and called Wat To Phae.

Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s second northernmost province, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. Mae Hong Son is located 924 kilometers from Bangkok and can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No.108 via Mae Sariang, 349 kilometers, or Highway No.1095 via Pai which shortens the distance to some 245 kilometers.  Mae Hong Son is bordered by the Union of Myanmar (Burma) to the north and the west, and a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the province’s temples and buildings. The population of Mae Hong Son include Thai Yai (or Shan) and various hilltribes such as Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Lua and Lisu, scattering in the districts. Mae Hong Son covers an area of 12,681 square kilometers and is administratively divided into 7 districts (Amphoe) namely :  Muang, Pai, Khun Yuam, Mae La Noi, Mae Sariang, Sop Moei and Pang Mapha. 

The remote North Western town and provincial capital of the same name is little more than a large village. The province borders Chiang Mai. The inhabitants, not even ethnic Thai’s, comprise of different tribal influences from the west. Amongst the most famous of the cities attractions are the Long-Necked ladies who sport a curious fashion of heavy brass rings around the neck.

For more information about Long-Necked ladies please visit  The secret of the giraffewomen 
They can be reached by boat. The whole region comes alive during February with brightly coloured sunflowers completely blanketing the mountain side. The city itself has exquisite Burmese style pagoda’s which blend perfectly into the slow moving capital. Nearby settlement of various mixed tribal groups adorn the hill sand valley and the venerable cave where giant catfish swim freely with the blessing of the local spirits.
 
The town is know as city of the three mists as the low-laying clouds envelope the sleepy municipality.

Most of the province borders Myanmar (Burma) but there are, as yet, no legal border crossings.

Maehongson, Thailand’s northern border city, hiding itself in between the towering mountains with densely forested slopes, stretching to the Burmese border. Maehongson is known for its charm of scenery and culture. The people of Maehongson consists of the Shans who live in the city and the hilltribe people who live in remote villages on mountain tops where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years.
    

The Shans’ ancestors came from Shans region in Burma. The hilltribe people consist of Karen, Lisu, Mhong, Lahu, and Lua. Both the Shans and the hilltribemen have their own distinctive cultures. They have their own lilting dialect, their own architectural lifestyles, their own customs and traditions, and their own delicious cuisine. Throughout the year, Maehongson holds many festivals and events. Tourists can observe the distinction cultures from these events. There are different dances, rituals, and ceremonies for different events and festivals. Even the foods are different for each event.

The most remarkable tradition and also the most important event for the Shans is “Poy Sanglong Festival” which is the ordination ceremony for the Shans’ boys. The event is held in March and there is one big celebration throughout the city.

The city is covered with the mist all year long. Maehongson gains its nickname of “the City of Three Mists” from the fact that it has dewy mist in the winter, forest fire mist in the summer and rainy mist in the rainy season.