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Regardless of Pai being a well-liked backpacker hub, Mae Hong Son province doesn’t seem usually on a vacationer’s radar. Located in Northwest Thailand on the border to Myanmar, Mae Hong Son was put except for its neighboring provinces resembling Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in terms of recognition and actions.
Ideas for Mae Hong Son within the North of Thailand
Nevertheless, visiting Mae Hong Son seems like a frontier expertise because it’s off from the same old tourism buzz and thus, most of its cities and points of interest aren’t simply accessible for tourism. Some would possibly assume that it’s extra genuine than different provinces in Northern Thailand. Furthermore, it’s wealthy with luscious inexperienced mountains, dense rainforest, neverending rice fields and ethnic hill tribe tradition which makes you are feeling like an explorer in an unknown territory. The pure assets of Mae Hong Son alone makes your journey greater than value it!
On this article, I’ll let you know in regards to the actions you are able to do and which sights you want to see in your little Mae Hong Son journey.
Tips on how to get to Mae Hong Son
By bus/minivan
Mae Hong Son is the westernmost province in Thailand. Attributable to its excessive mountain ranges coated in mist more often than not, additionally it is referred to as ‘the town of three mists’ (three referring to the three seasons in Thailand; dry season, wet season, chilly season). The upper the placement, the extra windy and slender the streets will be. For those who’re not driving by yourself, I extremely suggest you to carry some journey drugs together with you if you happen to journey by minivan or bus. In any other case, you’ll simply get movement sick.
There are some bus corporations which offer companies to and in Mae Hong Son province. Many of the minivans by Prempracha begin from the bus terminal (Arcade 2) in Chiang Mai. Don’t be stunned: Thai locals additionally use Prempracha to ship off packages. For those who’re sitting subsequent or in entrance of a pile of containers, that could be a frequent sight right here.
The bus firm Sombat Tour has long-distance night time buses connecting Bangkok to Mae Hong Son and different cities within the province alongside the way in which. The trip takes round 15 hours.
By aircraft
Probably the most handy (and likewise not budget-friendly) method to get to Mae Hong Son is by airplane. From Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok you possibly can hop on a aircraft to Mae Hong Son which shouldn’t take you greater than 1,5 hours. There are frequent home flights operated by Nok Air.
By rental automotive/motorcycle
If you wish to take a deep dive within the tradition and landscapes of Mae Hong Son by driving by yourself, I extremely suggest you to hire a bike or automotive and do the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Lodging in Mae Hong Son – our resort suggestions
Touring by way of Mae Hong Son province, there are various lodges, guesthouses and homestays obtainable. Even if you happen to cease in a small village, you will discover appropriate lodging. Listed below are a couple of that I can suggest to you.
The Quarter (Pai): The Quarter is a chic 4-star resort, situated within the coronary heart of Pai. Every resort room is vivid and spacious (particularly the bogs). Furthermore, it has a terrace with an ideal backyard view. Apart from the comfortable rooms, the inexperienced swimming pool is a spotlight of the Quarter. Breakfast is included within the resort charge.
Countryside Resort (Pai): The Countryside Resort is a budget-friendly resort a bit exterior of city. The bamboo huts are directed to rice fields and mountains. I stayed for a few days there and I’d do that once more. The workers shouldn’t be solely pleasant and tremendous useful, additionally they give you laundry service (30 Baht per kg) and offer you a elevate to Pai Bus station or different locations.
B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Resort (Mae Hong Son): This resort is situated proper within the coronary heart of Mae Hong Son city. The rooms are fairly snug and clear. The workers could be very pleasant and doing their finest to make your keep satisfying as doable.
Herntai Resort (Mae La Noi): Constructed within the Northern Thai conventional type, it’s situated within the heart of Mae La Noi. The rooms aren’t that large, however very clear. The backyard round Herntai Resort is sort of spacious, with an superior view of rice paddies and mountains. Simply lie down in one of many hammocks and loosen up.
Ban Huai Hom Resort (Mae La Noi): For those who’re a espresso lover like me, don’t miss this place! Ban Huai Hom is a small village situated close to the border of Chiang Mai province. You possibly can get pleasure from espresso that the folks grew on this space. Apart from, you possibly can hire one of many rooms if you wish to keep in a single day. Simply ask the locals. They’re greater than delighted that will help you out.
Above the Sea (Mae Sariang): A contemporary boutique resort within the heart of Mae Sariang. The rooms are fairly clear and the beds are greater than snug. A pool and a small fitness center can also be a part of the amenities. Once I stayed there, I felt greater than welcome at Above the Sea. Breakfast is included within the resort charge.
1. Mae Hong Son Loop
The loop begins and ends in Chiang Mai and takes you largely by way of the provinces of Mae Hong Son, Lamphun and Chiang Mai to a small extent. Attributable to its many turns and twists alongside this tour, the loop is most well-liked by many motorbikers. Doing the loop, you’ll expertise probably the most astonishing mountain sceneries, be taught in regards to the folks of the ethnic hill tribes, and have a once-in-a-lifetime sense of deliberation. The 373-mile (ca. 600 km) route will be achieved inside 4 days, however if you happen to’re not in a rush, I like to recommend you to lengthen your journey. The fascination of the Mae Hong Son Loop will be in comparison with a dry-aged beef: the extra time you make investments, the extra intense your (style) expertise will likely be.
The popular time to do that loop is both within the chilly season (October-February) or dry season (March-Could). For those who prefer to be adventurous, you possibly can trip the loop through the wet season (June-September). The rice fields are luscious inexperienced throughout this time whereas within the different seasons the rice crops are both already harvested or not planted but, therefore, they give the impression of being fairly bare. The streets are very slippery if it rains. Potholes and landslides are frequent, so higher be further cautious.
For those who don’t really feel snug to trip by yourself, you might additionally e book personal excursions.
2. Mountain viewpoints
Quantity 2 correlates with number one on this record. Mae Hong Son has one of the crucial beautiful mountain views in the entire nation the place you possibly can look far into the space! Since this province is method much less urbanized than its neighbor Chiang Mai, a lot of the nature stays untouched and well-preserved. There are lots of viewpoints alongside the Mae Hong Son Loop.
3. Sizzling Springs
When you’re on the Mae Hong Son Loop, take a break at one of many scorching springs within the province. The doorway charge shouldn’t be greater than 50 Baht and you may keep so long as you need. Sizzling springs resembling Nong Haeng Sizzling Springs or Pha Bong Sizzling Springs invite you to relaxation and ponder. You can too hire a personal bathtub if you wish to have extra privateness. Nevertheless, after Covid most of them look a bit run-down and never very well-maintained.
4. Go to the one crystal calcite cave (Tham Kaew Komol) in Southeast Asia
Round 6 km east from Mae La Noi city on Doi Tham, there is without doubt one of the most stunning crystal calcite caves in Thailand. The cave goes 30 meters deep and has 5 chambers in numerous sizes the place calcite crystals are shaped like snowy corals or clouds. It is a uncommon phenomenon since calcite can solely change into crystalized and set strong on the proper temperature of scorching steam. Strolling out and in Tham Kaew Komol doesn’t take greater than half-hour. You possibly can solely enter the cave with a information. Entrance charge is 80 Baht.
5. Wat Tham Phra (Mae Sariang)
Near the town of Mae Sariang, there’s a distinctive Buddhist cave temple referred to as Wat Tham Phra. By scooter, the temple could be very simple to achieve from the city. The temple is constructed within a mountain. From there you’ve an incredible view over Mae Sariang and its environment. The cave a part of this temple is sort of small, nevertheless, the Buddha statues are gigantic. Usually, the temple doesn’t have many guests, so benefit from the calm and tranquil environment at Wat Tham Phra. No entrance charge.
6. Native Thai Nightlife
If Chiang Mai remains to be too hectic for you, however you don’t need to miss the nightlife. I like to recommend you go to native Thai bars within the cities of Mae Hong Son. A few of them are extra bustling than you assume. Relying on the bar, there are additionally stay music or karaoke nights. If there’s a stay band taking part in, the Thai locals will be extraordinarily extroverted. Regardless of language boundaries, Thai folks could be and need to chat with you over a beer or two.
My favourite bar in the entire province is Ching Ching within the heart of Mae Sariang. The beer costs are between 60 and 90 Baht per bottle. As well as, the bar could be very enjoyable and infrequently performs quite a lot of Thai and Western music.
7. Salawin River Boat tour
The Salawin Nationwide Park is situated proper on the border to the Kayah state in Myanmar. The park itself is a spotlight of its personal; it’s very mountainous and consists of various kinds of forests. Nevertheless, the Salawin river is what makes it so particular (additionally it’s within the title of this park). The Salawin river flows from the Tibetan Plateau and ends within the Andaman Sea, crossing by way of three completely different international locations. Moreover, it capabilities partly as a geographical demarcation between Thailand and Myanmar.
You possibly can sit on a ship which sails throughout the river, actually crossing borders. There isn’t a lot public details about the itinerary. Nevertheless, I like to recommend driving south from Mae Sariang in the direction of Sop Moei and heading west to the Thai-Myanmar border. There’s a small village referred to as Baan Mae Sam Laep on the Salawin riverbank. Ethnic minorities resembling Karen and Shan folks stay there who’re very pleasant. Simply ask round in regards to the boat tour they usually’d be joyful that will help you.
8. Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary (Pai)
Thom’s Elephant Sanctuary gives enjoyable Elephant excursions in nature exterior of Pai. On the camp, we had the pleasure to fulfill Ot and Tutdao, two sleek elephant girls who’re very playful and revel in consuming. It was a lot enjoyable to stroll with the mild giants and bathing with them within the river. Thom herself grew up in a mahout household (mahouts means elephant keepers or trainers) and takes nice care of them. A two-hour elephant tour together with Bamboo rafting and lunch prices round 1800 Baht per individual. Using the elephants is strictly forbidden.
9. Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw)
For those who’re doing the Mae Hong Son Loop, don’t miss Ban Rak Thai (In Thai, the title means ‘the village loves Thai’), a Chinese language village 44 km north from Mae Hong Son metropolis. Throughout the rise of Communism in China, folks from Yunnan province fled the nation and settled on this space. Some generations later, they totally tailored Thai language and tradition, however they’ve by no means forgotten about their heritage. The village often known as Mae Aw could be very small and you may simply discover all the things by foot. Particularly throughout winter, it will possibly get fairly chilly right here, so higher pack some heat garments. Among the finest sightseeings is the central lake coated in mist within the early morning and the Chinese language-style homes surrounded by tea plantations.
You possibly can both e book a personal tour to get there or drive your self with a rental car from Chiang Mai, Pai or Mae Hong Son city. However the windy streets won’t be appropriate for inexperienced drivers. There are additionally yellow pick-up vans going forwards and backwards between Ban Rak Thai and Mae Hong Son city.
10. Loosen up at cafes subsequent to a rice discipline
In Mae Hong Son province, you’ll have many alternatives to get pleasure from a chilly beverage with a splendid view over broad rice fields. Many of the inhabitants in Mae Hong Son work within the agricultural discipline and rising rice could be very important for a lot of households. A few of them constructed pretty cafes subsequent to rice farms.
Two of my favourite cafés that are situated subsequent to rice fields are Mana and Phamolor Espresso in Mae Sariang. Additionally they provide an ideal menu with self made truffles and scrumptious espresso! Furthermore, for the digital nomads amongst us: The WiFi connection is actually quick and energy shops can be found at these locations.
Tailpiece
Actually talking, if you happen to’re looking for the final word, thrilling ‘Thailand’ expertise, Mae Hong Son could be the fallacious place for you. The province could be very down-to-earth, largely rural and deeply enjoyable. For those who’re a fan of distant locations distant from the tourist-y hustle (Pai is a giant exception) and beautiful nature, then you definately acquired to see Mae Hong Son.
This province invitations you to dive into the ethnic hill tribe life and benefit from the small issues in life. Mae Hong Son does neither provide an ideal number of actions nor probably the most beautiful temples. Simply drive round, discover the province by yourself and speak to the folks. By doing so, Mae Hong Son will give you the very best Thai native life expertise than wherever else.
Concerning the creator
Hey guys, it’s Pako Nam, working as a contract creator and digital creator. Born in Thailand and rising up in Germany, my cultural identification interchanges between East and West. Touring and writing is my method to discover the world which I doc on my social media channels.
