Mae Hong Son Budget Travel Guide is written to provide an introduction to this hill town in northern Thailand. Through my description, I hope you will get a better picture of the place ahead of your visit. I have also listed out the tourist attractions of Mae Hong Son that you would not want to miss.
About Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son is a small town in northern Thailand. It serves as the provincial capital of Mae Hong Son Province. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by forested mountains and has remained relatively isolated until a road was built to link it from Chiang Mai in 1965.
Mae Hong Son is quite near the border with Myanmar. Due to this proximity, you can see elements of Burmese architecture in the houses and temples. The people living in Mae Hong Son are also tribes people mainly from the Shan and Karen tribes.
Today Mae Hong Son has become a tourist centre attracting visitors from all over to its lovely climate. As it gets quite chilly at night, don't forget to bring along a sweater.
There are buses (7 hours) and minibuses (5.5 hours) to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai from the Arcade bus terminal. If you can afford it, you can also take a flight from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Flights are available from Thai Airways and Nok Air.
If you are coming from Bangkok, I would recommend that you fly to Chiang Mai before continuing to Mae Hong Son, to break the journey. There are however buses going straight from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son on grueling 17-hour journeys.
Budget Travel within Mae Hong Son
The town is small enough for you to explore on foot. Alternatively you can rent a bicycle, stopping wherever it is convenient.
Places of Interest in Mae Hong Son
Chong Kham Lake Lake in the middle of Mae Hong Son, originally used as a bathing pond for elephants.
Mae Hong Son Market A place to see the local hill tribes go about their daily business.
Mae Hong Son Night Market A place to buy souvenirs and trinkets, Thai handicrafts and tribal textiles.
Singhanat Bamrung Street in Mae Hong Son with a few traditional Shan-style teak houses.
Wat Chong Klam Shan-style Buddhist temple with a multi-roofed spire. Inside the temple is a 5-meter-tall seated Buddha.
Wat Chong Klang The most distinctive landmark temple in Mae Hong Son, on account of its white and gold chedis, located near Chong Kham Lake.
Wat Doi Kong Mu Temple on a hilltop on the west part of Mae Hong Son, with good views of the town.
Wat Hua Wiang Burmese-style Buddhist temple built of teakwood housi8ng an important brass Buddha image, the Phrachao Para La Khaeng.
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