Thailand

Mae Hong Son city is also known as the City of Three Mists, is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located in northwest Thailand, near the Burmese border, and currently has a population of over 8,000 inhabitants. Due to its geographical location, tourists often visit it after Chiang Mai and Pai.

It is a small, authentic, and quiet town with little traffic. It has remained isolated for a long time, and its charm lies in its mountainous and forested landscape. Moreover, it belongs to the most wooded province in the country. Thanks to its well-preserved culture and tradition, the city is the starting point for treks to discover the way of life of mountain tribes such as the Karen, Mhong, Lisu, Lahu, Lua, etc.

Mae Hong Son is heavily influenced by Burmese culture. This is reflected in the ethnic diversity of its population, as well as in its cuisine and culture.

History

In the 19th century, the Mae Hong Son region was invaded by elephants, and the town was created to house a training center, particularly for labor and combat, during the rise of the Siamese kingdom. At that time, the Shans were hired by the royal family of Chiang Mai to capture wild elephants.

In the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, elephant trading flourished, paralleling the logging industry.

Mae Hong Son was only incorporated into Thailand after the 1900s. Often shrouded in clouds, it was dubbed the "City of Three Mists."

In the 1960s, the city welcomed several road infrastructures connecting it to other cities.

Mae Hong Son today

Currently, elephant training is no longer practiced except to showcase tradition to tourists or to attract luck during logging.

Mae Hong Son is known as the city of Buddhist temples. It currently houses five major temples for only 8,500 inhabitants.

Visiting Mae Hong Son

Although not very touristy, Mae Hong Son boasts interesting monuments and landscapes to discover.

The city offers a sense of serenity, and it's very pleasant to stroll around. However, take the opportunity to visit the temples that make the city famous. Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klan, located on the banks of the Pai River, are the two most famous temples. You can also climb Mount Doi Kong Mu to the west of the city to explore Wat Phra That.

To discover the beauty of Mae Hong Son and its surroundings, take a tour of the Mae Lana caves. You can also visit the Mae Surin waterfall and its flower fields.

Don't hesitate to meet mountain tribes to understand their traditions and culture. Of course, during your visit, you can also cross the Su Thong Pae bamboo bridge.

Climate

The tropical climate dominates in Mae Hong Son. The temperature is high during the rainy season, while it decreases along with precipitation in the dry season. Due to the mountainous location of the region, mornings and evenings are particularly cool and foggy. The average temperature throughout the year is 23.7 °C, with precipitation reaching 1,716.2 mm.

To avoid rain during your vacation, the ideal time to visit Mae Hong Son is during the dry season, from November to April. During these months, the sun shines without scorching, and rain is generally absent. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 19°C, while April, the hottest month, reaches up to 28.3°C. The highest precipitation occurs in July, with an average of 343 mm. In February, the driest month, precipitation averages only 2.7 mm.

How to get to Mae Hong Son?

Mae Hong Son is on the same route as Pai, Mae Sariang, and Chiang Mai, but this cultural capital of Northern Thailand is the ideal starting point. If you're coming from Bangkok, you'll have to stop in Chiang Mai by bus before reaching your destination.

From Chiang Mai

There are several transportation options from Chiang Mai. You can take a plane, bus, minivan, or rent a scooter to go to Mae Hong Son.

From Pai

Scooter is the most convenient means, but you can also come by bus or minivan from the Pai bus station.

From Mae Sariang

If you're coming from Mae Sariang, simply take a local bus or minivan to Mae Hong Son.

Getting around the city

Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis are the most common means of transportation in the city. However, you can explore the city on foot if you want to visit temples. To reach attractions such as waterfalls and hot springs, you can rely on songthaews and local buses.

If you want freedom during your exploration, feel free to rent a bike or scooter.