Mae Hong Son Travel Guide
Mae Hong Son ‘The Land of Three Fog’
The provinces of Northern Thailand have outstanding topography, cultural diversity, and a population comprising of various ethnic groups such as the Lanna (KhonMuang), Shan (Tai Yai), Chin Haw. Burmese, and hill tribe people like the Hmong (Miao), Lisu, Lahu, Lua, PwaKaNyaew Poe (Karen), etc. Their unique cultures are still well preserved while they peacefully live amongst each other in different cultural neighborhoods with no language or cultural barrier between them.
Many tourist attractions are preserved in their beautifully natural state. All seven districts of Mae Hong Son are full of tourist destinations and have many unique and
interesting festivals that await visitors to explore their traditional culture, folkway and contemporary lifestyle from the past to the present.
This is another popular tourism province in northern Thailand. There are some interesting statistics of it, for an instance, the 5th least crowded but also the 8th biggest town of the country.
However, Mae Hong Son is known as ‘The Land of Three Fog’, due to its atmosphere. When you enter the town, you will see a bunch of mountains around you. The climate is mostly foggy all year round.
The Short History Information
Actually, Mae Hong Son wasn’t established as a province at first place. In the past, it was only a small area that many people loved to come in, reclaiming it building their own cottages and starting agriculture works. Most of these people were Thai, but there were also some other ethnic groups living on mountaintops.
Then, in the year 1874, it was established as a province by Inthawichayanon, who was the 7th ruler of Chiang Mai Province.
The Territory Information
There are some other lands around Mae Hong Son.
Northern Side : Next to Myanmar
East Side : Next to Chiangmai Province
South Side : Next to Tak Province
West Side : Next to Myanmar (Some parts of Salween River)
Moreover, there are total 7 districts in Mae Hong Son.
- Muang District
- Khum Yuam District
- Pai District
- Mae Sariang District
- Mae La Noi District
- Sob Moei District
- Pang Ma Pa District
Meteorological Information
The climate in Mae Hong Son is tropical. If you choose to go there in the middle of summer, you will have to face with extremely hot air. Also, in the middle of winter, you will need some super thick costumes, including a pair of gloves and a wool hat. In rainy season, you may not be able to go anywhere, due to the heavy rain.
Moreover, Mae Hong Son is mostly mountaintop. which is much higher than the sea level. There is no wonder why it’s foggy all year round and called ‘The Land of Three Fog’. At daytime, the temperature will be quite high, due to the sun. But at nighttime, the temperature will be cooler, due to the mountain wind.
The summer in Mae Hong Son starts from the middle of February to the middle of May. The rainy season starts from the middle of May to October. And the winter starts from October to the middle of February. Just choose any period that is most convenient for you.
The Ethnic Groups
As you’ve been informed, there are many different ethnic groups living in Mae Hong Son. These can be considered as 60% of total population.
- Lu People, Kuen People, Central Thai People : With Chiang San as the specific language
- Shan People : With northern west Tai as the specific language
- Burmese People : With Tibeto-Burman as the specific languages
- Lahu People : With Lahu as the specific language
- Liso People : With Lisu as the specific language
- Chin Haw People, Yunnan People : With Chinese and standard Chinese as the specific languages
- S’gaw People : With S’gaw Karen as the specific language
- Mong People : With Green Mong and White Mong as the specific languages
- Lua People : With Mon and Cambodian as the specific languages
Traditional Merchandises
In case you want to buy some souvenir for yourself or your friends, there are many perfect traditional merchandises in Mae Hong Son. First of all, you can choose a bottle of forest honey or a can of tea leaves. Then you may want to get a pack of sesame oil. These are natural products, so don’t worry.
Moreover, you can buy some traditional fabrics produced by ethnic groups. You may not use these fabrics in your everyday life, but you can keep them as memorial objects, in order to remind you your trip to Mae Hong Son.
How to travel to Mae Hong Son
Traveling to Mae Hong Son from Chiang Mai offers various options, each providing a unique experience through Thailand’s scenic northern landscapes.
By Bus: The most economical and popular choice is the minivan service operated by Prem Pracha. Departing from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal, these minivans take approximately 6 hours to reach Mae Hong Son, with ticket prices ranging from ฿200 to ฿340. The journey traverses the winding Highway 1095, known for its over 2,000 curves, offering picturesque views but potentially challenging for those prone to motion sickness.
By Car: For travelers seeking flexibility, renting a car allows for stops at various attractions along the way. The drive via Highway 1095 covers about 245 km and takes roughly 4 hours. Alternatively, the southern route through Highway 108 spans approximately 350 km and offers a different set of scenic vistas.
By Air: While there are no direct flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, travelers can fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then connect to a flight to Mae Hong Son. Bangkok Airways operates flights from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son, with a stopover in Lampang.
Each mode of transportation offers a distinct perspective of northern Thailand’s beauty. Whether you prefer the affordability of bus travel, the autonomy of driving, or the speed of flying, reaching Mae Hong Son is an adventure in itself.
Some of the main attractions in each district are as follows:
Mueang Mae Hong Son District
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Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu – A hilltop temple offering panoramic views of the city.
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Pha Bong Hot Spring – A relaxing natural hot spring just outside the city.
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Mae Hong Son Night Market – A charming local market with traditional food and handicrafts.
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Namtok Pha Suea (Pha Suea Waterfall) – A scenic waterfall in the mountains, especially vibrant in the rainy season.
Pai District
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Pai Canyon – A unique geological formation with breathtaking views at sunset.
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Tha Pai Hot Springs – Natural thermal pools in a peaceful forest setting.
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Wat Phra That Mae Yen – A temple with a large white Buddha statue overlooking the Pai Valley.
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Pai Walking Street – A vibrant evening market with street food, art, and souvenirs.
Pang Mapha District
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Tham Lod Cave – A spectacular limestone cave with guided bamboo rafting tours.
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Ban Jabo Village – A Black Lahu community famous for its cliffside noodle shop and scenic viewpoints.
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Fang Ming or Coffin Cave – An archaeological cave with ancient teakwood coffins.
Khun Yuam District
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Bua Tong Fields at Doi Mae U Kho – Stunning sunflower fields in full bloom each November.
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Khun Yuam World War II Museum – Exhibits related to Japanese troops’ passage during WWII.
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Tai Yai temples and weaving villages – Cultural stops to learn about local traditions.
Mae Sariang District
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Salawin National Park – A remote national park with lush jungle and the Salawin River.
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Wat Jong Soong – A peaceful hilltop temple with views over the town.
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Ban Mae Sam Laep – A border village with boat tours on the Salawin River.
Sop Moei District
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Mae Ngao National Park – A remote, peaceful park with jungle trekking and river activities.
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Karen Villages – Home to Sgaw and Pwo Karen communities, offering cultural trekking experiences.
If you want to experience traditional culture, ways of living still in their original form, and enjoy beautiful nature, then Mae Hong Son is one of your best choices!
Traditional Dishes
Of course, your trip won’t be complete at all if you visit a town or a country without tasting its traditional foods. The same goes for Mae Hong Son—once you’re there, you absolutely must try the local dishes to truly fulfill your soul of travel and connect with the culture on a deeper level.
Mae Hong Son is well known for its unique blend of Northern Thai and Shan (Tai Yai) cuisine. There are many traditional foods you should try, such as Jin Loong (a spicy minced pork salad in Shan style), Suai Tamin (yellow sticky rice with turmeric often served with sweet or savory toppings), and Steamed Tofu with Spices, a simple yet flavorful local favorite. These dishes are rich in tradition and reflect the ethnic diversity of the province.
You can easily find these traditional foods in general local restaurants or at the morning markets in town. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy these special meals during your visit—they’re part of what makes Mae Hong Son a deliciously unforgettable destination.
Where to eat
The lifestyle in Mae Hong Son is leisure and traditional, just like many suburban towns in Thailand. Therefore you should never miss stopping by and taste traditional Thai dishes in the middle of leisure atmosphere of these recommended restaurants.
📍 Mueang District (Mae Hong Son Town)
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Fern Restaurant – A long-standing favorite serving Thai and Shan dishes in a relaxed setting.
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77 House’s Wine Coffee Food – A cozy riverside spot offering local dishes with good presentation.
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Little Good Things – Vegetarian-friendly, with fusion dishes and fresh ingredients.
📍 Pai District
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Na’s Kitchen – Highly recommended for authentic and affordable Thai and Shan cuisine.
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Witching Well – Known for creative dishes and good coffee, including local specialties.
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Khao Soi Zister’s – One of the best spots in Pai to try authentic Shan-style khao soi.
📍 Khun Yuam & Beyond
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Local markets – Morning and evening markets in Khun Yuam and small villages offer handmade snacks like sticky rice in bamboo, grilled meat skewers, and fried bananas.
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Homestays – Dining with your host family in Karen or Tai Yai villages (like Ban Huay Hee or Ban Rak Thai) offers the most authentic experience, often featuring seasonal forest vegetables and chili pastes made fresh daily.