Mae Hong Son, pristine nature in Northern Thailand (video)
Nature lovers should definitely travel to the province Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand. The capital of the same name is also located about 925 kilometers north of Bangkok.
For years an undeveloped area, the vast majority of which consists of mountains and forests. This area is a true Eldorado for those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers. The province of Mae Hong Son is no less than 483 kilometers long and largely forms the border with Myanmar. It is therefore no coincidence that the small capital of the province of the same name exudes a Burmese atmosphere, as evidenced by the temples and many buildings.
Surrounded by the rugged mountains of the Shan Mountains, this province offers an array of unforgettable experiences for adventurous travelers and nature lovers.
Natural beauty
Mae Hong Son is dotted with lush, green landscapes, dense forests, dramatic mountains, and mysterious mist that shrouds the hills in the early morning hours. The province is home to numerous natural attractions, including waterfalls, caves and hot springs. The Pai River, which winds through the province, offers opportunities for rafting and other water activities.
Culture and heritage
Mae Hong Son's cultural melting pot reflects influences from the Shan (Tai Yai), indigenous hill tribes such as the Karen and Hmong, and Northern Thai (Lanna) culture. This mix is reflected in the architecture, festivals, clothing and food. The province is known for its notable temples, including Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, located on a hilltop and offering panoramic views of Mae Hong Son city and the surrounding mountains.
Adventure and activities
Adventurers can indulge themselves with treks through the mountains, visits to remote villages, and exploring vast caverns such as Tham Lot Cave. Mae Hong Son is also an excellent location for motorcycling, with some of the most scenic routes in Thailand winding through the mountains and valleys.
Unique experiences
Mae Hong Son offers unique experiences such as visiting the “Long Neck Karen” villages, where the women are known for wearing gold rings around their necks. Although this practice involves complex cultural and ethical discussions, it attracts visitors interested in the way of life of indigenous peoples.
Travel tips
- Best time to travel: The best time to visit Mae Hong Son is during the dry season from November to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant.
- Transport: Mae Hong Son is accessible by air, with a small airport offering direct flights from Chiang Mai. The province can be reached by road via scenic but winding routes that are an adventure in themselves.
- Accommodation: A wide range of accommodation options are available, from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts, especially near popular tourist areas such as Pai.
Mae Hong Son remains one of Thailand's best-kept secrets, ideal for those who want to get off the beaten track and experience the authentic culture, unspoilt nature and tranquility of this special region.
And this...
What almost no one knows, however, is that Mae Hong Son is home to one of Thailand's most isolated and visually stunning airports. Surrounded by high mountain peaks and dense forests, Mae Hong Son Airport offers one of the most challenging flight paths in the country. The short runway and proximity to the mountains require pilots to have special skill and precision during landing and take-off, making every flight a breathtaking experience for crew and passengers alike.
Video: Mae Hong Son, pristine nature in Northern Thailand
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/iZ6h-nbG8mU
Super nice environment, we have been there last November.
It is quite a backward area in terms of tourism, except for some motorcyclists who ride the Mae Hong Song Loop, you will not encounter many tourists. The travel agencies that organize trips are also quite basic (ours could only be reached by telephone "computers? no, we don't have those" But the trips they offer are a lot more authentic than, for example, the Chiang Mai area.
Plenty of hotels and usually also very good and cheap. Can recommend Black Ant coffee's Hotels. And yes, it's all in the name, they also have good coffee.
I think all this is also due to accessibility. Very mountainous area with the same associated roads. Expect longer travel times from Chiang Mai via (130km 700 turns) Pai to (110km) Mea Hong Song.
If you are easily motion sick then you may have a small problem on the way, motion sickness pills seem to help.
Traveling by minibus is the fastest and most comfortable . We took the local bus from Pai to MHS, which tripled the normal travel time, but what do you expect when you go through the mountains in an old creaky Chinese bus from the 50s with 20 km per hour. Again an experience and you have plenty of time to view the beautiful surroundings, comfort should be disregarded
In short, Mae Hong Song definitely worth it.
The trip to MaeHongSong is the most beautiful if you do it on a motorcycle.
Did it a few times but be careful many of those corners can quickly take you by surprise.
So always adjust your speed.
After MaeHongSong you can continue to complete the loop , you will arrive at the Doi Ithanon , and the place of Chomtong .
From there it is almost again 4 lanes towards HangDong Chiangmai.
I myself live about a kilometer or 60 from the foot of this mountain range .
Very nice area as well as Maewang with its waterfalls.
Jan Beute.
My wife and I were there last 'winter'.
We stayed in Mae Hond Son: a nice, quiet provincial town. We explored the region with a rented scooter each, even as far as Pai!
We even managed to cross the border 'illegally' in Ban Rak Tai after a nice chat with the Thai and Burmese border guards.
In MHS it is very cozy at night on the central lake.
MHS is good and reasonably cheap to reach from Chiang Mai. There is plenty of accommodation at very affordable prices…
Very nice indeed around the lake
I was there in January this year. Beautiful route by rental car. Become my favorite part of Thailand
The Mae Hong Son run twice with the motor done. Simply fantastic and is one of the most renowned Bikertours in the world, together with the Route 66. You have to be an experienced biker and, as Jan writes above: really do it at a very adapted speed and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The loop is more than 600 km and is also called the loop with the 1800 bends. Please take a week for it. It's really fun…. hopefully i can do it a third time.
I did it twice on my racing bike, fantastic trip, about 700 km, great contact with the population, travel time 7 days, very tough, up to 3500 meters per day.
Very nice ride especially on the motorcycle (Honda CB500X) with motorcycle sizes on good roads. We have done that more than once from Chiang Mai and we find it highly recommended.