|
The remotest of the
northern provinces, lying west of Chiang Mai,
Mae Hong Son is the ideal destination for those
who love wild hill country and who seek the
thrill of sweeping valley vistas whereby the
town's population is predominantly Shan.
Cradled in
mist-shrouded forested mountains on the border
with Myanmar, Mae Hong Son town is one of the
most enchanting settlements in the entire North.
A superb hill retreat, it is both readily
accessible and enticingly remote whereby treks
and trekking tours
can be organized to nearby hill-tribe villages.
Mae Hong Son is
served by flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai,
and the ease of getting there is complemented by
a good choice of cheap accommodation, mainly
comfortable guesthouses. And yet the
place appears reluctant to change and Mae Hong
Son manages to offer travelers' comforts without
disturbing an enduring sense of a lost world.
Sights include a lively morning market filled
with pushcart vendors and a
handful of temples with multi-tiered roofs
typical of Burmese religious architecture.
Beyond Mae Hong Son,
journeys of discovery and adventure lead you
into breathtaking mountain scenery dotted with
the villages of Karen, Meo, Lisu and Lahu
hilltribes. Alternatively, the little town of
Pai provides a tranquil escape amid stunning
scenery and guesthouses in town can arrange for
white-water rafting on the Mae Nam Pai. The best
time to visit this region is during the month of
March whereby you will be able to witness young
Shan boys ordained as novice monks during the
Poi Sang Long Festival at Wat Jong Klang temple and Wat
Jong Kham temple located south of Jong Kham Lake.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|