Mae Hong Son, Thailand's second northernmost province, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. Mae Hong Son is located 924 kilometers from Bangkok and can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No.108 via Mae Sariang, 349 kilometers, or Highway No.1095 via Pai.

Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham

These two monasteries share the same compound. Apart from the glass paintings depicting Buddhism and simple lifestyle of the villagers which draw much attention from visitors, there are over 30 wood carving dolls taken from Myanmar about the past century.

Wat Hua Wiang

contains the image of Phra Chao Phara La Khaeng, a buddha image dressed in beautiful attire. It is a replica of a major image in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Wat Phra Non

contains a huge Burmese-style Reclining Buddha image some 12 meters long. The temple also houses ashes of Mae Hong Son King. Two massive stone lions guard the temple staircase.

Wat To Phae

is located 7 kms. from Khun Yuam Market having a large beautiful Burmese style vihara. According to the legend, it is said that raft assembling people used to gather up in this area prior to making a teak trees raft trip to the market places. They, then, combined their efforts to build the temple and called Wat To Phae.

Bua Tong Blossom Festival

Each year in November, the hillsides of Amphoe Khum Yuam and Amphoe Mae Sariang are filled with a host of golden Bua Tong or wild sunflower blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossoms about 30 days. This enough reason for Mae Hong Son provincial to hold the Bua Tong Blossom Festival at Amphoe Khun Yuam.

At Amphoe Khum Yuam's Doi Mae U-Kho, the blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms become part of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua Tong as weed and because of this, they may be cleared to make way for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered the flower's insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is why the Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved on the hillsides.

Loi Krathong Festival

Loi Krathong Festival is held on the full moon night in the month of November every year. Villagers make "Krathongs" to float in rivers. At Nong Chong Kham, various entertainment and a contest of large krathongs are held near the central pond. Lamps and candles are lit all around the area. Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, there is a ceremony of releasing candle-lit krathongs bound with balloons to the sky (known as "Loi Krathong Sawan").

Poi Sang Long Procession

This is in fact the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorious occasion. Traditionally, the candidate-novice, his head cleanly shaven and wrapped with head-cloth in the Burmese style, will don a prince-like garment and put on valuable jewels and gems, and ride a horse or be carried over the shoulders of a man to the city shrine. Then he will visit abbots of various monasteries to beg for forgiveness.

On the ordination eve, a procession of offerings and other necessary personal belongings will be paraded through the town streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination will take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.

Chong Para Procession

The Chong Para in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made of wood, covered with colorful perforated papers and decorated with fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house or a monastery as a gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to traditional belief.

The rite is held during the post -rain retreat season from the full-moon day of the 11the Lunar month to the waxing-moon night of the same month. Other activities to celebrate the occasion include dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes. This is based on the belief that during those long-gone days, both humans and the animal kingdom were equally joyful of the return of the Lord Buddha and therefore joined in a jubilant performance as tribute to the Enlightened One.

Mae Sam Laep

This is a village on Salawin River. Travel some 47 kilometers from Amphoe Mae Sariang via Highway No.1194. It is a renowned attraction among visitors for the boat trip along the Salawin River.The village is situated within a deep valley facing Myanmar with white sandy beach on some parts of the bank.

Visitors can put up their tents in the area of Salawin National Park Offfice where it will take 30 minuites by boat from Mae Sam Laep to the north. Accommodation is also available in Sop Moei where it will be reached by taking a 30 minutes boat ride from Mae Sam Laep to the south.

Rafting Along Pai River

With its approximately length of 180 kms, 30 m. width and 7 m. depth, the Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae Hong Son. This challenges the adventurous lover to raft along this river and three most suitable points are recommended. They are : season falls in November to April.

1. Source of the River to Amphoe Pai : Starting from Huai Chang Kaeo, 16 kms. from Amphoe Pai to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chomphon near Amphoe Pai, taking about 6 hours. Most suitable time to raft is between October - March.

2. From Amphoe Pai to Amphoe Muang : Starting from Ban Mo Paeng, Amphoe Pai to Ban Pang Mu in Amphoe Muang. The distance of this route is about 70 Kms. and takes at least 2 day of rafting.

3. From Amphoe Muang to the border of Thailand and Myanmar : Starting from Ban Huai Dua, Tambon Pha Bong, about 6 kms. from Amphoe Muang to the border at Ban Nam Phiang Din. Normally this section of Pai River is more enjoyable to cruise along by the long-tailed moto boat which only takes 2-3 hours returned trip or riding on elephant back instead of rafting since the nature and scenery on both sides is fascinating and beautiful.

Mae La-up Lawa Village

in Tambon Huai Hom is situated in the area where three districts meet : Mae Chaem, Mae La Noi and Mae Sariang. The culture, architecture, costumes and character of the hill tribes here are different from other hill tribes in Thailand.

The attraction of this village is its hilltop location with beautiful view. Visitors can easily go to the village for it is about 32 kilometers from the district.

Tham Lot

some 77 kilometers from Mae Hong Son town, via Highway No.1095, a road to the left runs a further 9 kilometers.It is a place where antiques and pre-historic remains were found. This huge cave isbeautifully decorated with colorful stalagmites and stalactites. To visit inside the cave, a guide and a lamp are needed. There are other caves located in different areas of Amphoe Pang Mapa such as Ban Mae Lana, Ban Pang Kham and Ban Pha Phuek.

Wild-Sunflower Field, Doi Mae U-Kho

covers a large mountainous area in Tambon Mae U-Kho, some 26 Kilometers from the district. The wild-sunflowers called in Thai "Bua Tong" are in full bloom during November which make the hills and surrounding areas look like plated with gold.

Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park

is situated another 11 kilometers away from Doi Mae U-Kho. Mae Surin Waterfall is 80 meters high and can be seen from the view point at the national park office. The forest here still maintains its natural abundance. Visitors are required to carry their own tents for an overnight stay. Its peak season falls in November to April.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

The area, stretching out as far as Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, is planted with flowers and trees of cold weather zone which contribute to its scenic landscape. It is accessible by travelling along the Highway No.1095 from Amphoe Pai to the east about 60 kilometers and taking a left turn for another 6 kilometers.

The Tribal Development & Assistance Center

at Km.84 on Doi Mae Ho is administered by the Public Welfare Department. Most of the hill tribe people in this center are of Karen ancestry. The scenic area is noted for colorful flower plantations. Bua Tong or wild sunflowers bloom along the highway in this area during November every year. market places. They, then, combined their efforts to build the temple and called Wat To Phae.