21 popular and trending attractions in Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son is a province known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse cultural experiences. It is nicknamed the “city of three mists” due to the complex mountain ranges that surround it and the fog that often envelops the area. Some of the top tourist attractions in Mae Hong Son include its beautiful natural scenery, numerous temples with intricate art and designs, and various cultural experiences. Whether you’re looking to explore the outdoors, learn about local history and traditions, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, Mae Hong Son has something for everyone to enjoy.
Khun Yuam District
Thung Bua Tong Doi Mae U Kho
Doi Mae U Kho in Khun Yuam District is a popular tourist destination during the winter months of November to early December, when the lotus flowers in the area are in full bloom. The fields of yellow flowers covering the mountain range, which spans over 1,000 rai, are the largest of their kind in Thailand and can only be viewed once a year. Visitors come from all over to marvel at the stunning natural beauty of the lotus fields.
Travel time: Mid November – early December
Phu Chee Pao
Phu Chee Pao is a viewpoint located near Thung Bua Tong Doi Mae U Kho, where visitors can watch the sunrise and see the changing colors of the morning light. From this viewpoint, you can also enjoy the beautiful view of the mist blending with the complex mountain ranges and, if you visit during the blooming season of the lotus flowers, you can see the fields of yellow flowers covering the mountain range from a high angle. This viewpoint is a must-see for anyone visiting the area during the winter months of November and December, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.
Best time to travel: November – February
Mueang District
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is a temple located in Mae Hong Son province that has been highly valued by the people of the area for many years. The temple features a beautiful Mon-style pagoda called Phra That Chedi, which has three hexagonal bases and is decorated with stucco patterns and arches in all eight directions. From the temple, you can get a clear view of the city of Mae Hong Son and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also relax at a coffee shop located on the mountain side before sunset and enjoy the views from the balcony, which offers a stunning view of the green mountains, especially in the evening when the sun sets on the hillside. The name of the restaurant is inspired by this beautiful evening view.
Wat Chong Kham, Wat Chong Klang
Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang are two temples located in the center of Mae Hong Son that are known for their cultural significance and artistry. They are often referred to as “twin temples” due to their close proximity to each other. Visitors to these temples can enjoy the beauty of the traditional Thai architecture and art, as well as participate in cultural activities and events hosted by the temple. The area in front of the temples, Nong Chong Kham Public Park, is also a popular venue for traditional ceremonies throughout the year.
Pang Tong Royal Forest Park Project 2 (Pang Oung)
Pang Oung is a beautiful lake located in Mae Hong Son. It is known for its misty atmosphere and stunning sunrises. The reflections of the sun on the water and the pine trees surrounded by thin mist make for a romantic and unforgettable experience. Even when the fog lifts, the beauty of Pang Oung remains. It is a popular tourist destination and considered one of the top attractions in Mae Hong Son.
Baan Rak Thai
Baan Rak Thai Village is located among the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery. It is a romantic place to visit in the morning, with mist floating above the reservoir. Visitors can relax in comfortable accommodations, such as Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort, surrounded by a tea plantation. They can also learn about the way of life of the Yunnan Chinese, taste various kinds of tea, and enjoy delicious Yunnan Chinese cuisine, including dishes like pork knuckle, mantou, spicy tea leaf salad with fried shiitake mushrooms, and braised black chicken with Chinese medicine. Baan Rak Thai Village is an ideal place to escape from the chaos of daily life and find peace and relaxation.
Travel time: November – February
Sutongpe Bridge
Su Tong Pae is a long bamboo bridge that stretches across rice fields, and is known as the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand. It was built with the cooperation and faith of monks and teak villagers, and serves as a convenient way for them to travel between villages. The bridge is surrounded by beautiful valleys and is often shrouded in mist in the morning sun, making it a popular spot for tourists to take photos and offer food to monks. The classic beauty of the bridge is a well-known feature of the area.
Travel time: Travel all year round, but during the rainy season in September – At the end of October, you will see the green fields. And in early to mid-November, which is in the end of the rainy season, the beginning of winter will find golden yellow rice.
Rice Bridge, Steps for Happiness, Ban Pha Bong
Ban Pha Bong is a small village located in Mueang District, Mae Hong Son Province, that is open to tourists looking to experience the culture and traditions of the local tribes, including the Tai and Tai Yai people. In this village, visitors can learn about the cultural traditions and see performances of traditional folk arts. One of the main attractions in Ban Pha Bong is the Rice Bridge, a bamboo bridge located in the middle of a rice field surrounded by mountains. This bridge offers a chance to enjoy the natural surroundings and refresh in a pure atmosphere.
Travel time: The optimal season is Sept. – Nov., which is the farming season.
Pha Bong View Point
Pha Bong View Point is a scenic spot located in Pha Bong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Mae Hong Son Province, approximately 12 kilometers from the city of Mae Hong Son. From the viewpoint, visitors can see the Pha Bong Hydroelectric Power Dam, a dam on the Mae Lamat River that generates electricity for the city. The viewpoint also features a summer pavilion for relaxation and a coffee shop. It is a popular stop for tourists to take in the views, have a coffee, buy souvenirs, and use the bathroom.
Mae La Noi District
Mae La Noi Royal Project Development Center
The Mae La Noi Royal Project Development Center is a location that offers agricultural tourism. Visitors can experience the natural beauty and traditional way of life in the area. The center is known for its terraced rice fields and organic vegetable plots, which are maintained as part of the Royal Project. Visitors can also taste fresh vegetables and local food, and enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding green rice fields and mountains.
Travel time: rainy season in September will meet the green rice fields in the middle of October, the rice fields change to gold.
Baan Huai Hom
Baan Huai Hom is a small village located in Mae La Noi District that is known for its eco-tourism offerings. Visitors to the village can tour the coffee plantation, taste locally-grown Arabica coffee, visit sheep farms, observe wool weaving, and learn about the way of life of the Pakakenyo people. Huai Hom coffee is known for its strong flavor and is even accepted by Starbucks. The village is situated in a valley and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Travel time: all year round but the most attractive season is rainy season and winter.
Mae La Luang Viewpoint
Mae La Luang Viewpoint is located in Mae La Noi District in the province of Mae Hong Son. It can be reached by driving along Route 108 from Chiang Mai, Hod, Mae Sariang, or Mae La Noi. The viewpoint offers a stunning view of the green mountains, and there is a coffee shop where visitors can relax and enjoy a drink while taking in the views. During the rainy season, the viewpoint is particularly beautiful, as the fog drifts over the hillsides, creating a fresh and misty atmosphere.
Pang Mapha District
Baan Ja Bo Community
Ban Ja Bo is a community-based eco-tourism destination located in Pang Mapha district in Mae Hong Son province. It is known for its beautiful sea of clouds and sunrise views, which can be enjoyed while sitting and relaxing at a local noodle shop. Many tourists visit Ban Ja Bo for the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of a hill tribe community and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area. To get to Ban Ja Bo, visitors must drive along winding roads through the mountains.
Pang Mapha Lod Cave
Pang Mapha Lod Cave is located in Pang Mapha District and is a popular destination for cave enthusiasts. To enter the cave, visitors must take a raft ride and explore the approximately 1 kilometer long cave. Inside, they will find the Nam Lang Lai creek, which passes through the mountain and creates beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The cave also contains ancient tools believed to be around 2,000 years old.
Mae Sariang District
Phra That Si Chom
Phra That Si Chom is a temple located in Mae Sariang, a city known for its four relics. The temple is worth a visit if you are passing through Mae Sariang and have some time to spend exploring the city. While there, you can also enjoy cycling, visiting other temples, and paying respects to the monks. The Salween River and the riverside views are also worth seeing, and you can try some delicious fish dishes while you’re there. Overall, Mae Sariang is a place where you can appreciate the beauty of nature and the friendly locals.
Pai District
Pai is a small district in Mae Hong Son known for its challenging road trip and its popularity as a tourist destination. Located in a valley, it is surrounded by mountains and is often shrouded in fog. Despite the increasing material prosperity and changes to the local lifestyle, Pai is still known for its art and remains a city that many dream of visiting. The city is named after a river that has long been important to the local community.
Boon Ko Ku Sui Bridge
The Boon Ko Ku Sui Bridge, also known as the Bamboo Bridge of Faith, is located in the Pam Bok Village in the Thung Yao Subdistrict of the Pai District in Mae Hong Son Province. It is approximately 10 kilometers from the city of Pai and stretches across the rice fields, providing a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. It has become a popular tourist attraction in Pai for visitors to experience the beauty of the area and take in the natural surroundings.
Travel time: The optimal season is Sept. – Nov., which is the farming season.
Cloudy Sea
Yun Lai Sea Mist Viewpoint, visitors can expect to see the fog enveloping the mountains and Pai’s houses, creating a picturesque and ethereal atmosphere. The viewpoint is the perfect place to go for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find some peace and tranquility in nature. Tourists can go to see the beautiful sunrise and the sea of mist surrounded by mountains. It is situated about 1.6 kilometers from Santichon Village in Wiang Tai Subdistrict, and is a popular spot for tourists to take in the stunning views of the area.
Travel time: Travel all year round But the suitable seasons are winter and rainy season.
Sai Ngam Hot Spring
The Sai Ngam Hot Spring is located in Ban Sai Ngam, Pai District, in the Mae Hong Son Province. It is situated about 15 kilometers from Pai town and can be reached by taking the Pai route to Pang Mapha and then continuing on to Mae Hong Son town. The hot spring is surrounded by lush trees and is located within the Sai Ngam Forest Conservation Area. It features a small basin that cascades down in layers like a waterfall, and the water is clear and green, allowing visitors to see the rocks and sand below.
Doi Miang
Doi Miang is a place located in Pai District that is known for its beautiful natural features and viewpoints. Visitors can appreciate the cool, shady atmosphere while taking in the stunning surroundings. From Doi Miang, you can see a wide view of the city of Pai, and the area has a consistently cold climate throughout the year. Even during the summer or rainy season, it is possible to catch glimpses of the morning mist and the sunrise over the city of Pai. If you happen to be visiting Doi Miang in mid-January, you may also be able to see the Nang Phaya Sua Krong flowers in bloom.
Doi Pui Kho
Doi Pui Kho is located in Sop Moei District and is known for its golden fields. It offers beautiful scenery and a panoramic view of the misty landscape, which can be enjoyed from every angle. From Doi Pui Kho, it is possible to watch the sunrise and sunset, and at night, the sky is full of stars. The hike to the top of the mountain is approximately 3 kilometers long and takes around an hour to complete, with some steep sections along the way. Although the hike may be a bit challenging, the stunning views of pure nature that can be found at the top are well worth the effort.
Travel time: The grass fields turn golden. January-February
