Stretching along the border of Myanmar, Northern Thailand’s hilly northwestern province is an idyllic region of emerald-green forests, lush rice paddies, and mist-shrouded mountains. It's also home to the backpacker hub of Pai and several ethnic minority villages. If you enjoy hiking to caves and waterfalls or trekking to remote hill tribe settlements, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Mae Hong Son. Explore the scenic Mae Hong Son Loop by car or motorbike, visit the markets and temples of Mae Sariang, or stroll the famous Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge through the rice fields.
The dry and cool months of November through February are the most pleasant time to visit Mae Hong Son, especially if you want to trek to rural villages. Wild sunflowers bloom around Doi Mae U Kho in November and December and are celebrated in the Bua Tong Blossom Festival each November. If you don’t mind summer's hot and humid temperatures, the colorful Poy Sang Long Festival in March or April is the region’s biggest annual event.
The well-trodden tourist trail that links nearby Chiang Mai with Mae Hong Son town is known as the Mae Hong Son Loop and passes many of the region’s most popular towns and attractions. You’ll need your own transport—most travelers rent a car or motorbike—or to join a tour to explore the 375-mile (604-kilometer) route. Alternatively, regular buses connect Pai, Mae Sariang, and Mae Hong Son with Chiang Mai.
It’s worth planning a couple of days in the provincial capital, Mae Hong Son Town, where highlights include the local markets and the hilltop Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu—go there at sunrise or sunset for the best views. Plan at least two day trips: one to the traditional Yunnanese village of Ban Rak Thai to tour the tea plantations and sample the Chinese-style cuisine, and another to Pang Ung Lake to camp at a tranquil lakeside spot.
