mae Hong Son Covers some 13,232 square kilometres, is bordered to the west and north by Myanmar (Burmar), and exhibits considerable Burmese influence in its religious architecture and rural lifestyles.
Some 920 kilometres north of Bangkok, the petite and sleepy provincial capital is most conveniently visited from the Thai capital by a daily Bangkok Airways flight. Thai Airways International also operates daily flights from Chiang Mai. Those who opt to travel by road from Chiang Mai, particularly from Chom Thong and Hot, will discover the journey entails negotiating many hairpin bends through forested mountains, and passing through much of the most enduringly spectacular scenery in northern Thailand.
The provincial capital nestles in a valley sheltered by jungled mountains. Besides being a dormitory town, with airconditioned resort hotel accommodation, bungalow complexes, guest-houses and spartan native-style hotels to suit every budget, the capital is the major provincial shopping centre for souvenirs -- which include hilltribe handicrafts and textiles, and a broad range of exotic traditional headgear. The capital also contains several noteworthy temples.
The most prominent, the hilltop Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, dominates the capital. The temple offers an exhilarating view of the provincial capital, its verdant valley and mountain surrounds, and was constructed by the first Mae Hong Son ruler during the mid-1800s.
Other Burmese-style temples include the lakeside Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham in the town centre which houses glass paintings and Burmese puppets, Wat Hua Wiang, and Wat Phra Non which contains a 12-metre Burmese-style reclining Buddha image.