User:(WT-en) Maehongson

Explore Maehongson, Thailand Mae Hong Son, was naturally at the forefront of ecotourism, because its whole tourism drive started long before the term was coined. Ecotourism is the only kind of tourism Mae Hong Son has ever known. The tours were mainly into the greenwood areas of Mae Hong Son to visit the native communities and experience the lifestyle of those in the interior; to experience the flora and fauna of the forest; and to visit the waterfall and river of Mae Hong Son

Mae Hong Son is a land of three seasons, with gentle mists, and is surrounded by high mountains, which maintain a cool climate all year round. In the past, Mae Hong Son was little known to the outside world mainly from the lack of good transportation and communication. It has a strong Burmese influence that can be seen in the design of the provincial capital's many traditional temples and historical sites. Mae Hong Son has various attractions and interesting spots to visit. It is a revitalizing province, with numerous natural parks, where one can absorb the rejuvenating powers of the waterfall and explore the caves which are naturally decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. One can also enjoy a peaceful trip on the Pai river experiencing nature at its fullest, or join the sightseeing tour to the Karen village and visit with the Padong village people (Long Neck Karen)

Mae Hong Son is a picturesque town that is mist-shrouded all three season, It is always an ultimate dream of any traveler who wants to view a magnificent natural beauty of mountains, hills and pristine forest. It is a place of mountains, hills and pristine forest. It is a place where one travels through a mist screen to the land of Shangri-la.

Mae Hong Son is located in the top most northwest border of Thailand. Being a small town amidst a vast forest, its area is 90% mountainous and 10% flat plains. With this geography, Mae Hong Son provides a quite complete and balanced ecosystem.

History of Mae Hong Son City In the past, Mae Hong Son was formerly calles, "Mae Rong Son" which means a stream used for bathing and training of wild elephants. It was previously a forest settlement of Tai Yai. A villager named "Shan Ka Lae" initiated the native people to settle together in a place which they than established as "Khun Yuam" village. In 1874, the village developed into a town and the name was changed into "Mae Hong Son". Later, Prince Inthawichayanont of Chiang Mai realized the guardianship ability of Shan Ka Lae and promoted him to be Phraya Singhanat Raja, the first governor of Mae Hong Son.

The province of Mae Hong Son is the only province in the entire country that has been selected as one of the ten livable and beautiful cities in the world, is comprised of about 12,682 sq.km. making it the 7th largest province in the country. It consiste of 7 districts, namely:

Muang, Khun Yuam, Mae La Noi, Mae Sariang, Sob Muei, Pai and Pang Ma Pha.

The fascination of this land lies mainly on the purity of its nature, with its verdant forests and to wering mountains that always seen to fortify and protect its intrinsic culture from the rest of the country. This had capacitated the native people of Mae Hong Son to preserve their real and distinctive identity in terms of arts, culture and way of life. Hence tourists are allured to come and visit Mae Hong Son all the time.

Travel to Maehongson, Thailand Mae Hong Son is 924 km. far from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. From Chiang Mai, the distance from Mae Hong Son is 369 km through Highway 108 while through Highway 1095, the distance is only 245 km. If you travel by plan from Chiang Mai, it will only take you 25 minutes to reach the city of Mae Hong Son.

Muang district has numberous tourist and study tour destinations. For those who are fascinated with temples and their architecture, should never fail to visit the following places:

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, which is located on the top of Kong Mu hill, has existed with the town. The temple contain two pagodas. The bigger pagoda was built by "Jong Tong su" in 1860 while the smaller one was built in 1874 by " Phraya Singhanat Raja", the first Governor of Mae Hong Son.

Wat Hua Wiang, houses the image of Phra Chao Phra La Khaeng who is a revered Buddha of Mae Hong Son.

Wat Chong Kham is a very old Burmese-style temple. It houses a huge and revered statue of Luang Pho To,

Wat Chong Klang is found adjacent to Wat Chong Kham. It contains a spectacular marbled Buddha image and carved wooden dolls of persons and animals representing characters based on jataka tales of Buddha.

Wat Phra Non is found at the foot of Doi Kong Mu and contains a lying Buddha image of 12 meters long.

Chong Kham Lake is found in the center of the city. It is an original body of water which contains ever-flowing water the whole year through. It is resting park and is frequently used as a location for the staging of import traditions.

For visitors interested in visiting places of nature, Fish Cave national park should not be misses. It is located 17 km. north of Mae Hong Son in Tambon Huai Pha. Surrouding the area is a subterrane an stream and mountain forests. The water flows from the cave stream to the fish. There is a great number of craps.

Pha Sua waterfalls is found in Tam bon Mok Jam Pae, about 20 km. from the center of the city. This gorgeous waterfalls has six levels.

Not far from the Pha Sua waterfalls is the beautiful garden of the Pang Tong Royal Residence where once can see natural beauty and modern agriculture practices.

Fuether along one passes by the Ban Rak Thai and observe how tea plants are harvested including the way of life of old Chinese national soldiers who fled to settle in Mae Hong Son, Thailand.

Going back to the center of the city, the visitor can drop by the Queen's creative arts center. One can see and observe various native handicraft-making which represent the civilization and learning of the indigenous habitants of Mae Hong Son, Thailand.

Attractions in Muang District City and Nearby

Phaya Singha Nat Raja Monument : This monument is located on Khunlumprapas Road in Mae Hong Son city. The monument was named in honor of Charn Ka Lea, a Thai Yai (Shan) who gathered his people to settle down in Ban KhunYuam. In 1874, when this village had grown into a city, Pha Jao Inthawichayanon, the prince of Chiang Mai, granted Charn Ka Lea the title Phaya Singha Nat Raja, the first prince of Mae Hong Son, at the spot where the monument stands. From this spot you can clearly see Pra That Doi Kong Mu on the peak of the hill.

Wat Par That Doi Kong Mu : This temple is on the slopes of Doi Kong Mu to the east of Mae Hong Son city. To visit the temple take Highway 108 and turn left at the Phaya Singha Nat Paja monument, then follow the concrete road for 1.5 km up the hill until you reach the temple at the top. Originally named Wat Pli Doi, this temple is the most important place of worship in the city. The temple has two stunning chedis (pagodas). The larger one was built by Jong Tong Su in 1860 to house the relics of Mok Kha Lana, a great students of the Lord Buddha’s teachings. Which were brought from Burma. The other was built in 1874 by Phaya Singha Nat Paja, the first prince of Mae Hong Son. The temple offers visitors a beautiful birds-eye view of Mae Hong Son city. Various annual festivals are held at the temple including Songkran (Thai New Year) and Ok Pan Sa (the end of Buddhist Lent) with its Tak Baat Dao Wa Deung or Tak Baat Dewo ceremony recalling the Lord Buddha’ return from the second heaven

Wat Hua Wiang : Located in the city center behind the Mae Hong Son market, this temple features a beautiful Thai Yai style viharn building which houses the renowned Phra Chao Pha Pa La Khaeng Buddha image, a replica of an image in Myanmar.

Wat Jong Klang and Wat Jong Kham : Located near the Jong Kham lake, these temples house glass paintings and woodcarvings brought from Myanmar some 100 years ago. They look particularly beautiful when viewed from the lake.

Wat Pra Non : Located at the junction to Wat Pra That Doi Kong Mu, this temple contains a huge Burmese=style reclining Buddha image 12 meters in length. The temple also houses the ashes of former rulers of Mae Hong Son. Two massive stone lions guard the temple staircase.

Wat Kham Kor : Located opposite Wat Pra Non, this ancient temple is one of the symbols of Mae Hong Son. Built in 1890 the temple has certainly the equal of any later temple. Of particular note is the covered pathway leading to the entrance. The temple also houses a Thai Yai text book recounting the history of the Thai Yai and Jao Anorathamangchor, which has been translated into Thai by the abbot, Phra Maha boonrak Supanyo.

Morning Market : Close to Hua Wiang temple, the morning market is a good place for visitors to observe the tradition way of life of the Mae Hong Son people, and to see the colorful costumes of the Shan and Tribal folk who come here to buy local foods and fresh vegetables. The front of the market is also the perfect spot to watch the people making alms offerings to the monks in the early morning. The best time to visit is very early morning up to 09.00 am.

Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Training Center Mae Hong Son Arts : For decades one of the many royal duties of her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand is to accompany His Majesty the King during visit to people in all parts of kingdom. In 1980. During visit to people living in Huay Duea village at Mae Hong Son Province. Her Majesty perceived that most people were in poverty-stricken conditions. As a result Her Mafesty graciously extended her assistance towards the relief of poverty by creating supplementary occupations in order to increase family incense. Apart from above. Thai handicrafts folk arts and culture of Maehongson were continuously preserved for the next generations.