Mae Hong Son, Thailand's northern border city, hiding itself in between the towering mountains with densely forested slopes, stretching to the Burmese border. Maehongson is known for its charm of scenery and culture. The people of Maehongson consists of the Shans who live in the city and the hilltribe people who live in remote villages on mountain tops where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years.

The Shans' ancestors came from Shans region in Burma. The hilltribe people consist of Karen, Lisu, Mhong, Lahu, and Lua. Both the Shans and the hilltribemen have their own distinctive cultures. They have their own lilting dialect, their own architectural lifestyles, their own customs and traditions, and their own delicious cuisine. Throughout the year, Maehongson holds many festivals and events. Tourists can observe the distinction cultures from these events. There are different dances, rituals, and ceremonies for different events and festivals. Even the foods are different for each event.

The most remarkable tradition and also the most important event for the Shans is "Poy Sanglong Festival" which is the ordination ceremony for the Shans' boys. The event is held in March and there is one big celebration throughout the city.

The city is covered with the mist all year long. Mae Hong Son gains its nickname of "the City of Three Mists" from the fact that it has dewy mist in the winter, forest fire mist in the summer and rainy mist in the rainy season.


Thampla PhaSua National Park: This national park is in Mae Hong Son province, situated in an approximate area of 488 square kilometers or 305,000 rai, covering the areas of ThamPla-PhaSua Waterfall in the right hand side of Mae-pai National Conserved Forest, Muang District, and Pang Ma-pha Sub-district. The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains extending northwards, which are the sources of streams and rivers. The natural sightseeing spots at the National Park consist of ThamPla-PhaSua Waterfall, which are beautiful and very popular for recreational activities.

Thampla PhaSua Waterfall

Located at Tambon Huai Pha, 17 km away from Mae Hong Son city, on the way to the Pang Ma Pha district, is Tham Pla (Fish Cave). This hillside cave with flowing water throughout the year is home to a rare breed of blue-black fish, Soro Brooke Carp (Labeobarbus soroides) , which live in a water pool 2 m wide and 1.5 m deep. You can see the fish through the rock hole at the base of an outer wall of the cave. The fishes eat vegetables and insects such as crickets, although the locals believe them to be vegetarian and feed them only fruit and vegetables (which can be purchased at the park entrance).

Fish Cave in National Park

Fish (Pla pong) in Fish cave

The Hmong village hill tribe in Mae Hong Son were originally from Southern China and have been in Thailand for generations but do not have citizenship. Apparently the Hmong people are good businesspeople and quite wealthy but they are determined to preserve their culture and animist religion so they live very simply in basic huts with mud floors.

Hmong village in MaeHongSon

More pictures from Mea Hong Son

Phrathat Doi Gongmoo Temple is a Shan temple, built high up on the mountainside, on the west side of the town

Wat Jong Kham and Wat Jong Klang temples are situated on Jong Kham Lake and are oldest temples in Maehongson

Jong Kham Lake. In ancient times this lake was a natural water source in the center of the town

Wat Phra Non temple is located at the base of Gongmoo Mountain and houses a large Buddha statue. There is a museum of ancient tools, and the main hall has a roof decorated in the Shan style with galvanized iron

The Buddha statue in Hua Wieng temple was brought from Burma and is designed in the Mandalay style

Kamkoh temple is also situated at the foot of Gong Moo Mountain, across from Phra Non temple and has beautifully decorated galvanized iron roofs

Pha bong hot sping