Home to the famous backpacker town Pai, Mae Hong Son sees a steady flow of visitors who come to experience a slice of its peaceful rural lifestyle. This north-westernmost province bordering Burma is like another world, hemmed in on all sides by high mountain ranges. It boasts more than 80% of virgin forests, shrouded in mist all year round. From Mae Hong Son town, the next closest major city, Chiang Mai, is 368km away.
Mae Hong Son’s isolated location and pristine natural beauty makes it an ideal destination for those in search of serenity. Outside of Pai, which has transformed into a tourist hotspot, it offers little in terms of modern conveniences but a lot in terms of raw natural beauty. Waterfalls, hot springs, and forested caves dot Mae Hong Son’s endless rolling mountains, home to the Padong ethnic hill-tribe (Long-neck Karen), among others.
Salween National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is the perfect oasis for getting away from it all. Embark on a rafting journey down the scenic Salween River or camp out in the verdant jungle where nothing comes between you and nature. Equally stunning, with its mirror-like lake and lush, forested mountains, Baan Ruam Thai Coffee Village (known locally as Pang Ung) is another ideal camping destination.
